|
Section
Contents
If You Are TAing for the First Time
Other TAs: The Best Resource Around
Evaluating Your Teaching
Asking for Feedback
Developing a Teaching Dossier
Seven Principles for Good Practice
in Undergraduate Education
Twelve Principles of Effective Teaching
and Learning
Improving Your Teaching |
Improving Your Teaching
(Source: Adapted from 'Handbook for Teaching Assistants,' University
of Massachusetts Amherst, 1996)
As was mentioned in the introduction to this section, teaching can help
you develop a variety of skills that are valuable in a multitude of careers.
The following ideas summarize some of the strategies we have discussed
in this section:
- Talk to other TAs. Discuss your teaching ideas with them or
ask them to observe you when you are teaching. Use the TA web site to
get some responses to your questions or concerns.
- Practice. Try out some of the grading or discussion techniques
that have been presented in this handbook. Use different adaptations until
you find a collection of techniques that are effective for you and your
students. Remember that experience is one of the key components that positively
impacts feelings of effectiveness.
- Ask for feedback. Remember that you will probably get a range
of responses from your students. Try to identify the major issues and
ways you can work to improve those areas.
- Learn from the best. Think back to some of the "great"
teachers you have had. What made them effective? Go and observe some
outstanding teachers or TAs in your department or the University. Talk
to them about their teaching style and the techniques they find effective.
- Complete self-scoring inventories. Use lists of best practices
to help you reflect on your strenghs and areas for improvement.
- Learn about teaching and learning.
- Use this Handbook and the TA web site for basic information and follow
the links to other sources of information.
- Consider enrolling in the graduate course University Teaching: Theory
and Practice, which is a credit course, offered through Teaching Support
Services. Contact Teaching Support Services for more information.
- Drop by the Teaching Resource Centre in Day Hall or visit the web site.
We have a wide variety of books, journals, pamphlets and videotapes on
teaching and learning issues.
- Keep track of what you have done. Consider developing a teaching
dossier or at least keep a file on the courses you have TA'ed and any feedback
you have received.
 Previous Section | Next Section 
|
