Seminar for International Teaching Assistants

Session Three

introducing

Navigating the Classroom

From the student’s perspective? Do you know what you’re teaching?What authority do you have?Can you understand me? (International TA)Can I understand you? (International TA)

From the administrator’s perspective?  Do you know how to teach your subject? Can you manage your classroom? Are you willing to accept personal responsibility for your students’ success?Will you behave ethically?

Graduate Assistants (teaching, research, administrative assistants) are appointed by the department and faculty to carry out specific duties 

Today’s overview

           

             1Behaviors & Mannerisms

                    2Teacher

expectations

                    3Student

expectations

       

             

           

       

Behaviors & Mannerisms

• Be on time• Hello, please, excuse me, thank you• Joking around is acceptable, however, avoid making inappropriate jokes – ethnic,

religious, sexuality, gender• Gift are often given during the holiday seasons• Men and women are equal • Handshaking is acceptable for both genders

1

Understanding the US Classroom Culture

• The faculty and graduates assistants are responsible for the delivery of 

education and classroom learning.

• Graduate teaching assistants are responsible for assisting the main professor for 

a course. Their duties include teaching, grading, meeting with and assisting 

individual students with difficulties.

• TAs should be very knowledgeable about the course content. 

• Professional relationship is required in interacting and communicating with 

faculty and students.

Teaching Methods

• Lecture

• Discussion

• Observation

• Practical application

• Case examples/ studies

• Experiential or active learning

• Computer-based instruction

Reso

urce

s • http://www.immihelp.com/newcomer american-culture-and-behavior.html

• http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/9889/american_manners_etiquette_and_protocol.html?cat=9

             

           

                           2

Expectations for teachers

 

• Apply the same professional standards as the regular staff members.  • 100% attendance is expected.  • Assist in planning, teaching, grading and evaluating.• Prepare all required materials.  • Discuss progress, plans, and responsibilities.• Exhibit professional behavior; dress appropriately and practice good hygiene. 

• Maintain good professional relations. 

• Follow the school calendar.  • Follow the school Code of Ethics.• Treat others with respect and appreciation.• Hold office hours and be accessible to be reached. • Provide feedback to students in the classroom.• Provide a fair, confidential and safe environment.• Knowledgeable in the subject area.• Report any problem. 

Exer

cise

Answer the following questions:

With respect to teaching…

• What are two things about which you are most fearful, apprehensive, or anxious?

• What are two things about you which you are most excited?

 

Reso

urce

s • http://www.suite101.com/content/teacher-expectations-a23455• http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/Files/rules.htm• http://www.distributedleadership.org/DLS/Publications_files/Diamond

,%20Randolph,%20Spillane.%20%20Teachers'%20expectations%20and%20sense%20of%20responsibility%20for%20student%20learning-%20The%20importance%20of%20race,%20class,%20and%20organizational%20habitus.pdf

• http://www2.ed.gov/PDFDocs/whatexpect.pdf• http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/student-teaching.html• http://education.depaul.edu/CurrentStudents/StudentTeaching/

ExpectationsStudentTeacher.asp

             

           

                           3 Expectations for students 

• Come to class on time• Do the assigned work• To be treated with respect and appreciation• Respect property and the environment• Dress appropriately • Report any unwanted advances or behavior

Exer

cise

Write one aspect of American life that puzzles you. 

Reso

urce

s

• http://www.spcollege.edu/ecampus/help/expectations.htm• http://www.public.iastate.edu/~volkerh/99R/online/pdf/Week_1

3_Online_fushunle.pdf

Do and Don’t

Don’t:  Complain about your professorDon’t:  Confuse the roles of yourself and your professorDon’t:  Be overly humble or overly brash if asked to assess your own teaching effectivenessDon’t:  Lose your temperDon’t:  Try to humiliate a student in front of their friendsDon’t:  Put your hands on the studentsDon’t:  Show up for class with nothing preparedDon’t:  Don’t be resistant to adjusting your plans according to meaningful feedbackDon’t:  Use inappropriate language with your students     

Do:  Read the class objectives, standards and materialsDo:  Align your instructional style to the class needs and needs of the studentsDo:  Understand the university’s rulesDo:  Learn your student’s names Do:  Put your best effort into your duties        

1. Content Competence2. Pedagogical Competence3. Dealing with sensitive topics4. Student development5. Relationship with students6. Confidentiality7. Respect for colleagues8. Valid assessment of students9. Respect for institution 

Ethical Principles

Home-workRead the following case studies and response to them by referring to the nine Ethical Principles. • A student in your class is struggling with 

some serious personal issues that are affecting their work. S/he asks you to meet with her or him to discuss the problems, but doesn't feel comfortable meeting in the department. S/he requests a meeting in a lounge/bar/restaurant.

• You have been assigned overall responsibility for a course which has topics far outside your area of expertise. The department feels strongly that these topics must remain in the course

http://www.tss.uoguelph.ca/id/ta/tahb/tah5a.html

• You are a TA in a course dealing with sensitive topics ( such as women's’ studies or race relations). While you recognize that courses which deal with controversial subject matter such as this will generate serious introspection and internal struggles for students, you try hard to keep the students focused on the content issues of the course. After grading the first set of assignments a student accuses you of being racist/sexist/homophobic because of comments you made on his/her assignment. You are certain that you have not behaved in a racist/sexist /homophobic manner, and feel that the accusation is untrue. From your perspective your comments were intended to help her/him focus on the topics covered by the course.

http://www.tss.uoguelph.ca/id/ta/tahb/tah5a.html