Teaching Tips and Techniques
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Tips for TAs
For many, being a teaching assistant (TA) is the essential first step in preparing to become a professor. As a TA, you will assist faculty in the instruction, advising, and evaluation of students.
This can be both extraordinarily rewarding as well as extraordinarily challenging. The challenge is to maneuver comfortably in the TA role.
Create A Positive Classroom Climate On The
Very First Day
First impressions matter in most situations and
especially in the classroom. You might be concerned
about your role as an authority figure. Can you
effectively lead discussions, interact with students
in a positive manner, and handle difficulties which
may arise? Anxiety about your ability in this area
can manifest itself in a dogmatic, dictatorial manner;
or conversely, as a relinquishment of discipline
and authority. The first few classes will help shape
how your students view you during the next ten weeks.
Speak clearly and confidently, establish your credentials
within the discipline, show evidence of organization
and preparation, and take steps to start the quarter
with firm, but gracious control of your classroom.
Let your students know that you are there to enhance their learning. You will guide them through the material, but you are neither a crutch nor a substitute for their hard work. Tentativeness may be interpreted as weakness. It is important to gain the respect of your students early on. Reflect upon those role models whose teaching you admired and consider how you could adapt the positive aspects of what impressed you while still being yourself.
Address Problems Before They Escalate
Address behavior that is disrespectful or disruptive
as soon as possible. If you don't, students might
think you are not bothered by that type of behavior
or that you are powerless to deal with it. If you
choose not to deal with that type of negative behavior
in front of the entire class, inform the problem
student that you will meet immediately after the
class. If you do not take action, such behavior
might continue and escalate. It is possible that
some students might not like you or the way you
teach, but you have the right to be treated with
respect.
Be Competent And Professional
If you are unfamiliar with the course materials
and exhibit a poor background in the subject, you
will have a difficult time gaining students' respect
in the classroom. You should be knowledgeable in
your discipline and comfortable with the course
materials. However, if you cannot answer a question
or need more time to respond to a situation, do
not be evasive, but indicate that you will check
on the information and report back to the class.
Students can be very perceptive when you are bluffing.
Recognize that a lack of respect for you because
of perceived incompetence can result in students'
taking advantage of the situation and taking the
class requirements and their own work less seriously.
Show that you are serious about your position by being on time for sections and office hours, being equitable and fair in the classroom, grading fairly and returning graded material promptly, and by holding yourself to the highest standards of professionalism and expecting the same of your students.
At the end of the quarter, use your TA evaluations constructively. Look for repeated comments, but know that irrelevant comments, such as comments about your clothing, race, religion, gender, or sexuality, are inappropriate. Students often write inappropriate comments based on their own performance in the course or preconceived notions about what they expect in a teacher; these comments should not affect your feelings of confidence or self-esteem.
Maintain Personal And Professional Boundaries
TAs generally occupy a more casual space than teaching
faculty. Students often see TAs as peers as well
as mentors. This can cause problems when students
overstep their boundaries and infringe upon the
TAs' boundaries. You can have an informal classroom
atmosphere in which a great deal of productive learning
goes on and still maintain personal and professional
boundaries. Provide ways for students to contact
you. It is generally inadvisable to give your home
phone number to your students. Provide an office
phone number or a place where they can send messages.
If you use e-mail, establish hours or times when
you will be able to respond to questions. Many students
are not aware that TAs are also full-time students,
so it is important to indicate that you will respond
to their concerns in a timely fashion, but that
you are not always available.
Work with your course instructor as well to establish guidelines before the class begins. Find out what your responsibilities are and what is expected of you. Clarify the time commitment within the rhythms of the quarter so that you can plan when more intensive work will be required and when you might be able to devote more time to other professional obligations including your own research, studies, meetings, and conference presentations, etc.
Seek Professional Guidance
You are in the early stages of professional development
as a neophyte instructor and as such, you will look
to your professor for guidance both in your teaching
and in your professional development. You might
want to look at the faculty within your discipline
and seek out those who can provide a positive mentoring
experience.
TA training is an ongoing process at UCSD. The Center for Teaching Development (CTD, 307 Center Hall, 534-6767) supports the academic departments in providing this training. Each new TA must attend an training session at the beginning of the first quarter of teaching that provides instruction in leading discussion, laboratory, and problem-solving sessions, guidance in establishing positive learning situations (classroom management, ethics, issues of academic dishonesty, diversity, equity, and sexual harassment), evaluation and grading. Midway during the quarter there will be a classroom observation by one of the Center's TA consultants. At that time students are asked to respond to questionnaires which are then reviewed by the TA and the consultant in a feedback conference. For international teaching assistants, the Center provides additional services such as classes in language and cross-cultural issues.
In addition to the support provided by the Center for Teaching Development, each department has a Faculty TA Adviser, a Senior TA, and a graduate coordinator. Several of the departments and the college writing programs provide intensive training for their TAs as well.
Think Positively
Taking the TA role seriously, being prepared and
professional, knowing who you are personally, working
comfortably within your own teaching style, and
seeking professional guidance can work to your advantage
and can help you have a rewarding experience as
a teaching assistant.
Center for Teaching Development
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093-0030
Phone: (858) 534-6767
Fax: (858) 822-0318
