1. CS@UCSB Teaching Assistant Orientation Lucas Bang Fall 2014 1

2. 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
ArchLab
Ph.D. from UCSD

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Teaching Assistant Roles
Discussion Section vs. Lab
Other Responsibilities

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. Other Possible TA Responsibilities
Answering s
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 hours per week (on average)
TA Evaluations:
Mid-quarter evaluations for first year students
End of quarter TA evaluations for all TAs 12

13. 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!

14. 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)

15. 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

16. 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 on the board
-- distribute relevant course material (e.g. notes, syllabi, etc…) 16

17. 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

18. 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

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

20. CS501 To do list Enroll in CS501 Check website / email for Wednesday’s
Assignment
Look for reminders
Be at Phelps 2510 next Wednesday

21. 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

22. 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

23. ?
Questions? 23