Teaching Assistants Part A Supporting Teaching

Introduction  About me  Reflection on first morning –how is BUE different?  Discussion of TA role  Managing students’ learning environment  Effective teaching – tools and communication

Who I am  Dr Heather Dalgleish - Heather  BSc PhD and teaching degree (PGCE)  Worked at Loughborough University for 12 years with:  Undergraduate students  Postgraduate researchers  Academic staff

First get into groups of about 5… …. In your groups, decide:  What do you think were the 3 most important things from the “How not What” session?  What do you think is special about BUE?

Role of TA  The role and responsibilities of TAs are to:  teach, supervise and assess students, on a regularly monitored basis, during practical sessions and tutorials;  prepare teaching materials for practical sessions (lab manuals, power-point presentations) and different types of academic material (Xeroxing, distributing);  help technical assistants to order and inspect materials, chemicals, glassware and instruments;  help technical assistants to set up laboratories for practical sessions;  help technical assistants to maintain and apply safety measures during practical sessions;  take a register of student attendance;  offer academic help during office hours and be available to answer students’ questions;

Role of TA  And to:  assist in collecting assignments and other assessment submissions;  help in marking, using model answers provided by the module examiner(s). Work marked by TAs is checked by the module examiner(s);  take notes and minutes of departmental meetings;  help in administrative work, invigilation of examinations and tests and recording of exam marks;  encourage student involvement in various activities;  assist in research activities;  to act as substitute teachers (teaching assistants) as required;  to carry out their own postgraduate studies, namely MScs (demonstrators) and PhDs (teaching assistants), for which they are allocated time

Discussion….  How does your role as Teaching Assistant work in practice?  What are the most important skills that you need?

Creating an Effective Learning Environment  Before your teaching session consider:  How do you want the room arranged?  What equipment do you have/need?  Double check room and equipment in advance  Who will be setting up and clearing up?  Have you got the right amount of material for the length of session?  Have a ‘back up’ plan  Time yourself with a practice run

Prepare teaching materials: slides and overheads  Layout must be clear and well spaced  Limit number of words  Ensure that your slides and overheads  can be clearly seen from a distance  Include:  Charts  Diagrams  Pictures Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 1

Planning teaching materials  Use clear language  And relevant examples

Planning the lesson (1)  What do your students already know?  How will you follow your topic through from introduction to end?  How are you going to get all of the students involved?

Planning the lesson (2)  What do you want the students to achieve?  What activities are going to promote this?  How are you going to lead those activities?  What resources can you draw on?

Lesson Time Line TimeTime What I need to do Student Activity Resources 9am 15 minutes Introduce myself Discussion about BUE Data projector and whiteboard minutes Teaching assistant role Skills discussion minutes Planning lesson and skills Lesson timeline Whiteboard 10……..

First skills of teaching  Communication:  Create interest  Clear, concise language  Repeat key points in different ways  Show you are enthusiastic  Try to keep everyone involved

Teaching your students:  Introducing  Explaining  Managing – time/room  Observing  Listening  Responding  Questioning  Summarising

Effective teaching skills To hold the students’ interest:  Make eye contact  Use positive body language  Ask questions  Change the pace  Exercise: In Pairs Take turns to explain a topic (3 minutes) And to give constructive feedback (2 minutes)

Key Points for Summary  Resources  Planning  Preparation  Communication