The Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning (GMCTL) offers a selection of sessions and experiences focused on developing specific skills and knowledge relevant to roles as a Teaching Assistant (TA).

You can select and be recognized for the sessions and experiences that are most relevant to you, including experiences on marking effectively; lesson planning; facilitating labs, problem-set tutorials, or seminars; and more.

TA Success Day

As part of the TA Success Series (described below), we offer TA Success Day(s).  These sessions are focused on developing specific skills and knowledge relevant to working as a Teaching Assistant (TA). Topics include: marking effectively; lesson planning; and facilitating labs, problem-set tutorials, and seminars. Attendance is recognized on the co-curricular record when you attend three or more sessions.

TA Success Day(s) regularly take place in early September and early January. Registration will open approximately one month in advance.

Winter 2021: January 5 & 6

Schedule of Events

Click on the dates listed below to view the schedule of sessions for each. Registration links are provided within the schedule.

Tuesday, January 5

Time

Session

 Registration Links

9:00-9:40 am
Understanding your Collective Agreement

Register

9:50-10:30 am
 What you need to know about Copyright

Register

10:40-11:20 am
Netiquette

Register

11:30 am -12:10 pm
How to Use Panopto

Register

1:00-2:00 pm
Grading Written Papers & Projects

Register

2:10-3:10 pm
Facilitating Synchronus Seminars & Sessions

Register

3:20-4:20 pm
Navigating Canvas

Register

Wednesday, January 6

Time

Session

Registration Links

9:00-9:50 am
Facilitating Practical Labs

Register

10:00-10:50 am
Introduction to Lesson Planning

Register

11:00-11:50 am
Professional Relationships as a TA

Register

12:30 -1:30 pm
Grading Problem Sets & Labs

Register

1:40-2:40 pm
Dealing with Challenging Conversations

Register

2:50-3:40 pm
Facilitating Discussion Boards Effectively

Register

3:45-4:30 pm
Speed Socializing: 
Meet other TAs in a facilitated 'quick intro activity.

Register

TA Success Series

You can select and be recognized for the sessions and experiences that are most relevant to you, including experiences on marking effectively; lesson planning; facilitating labs, problem-set tutorials, or seminars; and more.

How to take part: If you are interested in taking part and being recognized for participating in the complete TA Success Series, register by emailing sara.dzaman@usask.ca. Please include your NSID.
Upon registration, you will be registered in a Blackboard Learn course called “GMCTL TA Success Series”.
Registration is ongoing.

Recognition: Your attendance, participation, and completion of each element will be recognized on your Co-Curricular Record.

Timeline: All activities should be completed within approximately one academic year. The activities are able to be completed in as little as 2 months.

Activities

Attend five (5) GMCTL workshops and then write a reflective paper. Submit your reflection on Blackboard Learn in the TA success series course. You will find the 'Workshop Reflection Guidelines' on Blackboard Learn.  Attendance at sessions will be tracked by the GMCTL. 

Workshops available:

  • Fall Fortnight for Teaching and Learning - A series of sessions for anyone involved with teaching at the University of Saskatchewan. 
  • TA Success Day(s) A grouping of sessions over a single day/dates that are focused on developing specific skills and knowledge relevant to teaching as a TA. These sessions are typically scheduled at the beginning of Fall and Winter terms. (see above)

Arrange to meet with and/or observe an instructor or experienced TA in a role similar to yours and discuss and/or analyze their approach and process for completing their work.

  • Examine choices in teaching strategies, how to interact with students, assessment strategies, tips, tricks, challenges, etc.
  • Complete the “Conversation or Observation Record Template” and submit on Blackboard Learn

Offered in September, October, and February.  The next session will run February 3 & 24 from 10:00-11:30 am.  Space is limited, sign up early.  Details will be available in Canvas – please email sara.dzaman@usask.ca if you want to be added to the TA Success Series for access. This experience includes a number of steps. You will need to be able to attend both 90-minute sessions.

The steps include:

  1. Participate in a 90-minute workshop on microteaching lesson planning,
  2. Write, submit, and revise a lesson plan on a chosen topic of interest,
  3. Deliver a micro-lesson to a group of peers and a GMCTL Educational Developer during a second 90-minute workshop
  4. Write a reflection on your micro-lesson

Organize and present a guest lecture in a suitable course or present a TA Success Day session. GMCTL staff may provide suggestions with planning the guest lecture, but does not arrange guest lecture opportunities.

  • As part of the lecture, request feedback from the instructor using the “Lecture Instructor Feedback Template”
  • Write a Reflection on your experience by answering the questions on “Guest Lecture Reflection Template”
  • Submit your completed feedback from the instructor and reflection on Blackboard Learn in the TA Success Series course

For more information contact:

Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning