university teaching seminar 2011 leading a lab possibly the most formative method of instruction for...

University Teaching Seminar 2011

Leading a LabPossibly the most formative method of instruction for your students

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Introductions

• Bernie Anding – Chemistry• Session 1 and 2

• Ling Li – GDCB (Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology)

• Session 2


What will you learn here?

• The structure of a common lab session structure• Student assessment • Your TA duties• The two most important things• Teaching Styles• Time management

• preparation is key to successful learning• grading• your expected effort

• Funding and significance

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Think Pair Share (TPS)

• Think - take a few moments to consider the questions

• Pair - find a partner, compare thoughts, and identify the best answers

• Share - contribute to the discussion (sugary bribe)


Big Picture

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• TPS: Why have labs?

• TPS: Why were the structures of those courses?

http://wn.com/Muppet_Show__Nuclear_Powered_Shaver


A common scientific lab session…

• Pre lab/ Introduction• Deliverables Exchange

• new to you, graded to them• Laboratory discussion - objective,

background, lecture relevance• Demonstration & Training• Lay out activity sequence

• Activity time• Observe demonstrations• Provide technical support and

guidance• Clean up

• Don’t let your students be lazy

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This must all be completed in

the allocated lab time


Student Deliverables

• Demonstration / Presentation• Formal documentation of results

Assessment

• In-person formative criticism• Observation

• teamwork, behavior, methodology, skill, demonstration

• Documentation review • accuracy, methodology, completeness, clarity, professionalism

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General Rubric:


Importance of Feedback

• “Academic feedback is more strongly and consistently related to achievement than any other teaching behavior….”

• Bellon, Jerry, Bellon, Elner, and Blank, Mary Ann. Teaching from a Research Knowledge Base: A Development and Renewal Process. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1992. (pp. 277-278)


Think Back

• TPS:• What were your favorite lab courses?• How did your most-liked teachers influence

your excitement and learning?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxPVyieptwA&feature=related


What do you expect for yourself?• What do you know about your lab TA

duties?• Course name?• Instructor’s name?• How many sections you will be

responsible for?• Your role(s)?

• instructor, grader, lab content developer

• Teaching team? • team teaching, designated grader, solo

• Lecture attendance? • mandatory, requested, voluntary

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The Two Most Important Things• Your attendance!

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030422/world.htm


Two Most Important Things• SAFETY!!!

http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Muppet_Labs


Safety• PPE• Hazardous material &

equipment handling• Proper waste disposal• Delicate equipment tolerances• Response procedures• Emergency resources

• Public safety – : 911• Environmental Health &

Safety - : 294-5359• Ask the course instructor

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Teaching Style Variables

Supervision Hands-off Hands-on

Grading Lenient Strict

Professionalism Peer Authority Figure

• Choose what suits you• Establish your style on day one!


Time Management

• Lab preparation• Lab execution

• Pre-lab instruction• In-session assessment (e.g.

demonstrations)• Assistance• Clean-up

• Grading• The rest of your life

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Preparation• Ideally you have completed the lab yourself• Familiarize yourself with the lab environment• Be ready to explain lab at many levels

• Connecting lecture to lab is powerful• Be ready to assist students with challenges• Collect and assemble appropriate materials and

working equipment• Prepare laboratory challenges (e.g.

unknowns)• Get comfortable with any demonstrations

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Finances

• How are you funded this semester?• Where is your funding coming from for

your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. semesters?


Your Funding• Degree and Department dependent• Types of TA funding levels:

• None• Partial (less than 20 hours)• Full (20 hours or more)

• Funding sources:• TA – Department (typically)• RA – Major professor (typically)• Fellowships• Private/Personal

• Funding sources drive expectations• Split funding can be very stressful

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Why does this job matter?


Questions

http://0.tqn.com/d/collegeapps/1/5/S/B/-/-/santa-clara-university-linda-brunauer-chemistry-lab.jpg


If you don’t remember anything else…

1) Show up2) Be safe3) Provide feedback

Please fill out the session review form before you leave.

university teaching seminar 2011 leading a lab possibly the most formative method of instruction for...

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