{"id":1784,"date":"2024-08-06T09:27:49","date_gmt":"2024-08-06T16:27:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/ubcsauderteachingplaybook\/?p=1784"},"modified":"2024-08-06T10:21:44","modified_gmt":"2024-08-06T17:21:44","slug":"teaching-assistants-tas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/ubcsauderteachingplaybook\/teaching-assistants-tas\/","title":{"rendered":"Teaching Assistants (TAs)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

TA Appointment Types<\/strong><\/h2>
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Photo by Matthew Henry<\/a> from Burst<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A student may hold only one<\/em> of these appointment types for a course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All hiring paperwork must be submitted to HR a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the start of any TA\/Marker-related work (including participating in Training)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Marker<\/strong><\/td>Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA)<\/strong><\/td>Senior Teaching Assistant (STA)<\/strong><\/td>Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Marks exams, tests or assignments that require only objective marking. Only responsible for marking work, no other TA duties are assigned.   No student contact.<\/td>Lab instruction; leading discussions\/ tutorials\/lectures; marking exams\/ tests\/assignments; invigilation duties; academic assistance during office hours.<\/td>Coordinating other Teaching Assistants; providing guidance, technical knowledge, and\/or subject matter expertise to other Teaching Assistants. Often referred to as Head TA\u2019s.<\/em><\/td>Lab instruction; leading discussions\/tutorials\/ lectures; marking exams\/ tests\/assignments; invigilation duties; academic assistance during office hours.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

See <\/em>UBC Sauder Hub<\/em> <\/a>for a complete overview of the TA\/Marker Hiring process.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, see the guidelines for hiring TAs<\/a> .<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

UBC Sauder TA Training<\/strong><\/h2>
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Sauder Divisional Assistants will coordinate enrolling TA(s) in the TA Training course on Canvas. If a Sauder Instructor wants to be added to the TA training course, they can be added by their Divisional Assistant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Total Hours<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First-time TA\u2019s<\/strong>: 5 hours + instructor discretion of skills-based training*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning TA\u2019s<\/strong>: 90 minutes + instructor discretion of skills-based training*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*Refer to the \u201cSkills-based Training Options\u201d below to identify the items TA(s) may need to complete based upon their specific role, responsibilities, and experience and communicate the expectations with the TA(s).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TA\u2019s and Markers must be paid (at their regular rate) for their participation in training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mandatory Training Requirements<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/td>New TA\u2019s<\/strong><\/td>Returning TA\u2019s<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
UBC-wide mandatory online modules (one-time requirement)<\/strong> (Workplace Violence Prevention, Privacy & Information Security, Preventing Bullying & Harassment, etc.)<\/td>~3 hours<\/td>n\/a<\/td><\/tr>
UBC Sauder HR Orientation<\/strong> (employment expectations & TA\/Marker Collective Agreement, payroll, key contacts, etc.)<\/td>~30 minutes<\/td>30 minutes<\/td><\/tr>
Administrative Set-up & Information Security<\/strong> (UBC VPN, multi-factor authentication, UBC Sauder email, etc.)<\/td>~30 minutes<\/td>Resources available for reference<\/td><\/tr>
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion <\/strong> (gender diversity, racial diversity, inclusive teaching practices, making referrals, health & wellbeing resources, etc.)<\/td>~30 minutes<\/td>1 hour (optional, but recommended)<\/td><\/tr>
The TA Role<\/strong> (UBC Sauder academic policies, confidentiality & conflict of interest, professional communication, time management, etc.)<\/td>~30 minutes<\/td>Resources available for reference<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

All mandatory training is provided in a self-paced, asynchronous format.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skills-based Training Options<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canvas<\/strong> (content pages, course files, discussion boards, video content, etc.)<\/td>15 \u2013 60 minutes self-paced asynchronous<\/td><\/tr>
Grading<\/strong> (gradebook, speedgrader, rubrics, fairness & consistency)<\/td>15 \u2013 30 minutes self-paced asynchronous<\/td><\/tr>
Facilitation<\/strong> (online facilitation techniques, in-person facilitation techniques, iClicker, etc.)<\/td>15 minutes \u2013 2 hours self-paced asynchronous & synchronous interactive options available (depending on level of hands-on practice desired)<\/td><\/tr>
Technology<\/strong> (Zoom lecture moderation, Zoom attendance\/participation tracking, video creation, in-class AV tech support, etc.)<\/td>15 \u2013 60 minutes self-paced asynchronous content & synchronous interactive options available (depending on level of hands-on practice desired)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Time ranges provided due to variation in TA roles and responsibilities; some TA\u2019s may benefit from reviewing all content in a Module, while others may only need to review one or two topics.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Payment<\/strong><\/h2>
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For information on TA pay rates, please see the UBC Sauder Hub.<\/a> or speak with the Divisional Assistant.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How do I add my TA to my Canvas course? <\/strong><\/h2>
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To add a TA to a Sauder Canvas course, please contact the divisional assistant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more general information on the process of adding TA’s to Canvas, please consult UBC’s documentation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Marking and Grading with TAs <\/strong><\/h2>
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Before marking with TAs it is worth taking a few minutes to explicitly state the aims of the assignment and the importance of the TAs role in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider!<\/em><\/strong>  Is what you are asking appropriate for an undergraduate student to mark?<\/p>\n\n\n\n