August Teaching Workshop - TA Program

Wednesday and Thursday, August 25-26, 2004

Sponsored by the Teaching Resource Center and the Office of the Provost.

Especially for beginning teaching assistants; all who teach are invited.

Wednesday, August 25, 2004

8:15-8:50 Check-In or Registration & Refreshments
Old Cabell Hall Lobby

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

9:30-11:00 Teaching the First Days of Class
How to keep the butterflies under control and get off to a good start.
Chris Jackson, Graduate Instructor (English)
Deandra Little, TRC Faculty Consultant (English)
Liz Wittner, ITA Program Coordinator (CAELC)
Alena Nye-Knutson, Graduate Instructor (Religious Studies)
Wendy Morris, Graduate Instructor (Psychology)
Ryan Emanuel, Graduate Instructor (Environmental Science)
Michael Smith, Graduate Instructor (Mathematics)
(Ms. Wittner's section in Cabell 323 is recommended to all International TAs.)

11:00-11:10 Break with refreshments

11:15-12:45 CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Facilitating Classroom Discussions
Practical advice about how to maximize student participation and the amount of material covered in class.
Mitchell Green, Associate Professor (Philosophy)
James Sofka, Assistant Dean (Politics)

Teaching Math to Majors, Non-Majors, Pre-Meds, Engineers
Approaches to consider in teaching math in various settings.
Jeffrey Holt, Assistant Dean (Mathematics)
Mary Beck, Instructor (Applied Mathematics)

Successful Teaching Techniques To Use in the Lab
Teaching methods to consider for a successful lab experience.
Devin Herod, Graduate Instructor (Environmental Sciences)

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

Teaching Problem-Solving Sessions
Get tips on how to be successful teaching a problem-solving section in science, social science or engineering.
Sarah Simmons, Graduate Instructor (Economics)
Susan Donohue, Graduate Instructor (Engineering)

1:00-2:00 For International TAs
International Teaching Assistants who will teach for the first time at U.Va. during the Fall 2004 semester should plan to attend either this or an identical session on Thursday to participate in an informal discussion with new and experienced international TAs about teaching in an American university classroom. A panel of ITAs will share their experiences, offer practical suggestions and answer questions. A complimentary lunch will be provided for those who pre-register.

Thursday, August 26, 2004

8:15-8:50 Check-In or Registration & Refreshments

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

9:30-11:00 Difficult Classroom Situations
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.
Liz Wittner, ITA Program Coordinator (CAELC)
Kelly Erickson, Graduate Instructor (Politics)
Ryan Emanuel, Graduate Instructor (Environmental Science)
Wendy Morris, Graduate Instructor (Psychology)
Alena Nye-Knutson, Graduate Instructor (Religious Studies)
Chris Jackson, Graduate Instructor (English)
Jeanine Stefanucci, Graduate Instructor (Psychology)

11:00-11:10 Break with refreshments

11:15-12:45 CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Tips and Techniques for Grading Student Writing
Does the class, lab, or discussion section you teach require you to grade student writing? And piles of it? In this workshop, we'll discuss strategies for grading and commenting on student writing quickly, fairly, and effectively. We'll also discuss ways to prepare students better for their writing assignments.

Science, Engineering and Math
A focus on scientific writing, including essays, lab reports, and short answer exams
Linda Green, Graduate Instructor (Biology)
• geared towards TAs grading such subjects as biology,
physics, chemistry, environmental sciences, economics

Sally Wasileski, Postdoctoral Fellow (Engineering)
• geared towards TAs grading such subjects as engineering,
computer science, etc.

Humanities and Social Science
A focus on essays, short answer and essay exams
Jolie Sheffer, Graduate Instructor (English)
• geared towards TAs grading such subjects as history,
anthropology, politics, sociology, psychology, etc.
Lindsay Wright, Graduate Instructor (English)
• geared towards TAs grading such subjects as literature, art
or architectural history, philosophy, religious studies, etc.

Moving Beyond Learning Disabilities in Foreign Language Courses
How to spot learning disabilities and accommodate students with them in your course.
Emily Scida, Assistant Professor (Spanish)

Making It Work for Everyone: How to Teach All Students Effectively
As a U.Va. faculty member has said about teaching our diverse student population, "Sensitivity isn't enough; you need strategies." This workshop offers useful strategies for teaching the variety of students we meet at U.Va. Participants will learn how different backgrounds shape students' classroom experiences and how we can create inclusive learning environments.
Dorothe Bach, TRC Faculty Consultant (German)
Angela M. Davis, Associate Dean of Students (English)
Deandra Little, TRC Faculty Consultant (English)

12:55-1:25 TAs & the Honor System
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.
Meghan Sullivan, Honor Committee Chair

1:30-2:30 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 Wednesday Registration or Check-In) can pick up their lunches.

1:30-2:30 For International TAs
International Teaching Assistants who will teach for the first time at U.Va. during the Fall 2004 semester should plan to attend either this or an identical session on Wednesday to participate in an informal discussion with new and experienced international TAs about teaching in an American university classroom. A panel of ITAs will share their experiences, offer practical suggestions and answer questions. A complimentary lunch will be provided for those who pre-register.