VSE Workshop for Teaching Assistant (TA)
In the VSE TA Workshop, we provided some important resources, essential for the incoming Teaching Assistants. I think everyone within the teaching and learning community can benefit from reviewing these tips and suggestions. So here it is:
- If you are starting off as a TA at your graduate school, it’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with your University’s policy on the appointment of graduate students and the TA guideline provided by your department. You can find UBC resources here:
- Your department and University are very likely to offer TA workshops and training programs; these are free programs and will also add weight to your CV. You might also want to look into professional development courses offered by your University for graduate students.
Here is a list offered by UBC:
CTLT Presentations:
- Familiarize yourself with the learning management system (LMS) used by the department or the University. These will be used for interacting & communicating with the students, and to maintain and update grades and student rosters. I mostly use Canvas and My Econlab.
i) CANVAS: This is a Learning management system offered by UBC and is used by most VSE faculty. I have curated a short and comprehensive playlist for Canvas- you will learn how to a) organize content, b) Post Announcements, c) Create Assignments, and d) Upload and Maintain Grades.
https://www.lynda.com/SharedPlaylist/5a077cfc321a4c7388a8af951313f9d6
ii) MyLab: is a learning management system for Pearson textbooks.
Here is a screencast of my session with a TA, where we discuss how to enter grades and manage class list
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLodnYOww5O-wD3QalMcuMx3r_k5VPJUWd
- Advice from your senior TAs is the most useful resource for any newcomer. So, invite them for coffee, or email them and ask them for pointers.