University-Wide Graduate Assistant Orientation Programme

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN UNIVERSITY LEARNING, TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT CENTRE (LTAC) University-Wide Graduate Assistant Orientation Programme Blue Hall–RD Building (Business and Economics Faculty) September 30, 2005 http://ltac.emu.edu.tr

08:30-08:45WELCOME • Prof. Dr. Ayhan Bilsel • Vice Rector for Research • 08:45-09:10POLICIES AND REGULATIONS ON GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP • Dr. Hüseyin Aktuğlu • Assistant Director, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research • 09:10-09:30FACILITIES AND RESOURCES • Dr. Mehmet Garip • Chair, Learning, Teaching and Assessment Centre (LTAC) • 09:30-10:30GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR THE CLASSROOM • Prof. Dr. Sabri Koç • Dean, Faculty of Education • 10:30-11:00BREAK • 11:00-12:00EFFECTIVENESS IN TEACHING • Prof. Dr. Ahmet Konrot • Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Sciences • 12:00-12:30DEALING WITH DIFFICULT STUDENTS • Dr. Nalan Sanlı Richards • Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Sciences • 12:30-13:00EVALUATION OF PROGRAM & CONCLUDING REMARKS • Dr. Mehmet Garip

EMU FACILITIES AND RESOURCES A MS Word formatted copy of the “Information Sheet” distributed to the participants can be accessed by clicking on this link.

EMU FACILITIES AND RESOURCES THE REGISTRAR’S OFFICE Keeps students files and records; provides transcripts, student forms, permission for leave of absence, graduation documents and has information related to scholarships. The Office also functions as a bridge between Turkish nationals and the Turkish Embassy in Lefkoşa.

EMU FACILITIES AND RESOURCES • PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING GUIDANCE AND RESEARCH CENTER (PDRAM) • help students in developing skills to overcome emotional, social and academic difficulties • enable them to solve their problems for themselves. • The counseling Center offers various discussion groups. including: • Coping with stress. • Coping with exam Anxiety. • Effective study skill. • Learning to control your self. • Improving Communication Skills. • services are free of charge, and strictly confidential • open every weekday (Monday to Friday) 09.00am:16.00pm • PDRAM is located within the premises of Health Center on EMU campus,

EMU FACILITIES AND RESOURCES EMU STUDENT COUNCIL EMU Student Council consists of 20 students elected at the beginning of each academic year by fellow students. The Council has two elected members from each faculty, Serves as a bridge between the Rector’s Office and the students The President of the International Student Association at EMU also has representative powers within the Council.

EMU FACILITIES AND RESOURCES • STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER • EMU Student Activity Center provides students with a much needed outlet for their creative and recreational energy. There are more than 50 student clubs. Membership is free. • INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION • The ISA is the voice of international students at EMU. • ISA work in close collaboration with the International Center • ISA is actively involved in various multicultural activities and events. • Memberships in all societies are free and students are welcome to register with the International Center.

EMU FACILITIES AND RESOURCES SPORTS FACILITIES The campus offers students the possibility of participating in all kinds of sports activities in the sports complex for indoor sports; the grass football pitch; the stadium for track and field events, outdoor basketball, volleyball, tennis courts, the Astroturf football pitch and the mini golf course. For more information please contact the Lala Mustafa Pasha Sports Complex Reception Desk at 630-2328.

EMU FACILITIES AND RESOURCES • HEALTH CENTER • Services include ENT, Dental services, Internal Medicine, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Gynecology, Cardiology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, first-aid/emergency, vaccination and dressing services. • Ambulance service on call during workdays. • Student ID Card or Student Form for registration with the Health Center. • Examinations, first aid / emergency services, vaccinations and dressings are free of charge. • Patients have to pay a nominal fee for dental treatments. • X-ray and laboratory services available in private labs in Famagusta which have discounted services EMU STUDENTS .

EMU FACILITIES AND RESOURCES SECURITY The EMU Security Office bears the responsibility of the security of the people within and around the campus area to provide a peaceful working and studying environment. In case of emergency within the campus area call: EMU Security Office: 1444 Traffic Office: 1155 Night Watchman: 1566 Emergency Service: 112 Firemen: 199 Police: 155

ROLES of THE TEACHING ASSISTANTS • THE TA AS TEACHER • Incorporating the following strategies into your teaching approach should enhance student motivation, intellectual commitment, academic achievement, social interaction, and personal development. • Develop and use strategies • for encouraging student contact both in and out of classes; • for actively involving students in learning tasks; • for encouraging students to work with each other; • for providing frequent opportunities for students to perform and receive suggestions for improvement; • for setting high but attainable goals for students; • for working with the different talents and styles of learning that students bring to the University

ROLES of THE TEACHING ASSISTANTS • Improving Your Teaching • Ask the students • Ask a faculty member • Practice • Observe successful teachers • Learn about teaching • Learn about learning • Keep track of what you've done.

