GA/TA and Grad Students

GATA Winter Academy

Help get the new semester off to an informed and prepared start by attending GATA Winter Academy. Like GATAcademy that’s held in the Fall, we’ll host a variety of workshops for undergraduate and graduate teaching assistants, but unlike GATAcademy, these workshops will be spread across two weeks, instead of packed into one day.

Read more about GATA Winter Academy or find out how to register.

GA / TA Development Opportunities at the CTL!

The Centre for Teaching and Learning’s GA/TA development program is just getting started. With your participation and support, it will continue to grow.

If you wish to make use of any of the services listed below, or would like more information, please contact Michael K. Potter at pottermk@uwindsor.ca.
 

GA / TA Services Presently Offered

GATA Network. The GATA Network Development Team works with GAs and TAs across campus, introducing them to mentors and resources they will need to improve their pedagogical knowledge and skills. The members of the team are: Betsy Keating, GATA Network Coordinator (keatin2@uwindsor.ca), and Candace Nast, GATA Digital Outreach Coordinator (candace@uwindsor.ca). The GATA Network Development Team uses social media to connect students online. They are on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GATAnetwork (@GATAnetwork), Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GATAnetwork, and will soon be launching a group blog. On campus, new and experienced GAs and TAs can meet face-to-face at learning communities, workshops, and practice sessions.

Towards Better Teaching - GATA Network Blog
The GATA Network blog has a full publishing schedule. Monday to Friday, readers can find information on the theory behind teaching and learning, tips, dilemmas, scenarios, videos, comics from our own in-house comic artist, profiles of UWindsor GAs and TAs, and information about upcoming workshops, guest speakers, and special events. Comments and questions are welcome.

GATAcademy. Active-learning workshop event for GAs and TAs of all levels. Topics addressed include GA / TA professionalism, grading, facilitating discussions, lecturing, and mentoring/tutoring. Presently available only for GAs and TAs in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Science.

Learning-Centred Teaching in Higher Education: Principles and Practices (graduate course). A 3-credit course open to graduate students from all faculties that introduces issues, concepts, trends, and effective practices in university teaching and learning as well as a multitude of approaches to systematically improve instruction. You will learn how to find and use scholarly information about teaching and learning, which you can use to deal strategically with common issues and topics.  Course content includes active learning methods in large classes, diversity and inclusivity, teaching critical thinking and problem solving skills, case-based teaching, discussion-based teaching, and the use of feedback to support learning.  You are expected to adapt what you learn to suit your own disciplinary teaching context.  Enrollment is limited.

Course Design for Constructive Alignment (graduate course).  A 3-credit course open to graduate students from all faculties that introduces you to effective principles and practices regarding syllabus creation, sequencing of course content, cohesion of a course with other courses, identifying what students can be expected to know, predicting time needed for completion of course requirements, creating effective learning outcomes, aligning outcomes with lessons and assessments to support deep learning, and using multiple means to regularly evaluate the quality of the course and teaching.  By the end of the course, you should have a well-designed course that any department in your discipline should be pleased to offer.  You will be encouraged to seek out models of exemplary courses in your own discipline. Enrollment is limited.

Leading Effective Discussions (half course). A six-week half-course in which you will learn about, and practice using, discussion-based teaching methods. Enrollment is limited.

Lecturing and Presentation (half course). A six-week half-course in which you will learn about, and practice using, pedagogically sound lecturing and presentation techniques. Enrollment is limited.

Online Education (half course). A six-week half-course in which you will learn about, and practice using, online education techniques suitable to face-to-face, hybrid, and online courses. Enrollment is limited.

GA/TA Learning Communities. GAs and TAs are invited to sign up for a learning community at the onset of each academic year.  Each learning community is a group of 5-10 GAs or TAs that meets biweekly for eight months to share experiences and advice, take advantage of professional development opportunities, provide support, and generally work together to develop as teachers.

Classroom Observations. GAs and TAs who want feedback on their teaching may request a classroom/laboratory/tutorial observation, followed by confidential written and verbal advice about both strengths and recommended changes.

Teaching Dossier Academy.  A week-long summer event involving workshops and mentoring to help you create a teaching dossier that presents you at your best. 

Teaching Dossier Support.  Preparing for the job market?  Applying for a sessional position?  The CTL is happy to provide advice, mentoring, and support to help you create stellar teaching dossiers -- throughout the year.

Individual Consultations.  We are available throughout the year to meet with you to discuss teaching and learning issues, methodologies, philosophies . . . if it's about teaching and learning, we're happy to chat!

Teaching and Learning Workshops.  Throughout the year the CTL offers a variety of teaching and learning workshops open to all members of the University of Windsor community -- including GAs and TAs.  Keep an eye on our website for details.