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TA- ing Laboratory Courses. Kristine Stump TA Training Workshop August 2012. Key Components for Lab TAs . Preparation Lab time Grading. Preparation: Your Knowledge. Know your material…well Review readings Discuss with professor Attend class if necessary Anticipate questions
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TA-ing Laboratory Courses Kristine Stump TA Training Workshop August 2012
Key Components for Lab TAs • Preparation • Lab time • Grading
Preparation: Your Knowledge • Know your material…well • Review readings • Discuss with professor • Attend class if necessary • Anticipate questions • Know your procedures • Practice-run
Preparation: The Lesson • Lesson Plans • Engage, explore, explain, extend, evaluate • Allow enough time • Write specific procedures • Repetition, repetition, repetition… • Prepare well ahead of time (*MPO uses real-time data, work may be last minute) • Syllabus • Plan, write and distribute it early S. Bignami 2011
Preparation: The Lab • Laboratory setup • Inventory materials early (2wks or earlier) • Be organized, use labels, etc. • Set up before students arrive
Lab Time: Expectations • Clear Expectations • Clarify your lab role with the professor • Be explicit about the students’ roles in lab • Provide details about lab schedule, grading, etc. • Set make-up lab/test policies, etc.
Lab Time: Introduction and Activity • Introduction • Use various resources and teaching methods • Engage students with questions and excitement • Incorporate past material • Discuss rules/safety procedures • Activity • Walk the room • Don’t give answers • Stop and discuss to stay together
Grading • Be clear and explicit at the beginning! • Use rubrics • Discuss with professor • Provide to students in advance • Incorporate assessment regularly • Give constructive feedback • Take notes during lab to guide grading/testing later
Group Discussion • What labs were your favorite and why? Least favorite? • Which TAs were your favorite and why? Least favorite? • What concerns do you have about teaching a lab?