ROLES of THE TEACHING ASSISTANTS • THE TA AS GRADUATE STUDENT • Remember that you have responsibilities to yourself as well. Learn to manage your time and effort so that you have time for your own studies and research, and maintain a personal life. Often, TAs are caught among these differing and competing roles and can become frustrated and suffer from stress. • Ways to deal with (control) stress: • Be more assertive about refusing requests. • Set priorities. • Learn to relax • Think Positive • Don’t shy away from seeking help from • Senior/experienced TAs • Faculty members

ROLES of THE TEACHING ASSISTANTS • THE TA AS STUDENT ADVISOR-OFFICE HOURS • Be as approachable as possible. Make her/him feel welcome. Create a relaxed, pleasant atmosphere in which communication is natural and easy. • Rely on the student to tell you what s/he has come to see you about. You may suspect some hidden problem, but you should not press the student to disclose it. • Listen to your students when they come to your office. Give them your undivided attention. • You should realize that you won't always be able to provide the answers or information that are needed. If you are helping a student with the material for your own course, there is nothing wrong with saying, “I don't know, but I can find out”

ROLES of THE TEACHING ASSISTANTS THE TA AS FACULTY-STUDENT LIAISON Your position is between the status of instructor and the status of student. Allows you to play the role of liaison between faculty and undergraduates You can communicate to each the needs, desires, understandings and misunderstandings of the other.

ROLES of THE TEACHING ASSISTANTS • THE TA AS ASSISTANT TO FACULTY • Negotiate Responsibilities with your supervisor

ROLES of THE TEACHING ASSISTANTS ETHICS AND THE TEACHING ASSISTANT There are numerous aspects of the TA role that potentially involve ethical dilemmas of one sort or another. Your roles as advisor, evaluator, administrator of exams, authority figure, and peer have the potential to become problematic at times, often because they present conflicting demands.

ROLES of THE TEACHING ASSISTANTS Assisting Emotionally Troubled Students Consult with supervisor and refer student to PDRAM

ROLES of THE TEACHING ASSISTANTS • Academic Honesty • Scholarship is at home only in an atmosphere of honest practice by both students and faculty. • All members of the academic community should conduct themselves in a straightforward and honorable manner. • Faculty should • make appropriate preparations for all student-teacher encounters, • meet classes as scheduled, • evaluate students' work fairly and impartially, and • be prompt for prearranged conferences and regularly scheduled office hours. • not use inappropriate language in the classroom, • not make off-color remarks or jokes in class as well as in personal conferences, and • not deviate from the course topic • In turn, students should fulfill in a reasonable way the requirements and expectations of the course as stated by the instructor.

ROLES of THE TEACHING ASSISTANTS • Exam Invigilation • Follow and abide by the instructions on the examination duty sheet. • If during an exam you suspect cheating, approach the student quietly and warn him. Should he persist, then make a note of his name and number on the exam report sheet and report it to your chair immediately. • Avoid getting in to an argument or open conflict with the student concerned.

ROLES of THE TEACHING ASSISTANTS • Privacy of Student Records • Take care that student records are not revealed to anyone other than the student. • If you post grades of any kind, be certain to use only the students’ University ID number.

ROLES of THE TEACHING ASSISTANTS • Preventing Student Grievances • Poor communication. • be specific and clear in all communications to students about your assignments, expectations, and standards. • Perceived unfairness. • Be available to meet with students outside of class • recognize legitimate extenuating circumstances • Be sure students know your procedures • Consistency of treatment

ROLES of THE TEACHING ASSISTANTS • Sexual Harrassment • unwelcome sexual advances, whether they involve physical touching or not; • sexual jokes, written or oral references to sexual conduct, gossip regarding one’s sex life; • comment on an individual’s body, comment about an individual’s sexual activity; • displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures or cartoons; • unwelcome leering, whistling, brushing against the body, sexual gestures, suggestive or insulting comments; • inquiries into one’s sexual experiences; • discussion of one’s sexual activities.

ROLES of THE TEACHING ASSISTANTS • Language • Make sure that you are loud and clear. • Avoid using long and complicated words, and complicated language. • Take care with your pronunciation and talking speed.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE THE END

University-Wide Graduate Assistant Orientation Programme