Hello LFS TAs,

With the end of the 2022 term fast approaching we have two items to share.

First, opportunities to attend the Instructional Skills Workshops (ISW) are drawing to a close for this academic year. The ISWs are very popular at the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT). They usually have a very long waitlist and are difficult to get into. LFS has agreed to cover the cost of $225 to attend for 6 TAs in our faculty. If you would like to attend and have it paid for by LFS please let one of us know immediately (spots are limited). The ISW workshops are planning to transition back to an in-person format before September (pending Public Health Orders) which will likely increase the waitlist. Undergraduate and graduate TAs are welcome.  

If you would like some additional information on the ISW please watch the video prepared by CTLT here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO2O6t4Fs1M&feature=emb_logo

Once complete, you would receive a certificate of completion and a note on your transcript that you have successfully attending this internationally recognized training opportunity.

Second, our final TA training workshop will be happening in early April. This workshop will focus on tips for marking final exams and essays. If you have any pressing questions that you would like to see covered in this workshop now is the time to let us know.

Cheers,

Hello LFS TAs,

Happy Wednesday! As announced previously, we are going to have a ’Student Participation & Engagement, Returning to In-Person Teaching’ Workshop tomorrow (Feb 17th) 11AM-12PM at MCML 258.

For any folks who would like to attend but cannot make it in person, livestreaming is also available at:

Hello LFS TAs,

Happy Monday! We would like to welcome everyone to attend a ‘Returning to In-Person Teaching‘ workshop happening this Thursday (the 17th) from 11:00-12:00 in MCML 258.

To help keep everyone safe, we will follow all UBC COVID-19 procedures for distancing, mask wearing and sanitizing of indoor spaces. To help us set up the room, please RSVP using the Qualtrics link below:

We will provide coffee and donuts at the end of the session that can be taken to go. (Yay!)

Cheers,

Hello LFS TAs,

The February Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) still has some space available. Dates are as follows:

Meeting 1: Tuesday, Feb. 1, 4 – 6 PM
Meeting 2: Sunday, Feb. 6, 9 AM – 3 PM
Meeting 3: Thursday, Feb. 10, 9 AM – 5 PM
Meeting 4: Sunday, Feb. 13, 9 AM – 5 PM

This is a really great learning experience to further your skills as a knowledge facilitator!

If you would like more information please visit the ISW website here. 

If you are interested in attending, please let us know ASAP.

Cheers, 

Hello LFS TAs, 

Hopefully everyone had a chance to enjoy some time away from their studies over the holiday season. The Centre for Teaching and Learning Technologies (CTLT) is holding a series of workshops that may be of interest. You can attend any number of the workshops offered below. If you attend 4 of a particular ‘theme’ and complete the posted pre/post sessions questions, CTLT will provide you with a letter of completion. Information on the themes and pre/post questions can be found here. 

Offered sessions include: 

Accessibility-Centred Design: Creating Inclusive Learning Environments

January 17, 2022, 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Establishing a Positive TA Experience Working with Faculty Members: Do’s and Don’ts

January 18, 2022, 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Race and Classroom Power Dynamics in TA’ing

January 18, 2022, 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Presentation and Lecturing Skills

January 18, 2022, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Checking Our Work: An Introduction to Researching Your Own Teaching

January 19, 2022, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Adapting the Classroom Environment for Flexible Teaching Models: Face-to-Face, Online and Hybrid Learning

January 19, 2022, 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Time Management Skills for Graduate Students and TAs – January 19, 2022

January 19, 2022, 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Leading Online Synchronous Discussions… When should I? How should I?

January 20, 2022, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Introduction to TA Training for Classroom Climate and Indigenous Topics

January 20, 2022, 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Welcome to Your Union! Knowing—and USING—Your TA Rights

January 20, 2022, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

In a Room or on Zoom: How to Balance Participatory Learning with Didactic Lecturing

January 21, 2022, 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Trauma-Informed Teaching

January 21, 2022, 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Making the Grade: Marking, Feedback and Assessment for Learning

January 21, 2022, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Hello LFS TAs,

This is Amelie, one of the LFS TA Coordinators for the 2021-22 academic year (the other being Alysha who sent out the email about ISW seat reservation previously). As we are nearing the end of winter term 1, we would like to invite you to reflect on your experience as a TA and provide feedback to the LFS TA Training Program.

Please let us know your needs as a TA and how this program can support your professional development by completing the anonymous TA Needs Assessment Survey below:

This survey consists of 8 questions, which takes about 10-15 min to complete. The survey is always open, but it would be much appreciated if you could submit your response by Dec 10. Your responses will help us identify potential ways to improve the training program and coordinate future TA orientation and workshops based on your needs and interest. Please stay tuned for more information about the coming events!

If you have any questions or concerns about the survey, please do not hesitate to contact me or Alysha.

Best regards,

Amelie Zhang (amelie.huiying.zhang@ubc.ca)

Alysha Deslippe (alyshade@student.ubc.ca)

LFS TA Training Coordinators

Hello LFS TA community,

My name is Alysha and I am one of the two new LFS TA coordinators for this school year. We wanted to share with everyone a really great learning opportunity offered by the The Center for Teaching, Learning and Technologies (CTLT) here at UBC.

CTLT runs a variety of really great workshops available to TAs. In particular, they have a multi-session training program called the ‘Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW)’ that is recognized by various other institutions. The ISW walks through some basics in knowledge facilitation in hands on ways (ex. learning how to incorporate experiential learning techniques into teaching practice).

More information about the ISW, including when it’s offered can be found here: https://ctlt.ubc.ca/programs/all-our-programs/instructional-skills-workshops/

If anyone is interested, LFS has committed 6 seats to graduate TAs in the faculty. This means that you would be able to attend the ISW without having to pay the registration fees. Please reply to this email with your name and the course(s) you are currently TAing if you would like of those seats. Once a seat has been assigned, you will be able to pick the dates in consultation with CTLT that best fit your schedule to attend.

If at any point you have questions or recommendations about TA related training or events please don’t hesitate to let myself or Amelie know.

Cheers,

Alysha

Doctoral Student, Human Nutrition

Amelie

Master student, Food Science