TA Orientation
Agenda
8:15 – 8:45
8:45 – 9:00
9:10 - 10:10
10 :20 - 11 :20
11 :30 - 12 :30
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REGISTRATION
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WELCOME CAMPUS CENTER AUDITORIUM
John McCarthy, Dean of the Graduate School
Mary Deane Sorcinelli, Associate Provost for Faculty Development
Mei-Yau Shih, Associate Director, Center for Teaching & Faculty
Development
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CONCURRENT SESSION I
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CONCURRENT SESSION II
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CONCURRENT SESSION III
Advice From TAs to TAs at UMass
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Congratulations!
2012 – 2013 TA Distinguished Teaching Award Recipients
Edward Erikson, Political Science
Alix Olson, Political Science
www.umass.edu/ctfd
9:10 - 10:10
Concurrent Session I
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Room TBA
Leading Effective Discussions
Room TBA
This session will focus on how instructors create a class environment in which
students are eager to participate. TAs will discuss such skills as establishing
trust, raising questions, and creating curiosity about the
topic at hand.
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Teaching to All Learners
Knowing how people learn helps instructors make successful teaching
decisions. This session provides a summary of what is known about
college student learning as well as strategies for promoting learning in
and outside of your class.
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Room TBA
The First Day of Class
Room TBA
This session helps you prepare and shape your first day of class. It can provide
a "road map" for a successful course.
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Effective Grading
Room TBA
Instructors and students alike benefit from a thoughtful and comprehensive
approach to assessing and grading student performance. Strategies for
identifying learning outcome objectives, clarifying grading criteria, and timely
communication of expectations will be discussed.
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Leading Effective Discussions in Science Labs
Room TBA
This session offers a guide to help TAs develop good skills for leading science
discussions. Topics include preparation, in-class time management, group work
issues, raising questions, and creating curiosity.
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Responding to Student Writing
This session will suggest methods for providing timely and instructive
responses to writing, appropriate to the nature of an assignment; evaluating
fairly; and using your time efficiently.
www.umass.edu/ctfd
10:20 - 11:20
Concurrent Session II
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Room TBA
Balancing Work, Study, and Life
The flexible schedule of a graduate student can be a wonderful thing
but it also requires one to be self-directed and to balance competing
priorities. This session will provide practical strategies for becoming a
productive, well-rounded, and happy academic.
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Room TBA
Strategies for Engaging Students in Large (and Small) Classes
TAs will identify essentials for establishing an environment that fosters
respectful and courteous behavior. Discussion will focus on teaching
techniques designed to enhance student attention, participation, and interest.
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Room TBA
The First Day of Class
This session helps you prepare and shape your first day of class. It can provide a
"road map" for a successful course.
____________________________________________________________
Room TBA
Effective Grading
Instructors and students alike benefit from a thoughtful and comprehensive
approach to assessing and grading student performance. Strategies for
identifying learning outcome objectives, clarifying grading criteria, and timely
communication of expectations will be discussed.
Room TBA
International TAs and Cross-Cultural Teaching Issues
This session offers international TAs the opportunity to discuss language
and cross-cultural issues, inter-cultural communication, interpersonal
dynamics and the assumptions, expectations and culture of American
college students. A panel of university faculty and graduate students will
share first-hand experiences and strategies for success with participants.
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Room TBA
Instructional Technology Resources for TAs
Need help integrating technology into your class? This session will give
you an overview of the support and services available through the Office
of Information Technologies (OIT), including tools such as UDrive, Moodle,
UMass Blogs, and other instructional technologies.
www.umass.edu/ctfd
11:30 - 12:30
Concurrent Session III
Advice From TAs to TAs at UMass
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Room TBA
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Heidi Bauer-Clapp, Anthropology
Jillian Crocker, Sociology
Room TBA
Professional Schools
Mujde Yuksel, Sport Management
Alyson Prokop, Nursing
Room TBA
Humanities and Fine Arts
Una Tanavic, Comparative Literature
Shannon Farley, Comparative Literature
Room TBA
College of Natural Sciences
Emily Manoogian, Neuroscience & Behavior Program
Holley Friedlander, Mathematics
www.umass.edu/ctfd