Agenda for TA Orientation - The Graduate School

Teaching Assistant Orientation
Monday, August 19 and Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Arkansas Union / Hillside Auditorium
Monday, August 19
7:45‐8:15 Registration ~ Arkansas Union International Connections Lounge
8:15‐8:25 Welcome ~Dr. Sharon Gaber, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Arkansas Union Theater (4 th floor)
8:25‐9:20 General Session ‐‐ The Administrative Side of Teaching ~ Union Theater
9:20 – 9:30 Break
9:30 – 10:20 Breakout Sessions:
Fundamentals of teaching ~ refer to your folder for location
Course development ~ refer to your folder for location
Advanced teaching techniques (for experienced TAs only) Room 507
10:20‐10:30 Break
10:30 – 11:20 Breakout Sessions:
Fundamentals of teaching ~ refer to your folder for location
Course development ~ refer to your folder for location
Advanced teaching techniques (for experienced TAs only) Room 507
11:20 – 11:30 Break
11:30 – 12:00 General Session ‐‐ Best Practices ~ Union Ballroom
12:00 – 12:20 Academic integrity – Dr. Monica Holland
12:20 – 1:30 Lunch and Discussion
2:00 – 3:00 International TAs session – Room 512‐514
Tuesday, August 20
7:45‐8:15 Registration ~ Hillside Auditorium
8:15‐8:25 Welcome
Dr. Todd Shields, Dean of the Graduate School and International Education
8:25 – 9:45 Managing the Classroom – Part 1
9:45 – 10:00 Break
10:00 – 11:00 Managing the Classroom – Part 2
11:15 – 12:00 Sexual Harassment Training, Office of Affirmative Action and Compliance
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch and table discussion – Arkansas Union Ballroom
Next page—session topics
TA Orientation is presented by the Teaching Assistant Effectiveness Advisory Committee
with support from the Graduate School and International Education
Contact: Diane Cook, Director of Graduate Student Activities DLCOOK@uark.edu 479‐575‐2350

Teaching Assistant Orientation Page 2
Monday, August 19 and Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Arkansas Union / Hillside Auditorium
Sessions Topics:
Administrative Side of Teaching
o Things to do before the first day
o UA Website/IT Services (why you need them, how to access them)
o UA Email Account
o ISIS for teaching purposes (detailed)
o Blackboard Access (detailed)
o Syllabus construction
Teaching Fundamentals
o What does the student need to know (Curriculum)
o What do you want the student to be able to do (Outcomes)
o What activity will facilitate the learning (Pedagogy)
o How will the student demonstrate the learning (Assessment)
o How will I know the student has done well (Criteria)
Course Development
o Syllabus construction
o Semester schedule
o Class schedule
o Types of classes
o On-campus resources
Managing the Classroom
o MtC Presenters:
• Enhanced Learning Center
• Center for Educational Access
• Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance
• Counseling and Psychological Services
• Office of Community Standards and Student Ethics
• Teaching Assistant Effectiveness Advisory Committee
o MtC Topics covered:
• Academic integrity policy
• Cultural differences in teaching
• Learning differences
• Tutoring
• Mental Health Indicators
• Student/instructor interactions
• Teaching large classes
• Equal opportunity
• Sexual harassment
International Teaching Assistant Session
o Introduction to US higher education
o Introduction to US student culture
o Bridging the speaking gap
o Classroom management in US colleges
o University policies
o Consistency and Credibility with US students
Sexual Harassment Training (provided by Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance)