2000 August Teaching Workshop - Teaching Assistant Program

9:00-9:20 Welcome to Teaching at U.Va.
Penny Rue, Dean of Students

9:30-11:00 For Teaching Assistants: Teaching the First Days of Class
How to keep the butterflies under control.
Dorothe Bach, Graduate Associate, TRC (German)
Carol Hurney, Faculty Consultant, TRC (Biology)
Jann Lacoss, Faculty Consultant, TRC (Slavic)
Ben Lee, Graduate Instructor (English)
Erin McGlothlin, Graduate Associate, TRC (German)
Jenry Morsman, Graduate Instructor (History)
Liz Wittner, TRC, ITA Program Administrator (ESL)

11:00- 11:10 Break with refreshments

11:15-12:45 CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Making It Work for Everyone: How to Teach All Your Students Effectively
Ishmail Conway, Associate Director, Upward Bound (Drama)
Marva Barnett, Director, Teaching Resource Center (French)
As one experienced U.Va. instructor has said about our diverse student population, "Sensitivity isn't enough; you need strategies." This workshop offers useful strategies for teaching the variety of students we meet, encourages sharing of successful techniques, and gives participants a chance to see something of what students experience their first year at U.Va.

Moving Beyond Learning Disabilities in Foreign Language Courses
Cheryl Krueger, Associate Professor (French)
How to spot learning disabilities and accommodate students with them in your course.

Responding to Student Writing
Does the class or discussion section you teach require you to grade student writing? And piles of it? In this workshop, we'll discuss effective strategies for grading papers fairly and efficiently, for writing constructive comments and for preparing students better for their writing assignments.

Humanities & Social Sciences
June Griffin, Graduate Associate, TRC (English)
Mark McWilliams, Graduate Instructor (English)
Science, Math, & Engineering
Jon D'Errico, Associate Director, Writing Programs (English)
Kate Stephenson, Director, Writing Center (English)

1:00 For International TAs
Liz Wittner,TRC, ITA Program Administrator (ESL)
International Teaching Assistants who will teach for the first time at U.Va. during the Fall 2000 semester should plan to attend this session to learn about training programs and other available resources. Practical suggestions to help you through your first days as an international instructor in an American classroom will be included, along with information about the SPEAK test.

8:15-8:55  Check-In or Registration

9:00-9:20  Welcome to Teaching at U.Va.
John T. Casteen III, President

9:30-11:00CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Successful Teaching Techniques To Use in the Lab
Linda Johnson, Graduate Instructor (Biology)
Ed Lumadue, TA Supervisor (Biology)
Teaching methods to consider for a successful lab experience.

Teaching Math to Majors, Non-Majors, Pre-Meds, Engineers
Mary Beck, Academic Lecturer (Engineering)
Approaches to consider in teaching math in various settings.

Teaching Problem-Solving Sessions
Jessica Howell, Graduate Instructor (Economics)
Carol Hurney, Faculty Consultant, TRC  (Biology)
Fred Tillman, Graduate Associate, TRC (Civil Engineering)
If you'll be teaching a problem-solving section in Science, Social Science or Engineering, get some tips on how to be successful.

Developing a Fair, Effective, Efficient Grading Policy
Jann Lacoss, Faculty Consultant, TRC (Slavic)
Learn how to make the least liked aspect of teaching more efficient and hassle-free by developing your grading philosophy and policies before you enter the classroom.

Making Your Presentations Count
Judith Reagan, Associate Director, TRC (Drama)
Brush up on your classroom "presence."  Participate in exercises geared to reduce stage fright, increase concentration, and center and strengthen your voice.

Facilitating Classroom Discussions.
Bill McAllister,  Faculty Consultant, TRC (History)
Michael Smith, Associate Professor, (GFA)
Practical advice about how to maximize both student participation and the amount of material covered in class.

11:00-11:10 Break with refreshments

11:15-12:45 Difficult Classroom Situations
Dorothe Bach, Graduate Associate, TRC  (German)
June Griffin, Graduate Associate, TRC  (English)
Ben Lee, Graduate Instructor (English)
Erin McGlothlin, Graduate Associate, TRC (German)
Dustin Kidd, Graduate Instructor (Sociology)
Liz Wittner, TRC, ITA Program Administrator (ESL)
What if your students . . . say a test is unfair? . . . talk during others' presentations? . . . question the grades on their papers?  By discussing scenarios of some teachers' nightmares, you enhance your chances of avoiding any yourself.

12:50-1:20  Teaching Assistants & the Honor System
Thomas Hall, Honor Committee Chair
What should you do if you see students cheating?  What can you do to promote academic integrity? Led by members of the Honor Committee, this session will cover how to include the Honor System in your syllabus, what to do if you suspect cheating, and your options and responsibilities as an instructor. There will be time at the end of the presentation for your questions.

1:30 Lunch
The TRC and your dean want to provide you with an opportunity to talk informally with each other.  Workshop participants who have lunch tickets (which will be distributed at  Registration or Check-In) can pick up their lunches in the Old Cabell Hall Auditorium lobby.

1:30 For International TAs
Liz  Wittner, TRC, ITA Program Administrator (ESL)
Learn more about cultural aspects of teaching at U.Va. from an international perspective.  Training programs and other resources offered for ITAs will be explained, and you can ask questions about the SPEAK test.