Research > EOS-SEI > Project
Developing a training course for teaching assistants (TAs)
EOSC 516 Teaching and Learning in the Earth and Ocean Sciences
Goals
Every year, graduate students in the Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences (EOS) contribute to the delivery of more than 50 undergraduate courses, interacting with more than 1000 students. The department employs approximately 60 Teaching Assistants (TAs) per year, at an average rate of 6.1 hours per week per TA. EOS TAs contribute to the education of our undergraduates in many ways: they run laboratory sessions, lead in-class tutorials and mini-lectures, support students one-on-one at our help centre, lead field trips, and mark assignments and exams. Until 2007, our department had no formal system to train and support TAs; experience was gained on the ground with the support of the course instructor and of fellow TAs. The obvious limitations of "training by practice" was compounded by a relatively high turnover rate; every year, approximately 30 new TAs start teaching in the department. Recognizing the important role TAs play in the education of our undergraduates and the opportunity in professional development for our graduate students, the Earth and Ocean Sciences department began a graduate course, entitled Teaching and Learning in the Earth and Ocean Sciences, in 2007.
In this course graduate students practice teaching and presentation skills, reflect on teaching experiences, learn tips and tricks for the classrooms and develop the knowledge of learner-centered pedagogy.
Course Goals By the end of this course the participants will be able to:
- Design and implement mini-lessons and lab assignments for Earth and Ocean Science courses using the frameworks provided in the course
- Create an environment conducive to learning for diverse groups of students
- Develop strategies for fostering student inquiry and independent learning in Earth and Ocean Sciences while meeting students' need for support
- Formulate learning objectives for TA-led activities in Earth and Ocean Science courses
- Effectively evaluate peers and provide constructive feedback on others' teaching
- Engage in critical reflection on one's own teaching practice
Implementation
This course is offered to all graduate students in EOS each Fall.
EOSC 516 is closely based on the Instructional Skills Workshop model (www.iswnetwork.ca). Course meetings occur every 2 weeks, alternating between large group (all enrolled students) and small group (4-5 enrolled students) sessions. A total of 7 meetings occur throughout the semester. In addition to course meetings, students work independently on a large group project and course readings.
People: (See also contacts) Brett Gilley, and TAs who help run the course, including
- Tom-Pierre Frappé-Sénéclauze: Jan 07 - Dec 07
- Peter Lelievre: May 07 - May 08
- Melissa Gray: May 07 - May 08
- Brendan Smithyman: Sept 08 - Sept 09
- Neil Swart: Sept 09 - Dec 09
- Rebecca Taylor: Sept 09 - Dec 10
- Jason McAlister: Sept 10 - presen
Progress
The course has been running since Fall 2007 and every student surveyed has said they would recommend it to other graduate students in EOS.
Products (papers, presentations, etc)
- Course home page with links to UBC Calendar page, and course outline, content, etc.
- Results of surveying students taking the course
- Pre/post Teaching Attitude survey results
- Poster - "Using Experiential Learning to Develop Teaching (and Learning) Skills: Training Graduate Students to Teach Earth and Ocean Sciences", by Rebecca L. Taylor, Brett H. Gilley.
Intentions
- The course is intended to remain as a standard offering for all EOS (and other) graduate students.
Anticipated benefits to undergraduate learning
Providing an opportunity for graduate students to practice proven pedagogic principles is a crucial component of ensuring that future generations of academics and post secondary instructors are well-versed in instructional practices as well as being experts in their fields of study. This will benefit all undergraduate students taught by these graduate students.
