TI 0996 - Teaching Assistant Readiness Program

Course Description

Program Overview

The Teaching Assistants Readiness Program (TARP) is an immersive 6-week online program that combines evidenced-based strategies with practical teaching and learning skills. Participants in this program will be part of a cohort that explores current teaching and learning research from a student-centered learning and inclusive teaching practices lens. During four interactive workshops, participants will develop practical teaching skills, identify research-informed strategies to use in their teaching contexts, and connect with peers from multi-disciplinary teaching environments.

Attendance is required at each workshop with participants completing a one-page practical application worksheet after each workshop. The TARP program concludes with each participant submitting a final reflective learning summary.

Please visit the badge webpage for program details and required workshops and topics: (click here)

Please note: Registration will close 2 business days prior to the course start date. Participants will be contacted with relevant course information via email – as well as enrolled on D2L – once the course begins.

Learning outcomes

Participants will be able to:

• Identify and choose classroom management strategies that promote positive Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) and student relationships in various course environments.
• Evaluate and apply appropriate assessment methods to measure student learning.
• Analyze and differentiate teaching beliefs critically to understand their importance on one’s own teaching practice.
• Synthesize and create effective strategies to foster ongoing professional development in teaching and learning.
• Participate and reflect in a collaborative community for GTAs to promote teaching and learning.

Requirements for Completion

Participants must attend all four workshops listed below. All workshops will be hosted online via Zoom. 

• Tuesday, January 21, 2025 (10:00 AM -11:00 AM): Classroom Management Strategies for Teaching Assistants
• Tuesday, January 28, 2025 (10:00 AM -11:00 AM): Student Assessment and Feedback Strategies for Teaching Assistants
• Tuesday, February 4, 2025 (10:00 AM -11:00 AM): Enhancing TA-Instructor Partnerships for Teaching Assistants
• Tuesday, February 11, 2025 (10:00 AM -11:00 AM): Professional Development for Teaching Assistants
• Tuesday, February 25, 2025 (10:00 AM -11:00 AM) - Artificial intelligence, Academic Integrity and the Graduate Teaching Assistant

Classroom management strategies for Teaching Assistants

In this workshop, participants will explore classroom management strategies such as planning effective office hours, asking effective questions and responding to student questions, facilitating engaging student discussions in an online and in-person learning environments etc. We will explore these topics under the lens of inclusive teaching practices and universal instructional design.

Date: Tuesday, January 21 from 10 – 11 a.m.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Recognize strategies that create equitable and inclusive classrooms/labs/tutorial sessions.
• Use classroom management strategies to promote positive TA-student relationships.
• Identify strategies to facilitate effective student discussions in different learning environment.

Student assessment and feedback strategies for Teaching Assistants

In this workshop, participants will explore key pedagogical aspects of assessment and grading in student-centered learning environments. We will discuss the importance of formative feedback and summative assessments along with a brief overview of rubrics and their use in grading. Strategies for providing feedback on students’ assignments will be discussed so that participants can provide meaningful and effective feedback to help their students succeed in the course. 

Date: Tuesday, January 28 from 10 – 11 a.m.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Discuss the importance and role of formative feedback and summative assessments
• Select appropriate assessment methods to evaluate student learning;
• Use an assessment rubric to provide feedback and measure student performance; and
• Explore methods to provide effective feedback to students.

Enhancing TA-instructor partnerships for Teaching Assistants

Teaching Assistants (TAs) are critical members of the teaching team. They bring to their position a wide variety of experience and backgrounds and contribute in meaningful ways. Creating a climate of mutual respect and reciprocity for each other while working as partners with your instructor can have a positive impact on teaching and learning goals.

Date: Tuesday, February 4 from 10 – 11 a.m.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Discuss strategies to develop a positive partnership with your professor
• Explore effective ways of enhancing communication with your instructor
• Create a climate of feedback and reciprocity that supports your mental well-being

Professional development for Teaching Assistants

In this workshop, participants will explore topics related to their professional development as a TA. This workshop will provide them with an opportunity to meaningfully reflect on their TA experiences; discuss their emerging teaching practices; identify teaching-related goals and explore available campus resources to promote further development.  

Date: Tuesday, February 11 from 10 – 11 a.m.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Recognize strategies to engage in critical reflection 
• Discuss their TA experiences with peers and colleagues
• Explore their emerging teaching practices
• Develop awareness of campus resources and available programming offered by TI

Participants will also be required to complete three out of four workshop, practical application worksheets.

Lastly, participants will be required to create a final capstone which is a reflective summary of their learnings and experiences from the programme. This can be completed either as a one-page text document (between 150-250 words) or a audio or video recording (between 2-3 minutes).

Artificial intelligence, academic integrity and the Teaching Assistant 

This workshop is an introduction to generative artificial intelligence for graduate teaching assistants. Participants will explore how to ethically teach with and use generative artificial intelligence tools in their courses. Participants will actively engage through interactive discussions and practical activities, enhancing their understanding of AI fundamentals and its applications in their courses. 

Date: Tuesday, February 25 from 10 – 11 a.m.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Identify ethical principles of AI and education and its relevance to challenges and opportunities. 
2. Investigate generative AI tools and their applications in teaching. 
3. Collaborate with peers to brainstorm and discuss innovative ways to integrate AI in teaching scenarios. 
4. Reflect on the ethical aspects of AI technology in classroom settings through structured group discussions. 

Registration Information

• This badge is open and free-of-cost to all current graduate students with the University of Calgary
• This badge is not accepting the registration of external participants i.e. individuals not affiliated with the University of Calgary

Please note: Registration will close 2 business days prior to the course start date. Participants will be contacted with relevant course information via email – as well as enrolled on D2L – on the day the badge begins.