2006 August Teaching Workshop - Teaching Assistant Program
Sponsored by the Teaching Resource Center and the Office of the Provost

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

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

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

9:00-9:20 Welcome to Teaching at U.Va.
Gene D. Block, Vice President & Provost

9:30-11:00 Teaching the First Days of Class
Liz Wittner, ITA Program Coordinator (CAELC) Cabell 311
Jenica Allen, Graduate Instructor (Environmental Sciences) Cabell 319
Brantley Craig, Graduate Instructor (Religious Studies) Cabell 323
Kelly Erickson, Graduate Instructor (Politics) Cabell 324
Amanda Hege, Graduate Instructor (Psychology) Cabell 325
Matthew Munson, Graduate Instructor (Religious Studies) Cabell 337
Michael Palmer, TRC Faculty Consultant (Chemistry) Cabell 338

Get practical advice about how to keep the butterflies under control and get your class off to a good start.

11:00-11:10 Break with refreshments

11:15-12:45 CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Making It Work for Everyone: How to Teach All Students Effectively
Dorothe Bach, TRC Faculty Consultant (German) Cabell 311
Stacey Sinclair, Associate Professor (Psychology)
Beverly Adams, Association Dean (Psychology)
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.

Successful Teaching Techniques To Use in the Lab
Devin Herod, Former Graduate Instructor (Biology) Cabell 323
Learn ways to make laboratory classes a successful setting in which to pursue scientific inquiry and enhance scientific understanding.

Teaching Problem-Solving Sessions
Edward Murphy, Associate Professor (Astronomy) Cabell 324
Nitin Singh, Graduate Instructor (Materials Science) Cabell 325
Get tips on how to be successful teaching a problem-solving section in science, social science or engineering.

Facilitating Classroom Discussions
Ira Bashkow, Associate Professor (Anthropology) Cabell 337
Daniel Hedden , Graduate Instructor (Philosophy) Cabell 338
Discuss ways to effectively facilitate classroom discussions, including tips for maximizing student preparation and participation, asking compelling questions to stimulate exciting and productive exchanges, guiding discussion without stifling students' creativity, and grading participation fairly.

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

Thursday, August 17, 2006

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

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

9:30-11:00 Difficult Classroom Situations
Brantley Craig, Graduate Instructor (Religious Studies) Cabell 316
Kelly Erickson Graduate Instructor (Politics) Cabell 319
Amanda Hege, Graduate Instructor (Psychology) Cabell 323
Matthew Munson, Graduate Instructor (Religious Studies) Cabell 324
Amy Nichols-Belo, Graduate Instructor (Anthropology) Cabell 325
Carey Sargent, Graduate Instructor (Sociology) Cabell 337
Todné Thomas, Graduate Instructor (Anthropology) Cabell 338

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.

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
Drew Keller, Graduate Instructor (Chemistry) Cabell 319
• geared towards TAs grading such subjects as biology,
physics, chemistry, environmental sciences, economics,
etc.
Bill Ketchie, Graduate Instructor (Chemical Engineering) Cabell 323
• geared towards TAs grading such subjects as engineering,
computer science, etc.

Humanities and Social Science
A focus on essays, short answer and essay exams
Lindsay Wright, Graduate Instructor (English) Cabell 324
• geared towards TAs grading such subjects as literature, art
or architectural history, philosophy, religious studies, etc.
Cedar Riener, Graduate Instructor (Psychology) Cabell 325
• geared towards TAs grading such subjects as history,
anthropology, politics, sociology, psychology, etc.

Teaching Math to Majors, Non-Majors, Pre-Meds, Engineers
Irina Mitrea, Assistant Professor (Mathematics) Cabell 316
Explore innovative pedgogical techniques to create an effective learning environment in a variety of math course settings.

Moving Beyond Learning Disabilities in Foreign Language Courses
Cheryl Krueger, Professor (French) Cabell 338
How to spot learning disabilities and accommodate students with them in your course.

12:55-1:25 TAs & the Honor System
Alison Tramba, Honor Committee Chair Old Cabell Hall Auditorium
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.

1:30-2:30 Lunch
The TRC and your Dean want to provide you with an opportunity to talk informally with each other. Workshop participants who pre-register can pick up their lunches following the Honor Committee's presentation.

1:30-2:30 Lunch for International TAs
Wilson Hall 301
International Teaching Assistants who will teach for the first time at U.Va. during the Fall 2006 semester should plan to attend this session to participate in an informal discussion with new and experienced international TAs about teaching in an American university classroom. A panel of experienced ITAs will share their experiences, offer practical suggestions and answer questions.