Full Description
Written for anyone who works with graduate students to support their teaching efforts in American research universities, this book draws on the extensive experience of professional educators who represent a variety of programs throughout the United States. They understand the common constraints of many TA development classes, workshops, and programs, as well as the need for motivating and sophisticated techniques that are, at the same time, practical and focused. Their contributions to this book have proven to be effective in developing the sophisticated communication skills required by TAs across the disciplines.
Contents
About the Authors xi
Foreword xxiii
Preface xxv
Acknowledgments xxvii
Part I TA Development
1. Getting Started 3
Acknowledging Teaching Fears: The Three-Minute Free Response 4
Janet Rankin
An Approach to Successful Collaborative Learning 6
Nancy C. McClure
Blended Learning: Focusing on Effective Teaching Through Online Discussions and Concept Mapping 8
Gabriele Bauer
Diversity in the Classroom: Working Effectively with Undergraduate ESL Students 11
Shawna Shapiro
Engaging Students in Active Learning 16
Shawna Shapiro
Identity and Authority in the Classroom: An Exercise for New TAs 21
Mary C. Wright
Planning and Facilitating Discussion 24
Phillip M. Edwards, Stacy Grooters, Margaret Lawrence
Problems, Pitfalls, and Surprises in Teaching: Mini Cases 28
Lori Breslow, J. Mark Schuster
Responding to Student Writing 35
Stacy Grooters, Jennie Dorman
Stand and Deliver: Developing Impromptu Speaking Skills 39
Jane Dunphy
A TA Orientation Plenary Session on University Policies and Resources for Teaching 44
Derek Bruff
Teaching in Computer Classrooms 48
Shaun K. Kane, Joe Hannah, Phillip M. Edwards, Jennie Dorman
Teaching in Lab Settings 52
Jennie Dorman, Michelle Smith, Sara O'Brien, Karen Freisem
2. Advanced Skills 57
Classroom Management Skills: Expanding Your Repertoire 58
Lee Warren
Determining Appropriate Course Goals and Pacing: An Exercise for Advanced TAs 60
Allyson Polsky McCabe, Lu Zhang
Developing Effective Consulting Skills 62
Michele Marincovich, Marcelo Clerici-Arias, Mariatte Denman, Robyn Wright Dunbar
Interdisciplinary Soapbox 68
Jill Bible, Robyn Wright Dunbar
Introduction to Online Teaching and Learning: Using Asynchronous Discussions Effectively 70
Mary C. Wright
Reaction and Response: Group Problem Solving and Effective Feedback 74
Jane Dunphy
Teaching Practice: Emphasis on Active Learning 76
Tershia Pinder
3. Professional Development 81
ASPECTS: Advancing Students' Professional Excellence with Certificates in Teaching Series 82
Mark Decker
Mock Search Committee: Introduction to the Teaching Philosophy 88
Judith Gibber
Teaching Portfolio Overview: Peer and Whole Group Discussion 91
Gabriele Bauer
Part II ITA Development
4. Culture 97
Cultural Adjustments 98
Barbara Gourlay
Diversity Awareness for ITAs 101
Doris Yaffe Shiffman
High-Context Versus Low-Context Culture: Case Studies 103
Christine Liptak, Colleen Meyers, Kyoung-Ah Nam, Elena Stetsenko
The High School Visit 111
Catherine Ross
Interviews: Surveying College Undergraduates Who Attended High School in the United States 113
Margo Sampson, Vel Chesser, Stacey Lane Tice
5. Pedagogy 117
American Teaching Performance 118
Pamela Pollock
Movie-Based Activities for the ITA Course 120
Theresa L. Pettit
Pedagogical Uses of Critical Incidents Videos for ITAs 126
Stacey Lane Tice, Margo Sampson, Vel Chesser
Practice Identifying and Teaching to a Variety of Learning Styles 128
Anne Halbert
Preparing the ITA for Office Hours 132
Elizabeth Wittner
6. Language 135
Departmental Introduction Speech 136
Kimberly Kenyon
Developing Oral Communication Skills 139
Margaret Lawrence
Discovering and Teaching the Vocabulary of the Academic Communities 142
Doris Yaffe Shiffman
Editorial Jigsaw 144
Barbara Gourlay
Fielding Questions: The IgNobel Prizes 146
Barbara Thompson
The Fine Art of Q&A 148
Barbara Gourlay
The Greek Alphabet: Speaking in Symbols 150
Barbara Gourlay
"International Teaching Assistant of the Year" Speech 153
Kimberly Kenyon
Mimicking American TA Discourse 156
Janet Goodwin
Practicing Communication Strategies 156
Doris Yaffe Shiffman
Presentation Summaries—Take Two! 161
Barbara Thompson
Working with Authentic TA Discourse 163
Janet Goodwin
Resources 167
Index 173
