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Teaching Labs. Spring 2013 Orientation Suraj Sindia – Electrical Engineering Erica Snipes – Physics. Outline. Differences from traditional lecture Before During After Notes for international TAs Questions. Differences From Traditional Lecture. More direct contact with students
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Teaching Labs Spring 2013 Orientation SurajSindia – Electrical Engineering Erica Snipes – Physics
Outline • Differences from traditional lecture • Before • During • After • Notes for international TAs • Questions
Differences From Traditional Lecture • More direct contact with students • Hands on • Smaller class sizes • Working with a lead professor • Working with other GTAs • Less flexibility over material covered
Before the Semester Starts • Know who is in charge • Know your responsibilities for the time • Know how much time should be spent grading, in lab, etc. • Coordinate on a grading scheme for assignments
Before Each Lab • Read the procedure • Talk to other TAs who have done the lab before • Try it yourself • Prepare any recitation materials • Arrive 10-15 min early
During the First Lab • Introduce yourself, get to know your students • Give your students a way to get in contact with you • Go over safety guidelines • Lead by example • Cover the syllabus
During Each Lab • Wander, interact with students • Answer questions with questions • Give honest answers, if you don’t know, say so • Be clear about what is expected with each lab activity • Clean up after each lab
After Lab • Stay in touch with other TAs • Stay in touch with your professor • Grade • Return graded work to students quickly • Keep organized • Answer student questions/concerns
Be Friendly But Not Friends • Do: • Dress professionally • Follow lab rules • Encourage student interaction • Set boundaries • Don’t: • Play favorites • Be “Facebook Friends” • Go hit the bar after lab with students
International TA Notes • Be sure you are within your 20 hour/week limit • In Summer you can do more than 20 hours, talk to your International Advisor, if you have specific questions
International TA Notes • Remembering student names • Use Blackboard toolkit for student roster • Mnemonic position chart • Personally returning assignments • Encourage students to visit you during office hours • More tips available at: http://auburngtasurvivalguide.pbworks.com/w/page/59684952/Remembering%20Students%20Names%20by%20Rick%20Sheridan
International TA Notes • Dealing with Unfamiliar Material • Attend the theory classes • Read up any prescribed text for the subject • Talk to past and current GTA who have taught this lab in the past • Do the experiment yourself before the actual lab