2010 Graduate Teaching Assistant Program
Wednesday and Thursday, August 18-19
Sponsored by the Teaching Resource Center and the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Development with additional support from The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences and The School of Engineering and Applied Science

All new and returning gradutate teaching assistants are invited.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

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

9:00-9:20 Welcome
Teresa A. Sullivan, President
Old Cabell Hall Auditorium

9:30-10:55 Teaching the First Days of Class
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
Old Cabell Hall Lobby

11:15-12:45 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.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

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

9:00-11:00 Plenary: Deep Approaches to Learning
Ken Bain, Vice Provost for Learning; Director, Research Academy for University Learning; Professor of History, Montclair State University
Old Cabell Hall Auditorium

Historian and bestselling author of What the Best College Teachers Do, Ken Bain will share his knowledge of how great teachers captivate, motivate and help students reach unusually high levels of accomplishment. He invites us to explore the implications of his research as we structure and conduct our courses. To learn more, click here.

11:00-11:10 Break with refreshments
Old Cabell Hall Lobby

11:15-12:30 Concurrent Session I

Teaching Math to Majors, Non-Majors, Pre-Meds, Engineers
Explore innovative pedagogical techniques to create an effective learning environment in a variety of math course settings.

Moving Beyond Learning Disabilities in Foreign Language Courses
How to spot learning disabilities and accommodate students with them in your course.

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 and Engineering
A focus on scientific writing and assignments that include quantitative and qualitative data, including essays, lab reports, problem sets, and short answer exams:

• geared towards TAs grading such subjects as biology, physics, chemistry,
environmental sciences, etc.

• geared towards TAs grading such subjects as engineering, computer science,
economics, etc.

Humanities and Social Sciences
A focus on essays, short answer and essay exams:

• geared towards humanities TAs grading such subjects as art or architectural
history, literature, music, etc.

• geared towards humanities TAs grading such subjects as philosophy, religious
studies, etc.

• geared towards humanities and social science TAs grading such subjects
as anthropology, linguistics, history, politics, etc.

• geared towards social science TAs grading such subjects as sociology,
psychology, economics, etc.

12:30-12:55 Transition: Box lunches available in the Old Cabell Hall Lobby for the 1:00-2:30 working-lunch sessions.

1:00-2:30 Concurrent Session II (Working-lunch)

Teaching Laboratory Classes
Learn ways to make laboratory classes a successful setting in which to pursue scientific inquiry and enhance scientific understanding.

Teaching Problem-Solving Sessions
Get tips on how to be successful teaching a problem-solving section in science, math, or engineering.

Facilitating Classroom Discussions
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 It Work for Everyone: How to Teach All Students Effectively
As a UVa 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 UVa. Participants will learn how different backgrounds shape students' classroom experiences and how we can create inclusive learning environments.

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.