I’m a New TA at Howard University: Now What???

1. I’m a New TA at Howard University: Now What??? Orlando L. Taylor, Ph.D. Vice Provost for Research & Graduate Dean Terrolyn P. Carter Coordinator, Preparing Future Faculty Alliance for Graduate Education & the Professoriate

2. Teaching Assistant vs. Teaching Associate • Teaching Associates are instructors of record and have sole responsibility for a course—usually with faculty supervision. • Teaching Assistants provide assistance (e.g., grading papers, tutoring students, some lecturing) to a faculty member teaching a course or provide instruction to students in discussion groups or lab sections.

3. TAs May Play Multiple Roles • Instructor, student advisor, mentor, and administrator—while remaining a graduate student! • The instructor role involves both teaching AND learning. • The TAs job is to enhance students’ understanding of their field of study. • TAs MUST constantly seek ways to enhance teaching skills and effectiveness (student learning).

4. Advantages of Being a TA • It stimulates your OWN learning!! • Allows you to find out what teaching is really like. • Provides hands-on preparation for a faculty career. • Shows future college and university employers that you’ve had faculty-like experiences. • Enhances your interaction, communication, and organizational skills. • Allows opportunities to enhance learning about your field for the next generation.

5. TA Responsibilities • They vary according to the type of TA appointment AND across disciplines and faculty supervisors. • Attending main lectures might be required for teaching assistants leading separate discussion or lab sessions. • Promptness and Regular Class Attendance. • Keeping office hours. • Meeting and/or advising and/or mentoring students. • Evaluating performance and maintaining records. • Writing of Assisting with writing examinations.

6. Teaching the Howard Undergraduate Student • TAs mainly teach 1st & 2nd year undergraduates. • Approximately 7,000 undergraduates attend Howard. • They come from virtually all states and MANY countries. • They are predominantly African American, but also MANY come from other ethnic/racial groups. • Instructional methods MUST consider non-major students. • Instructional methods SHOULD consider different learning styles which may require varied teaching/learning models (e.g., lectures, problem-based, Socratic, problem-based, etc.).

7. TA-Student Relationships • You MUST establish & maintain a professional role in and out of the classroom. • Maintain a balance between friendliness and professionalism. • Inform students how you want them to address you. • Mutual respect should be maintained. This is important to the learning process.

8. Possible Challenges For TAs • Managing your time as a TA and graduate student. • Students challenging your authority. • Grade disputes by students. • Student-to-student conflict in the classroom. • Limited Departmental Support!

9. Meeting The Class For The First Time • Develop rapport with students • Use ice breakers to learn more about students, for students to learn about one another, and for students to learn more about YOU! • Explain to students your role as a TA and describe your primary responsibilities. • Introduce or Review the Course Syllabus • Allow students time to read and discuss it. • Be sure students understand the primary instructor’s expectations or your own as a teaching assistant.

10. Meeting the Class… • Introduce the Textbook(s) • Explain features that led you or the primary instructor choosing the book(s). • Describe how they can best learn from it. • Assessing Prior Knowledge • Helps with determining student learning. • Ask students about previous courses taken that might contribute to your class. • Give a short non-credit test to assess basic knowledge on course topic.

11. Meeting the Class … • Questions • Allow time for students to ask you questions about the course from grading process to successful study tips. • Provide a General Review of Course Subject Matter • Introduce sections of course (WITH ENTHUSIASM)!!!

12. Enhancing Your Teaching Skills and Effectiveness • Seek teaching development seminars/workshops on/off campus. • Ask a peer and/or departmental faculty member to observe your teaching and provide feedback. • Reflect on your teaching; document your teaching experiences and achievements in a teaching portfolio. • Create an evaluation/assessment form for students to provide feedback about you as a instructor or TA. • View teaching/learning as a scholarly activity. • Engage in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL).