CS@UCSB Teaching Assistant Orientation Lucas Bang Fall 2014 http://cs.ucsb.edu/~leadta 1

Who are we? Professor Tim Sherwood (sherwood@cs) Lucas Bang (bang@cs) Second Year Ph.D. Student (Software Verification) Current Lead TA BS Math, BA and MS Computer Science at UNLV Professor Tim Sherwood (sherwood@cs) ArchLab Ph.D. from UCSD

Outline My role as the lead TA Teaching assistant roles / expectations Teaching assistants’ rights Your first discussion / lab section

My role as the Lead TA Prepare and review midterm TA evaluations Review end of quarter TA evaluations Be available for TA consultations Representative on CS Grad Affairs Committee Train new TA's in the department via CS501

My role as the Lead TA Prepare and review midterm TA evaluations Review end of quarter TA evaluations Be available for TA consultations Representative on CS Grad Affairs Committee Train new TA's in the department via CS501

CS501 10 week mandatory seminar for TAs Meets at 5PM (and 6PM ?) on Wednesdays Covers a variety of topics closely following the UCSB TA Handbook http://oic.id.ucsb.edu/ta-handbook

Teaching Assistant Roles Discussion Section vs. Lab Other Responsibilities

Discussion sections 50 minute period lead by a single TA Topics Additional lecture material Current course project overview / discussion Used primarily in upper division courses Requires coordination with professor on what to cover Discussion sections under supervision of regular member of the faculty Entails: -- coordination with professor, co-TAs, graders -- knowledge of the material -- Preparation! What to cover: Projects Extra material that cannot be covered in class Relevant topics which could be of benefit to the class 8

Labs 50 minute period lead by one or more TAs Students complete lab (usually with partners) in the allotted time TAs efficiently field students’ questions Used in lower division courses (<100 level) Requires coordination with professor on what the lab requirements are

So, what's the difference? Discussion: - 50 minutes of “lecture” - You present material, answer questions or review lecture - Group attention Labs: - 5-10 minutes of explanation - You help students with a structured assignment - More individual attention Both require communication with instructor. 10

Office Hours Time periods in which you must be available to the students Typically 2-4 hours a week Be on time Don’t leave early

Other Possible TA Responsibilities Answering emails Attending lecture Holding review sessions Providing feedback to instructor Being available until grades are submitted Instructor feedback – ideas about the job itself– too much/not enough work, ideas to help grading, what the students need help with, are/are not understanding… basically feedback from the TA to help make the course better overall Your responsibilities do not end until grades have been submitted. Check the calendar and schedule your breaks accordingly. Hours: being paid half-time, could be expected to put in 15-20 hours per week (on average) TA Evaluations: Mid-quarter evaluations for first year students End of quarter TA evaluations for all TAs 12

Teaching Contract Agreement between you and professor on your responsibilities Review to ensure you wont be overworked Revise if necessary Make sure you remind your busy professor to go over and sign your contract!

Teaching Assistant Rights 50% TA Cannot be asked to work more than 8 hours per day 20 hours per week (on average) 40 hours in any one week 220 hours per quarter Time includes: All TA responsibilities including attending lecture, preparation time, and TA training (CS 501)

TA Union – UAW Local 2865 www.uaw2865.org Negotiates contract for wages and benefits All TAs paid the same minimum across the university GASHIP provides some vision and dental Fees All TAs pay 0.89% fair share fee Members pay 1.15% for dues ASE – academic student employee The union negotiates a contract with the university every few years regarding wages and benefits Day care subsidy Paid sick leave Approximately $14 a month for all TAs and $18 a month for members One time fee 15

Your first day Preparation The first day tips Content Be confident– you have (at least) a bachelor’s degree! You are an advanced student, at the minimum Students are humans – you were one of them (and still are) Introduce yourself -- write name and email on the board -- distribute relevant course material (e.g. notes, syllabi, etc…) 16

Preparation Find the room Does it have a projector? What keys do you need? - Room key? Media Key? Allot ~2 hours for preparation of material Check ahead -- know where your discussion section is -- find out if you need any equipment: podium key(s), projector, … 17

The first discussion tips Be confident, you’re awesome Introduce yourself State your expectations Write outline on board / slide, if appropriate Make eye contact and engage students Introduction should include not just your name, but also where you studied and maybe even a tidbit on things you like to do for fun. Let the students know you are human. If you have certain expectations of the student let them know. You may want to create a discussion syllabus so it’s easy to find this information. Expectations may be no reading the paper in class, your grading petition policy, your late work policy. Lectures are boring, so try to make them as interactive as possible. There are many ways to get the students involved. It’s your discussion so feel free to try them out. 18

Content Coordinate with professor on content Prepare notes in advance Outline objectives - for yourself - for the students

CS501 To do list Enroll in CS501 Check website / email for Wednesday’s Assignment www.cs.ucsb.edu/~leadta Look for email reminders Be at Phelps 2510 next Wednesday

TA to do Physically meet with class instructor Establish a good communication pattern Schedule a weekly meeting Inform them up front of any time off you’ll need Go over the Teaching Assistant contract and ensure that the instructor signs it Prepare for your first discussion section / lab section

Incentives to be an awesome TA Personal satisfaction Student appreciation TA awards Lead TA position Department Evaluation – future TA selection It is your job, take pride in doing it well. TA Awards: Department Quarterly Outstanding TA Award, 2 for lower division, 2 for upper division and one for graduate Department TA of the Year Award (plaque behind Amanda’s desk) University awards Lead TA Position- funding for a year, excellent to put on CV (or so I hope) 22

? Questions? 23