The University of British Columbia

Course Description

In this course participants will have the opportunity to practice their presentation skills, reflect on fresh teaching experiences, learn tips and tricks for their classrooms and develop their knowledge of learner-centered pedagogy.

UBC Calendar

For a full listing of course offerings please see the UBC calendar description

Learning Goals

By the end of this course the participants will be able to:

• Effectively evaluate peers and provide constructive feedback
• Create an environment conducive to learning for diverse groups of students
• Develop strategies for fostering student inquiry and independent learning in Earth and Ocean Sciences while meeting students’ need for support
• Formulate learning objectives for TA-led activities in Earth and Ocean Science courses
• Engage in critical reflection on one’s own teaching practice
• Design and implement mini-lessons and lab assignments for Earth and Ocean Science courses using the frameworks provided in the course

 

Instructors

B. Gilley

Graduate student peer instructors

Textbook

Download a copy of the excellent TA manual called "University Teaching and Learning: An Instructional Resource Guide for Teaching Assistants" at  http://wiki.ubc.ca/images/3/3d/Ta-handbook.pdf .

Course Content

Subjects will include:

• facilitation,
• marking and the use of rubrics,
• lesson planning,
• learning goals and Bloom’s taxonomy,

and a general orientation to the world of TAing including, among other topics:

• communication with course instructors,
• maintaining professional relationships with students,
• plagiarism and cheating.

This course is 2 credits and is evaluated with pass/fail.
The main components of evaluation are: Attendance and participation; Completion of three practice or “mini” lessons; And a lab redesign project.

Lecture Topics

Tentative Schedule as of mid-Sept 2009  (subject to change):

Date             Topics   

Sept 18th      Introduction - Group contracts, What makes a good learning experience? Lesson planning, and Learning objectives.

Sept 25th    Small Group A - Feedback, Minilesson 1
Oct 2nd      Small Groups B - Feedback, Minilesson 1
Oct 7th         Small Groups C - Feedback, Minilesson 1

Oct 16th     Large Group - Paper Discussion, Active learning, Reflective Practice, and Cooperative Learning,

Oct 23rd      Small Group A - Minilesson 2
Oct 30th      Small Groups B - Minilesson 2
Nov 4th      Small Groups C - Minilesson 2

Nov 13th     Large Group - Paper Discussion, Learning styles, Guiding inquiry - Socratic questioning, Marking/evaluation,

Nov 20th      Small Group A - Minilesson 3
Nov 27th      Small Groups B - Minilesson 3
Dec 2th     Small Groups C - Minilesson 2

Dec 11th      Large Group -Paper discussion, Group dynamics, Interpersonal relations/communication, Diversity, Wrap up, post test, freedom

Note: Groups A, B, & C will meet in successive weeks. You will only have to come to the session for your group.

Labs