Teaching Assistant Program — Wednesday and Thursday, August 20-21, 2008
Sponsored by the Teaching Resource Center and the Office of the Provost

Especially for beginning teaching assistants; all who teach are invited.

Online pre-registration requested

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

8:15-8:50 Check-In/Registration & Refreshments
Old Cabell Hall Lobby

9:00-9:20 Welcome to Teaching at U.Va.
J. Milton Adams, Vice Provost for Academic Programs
Old Cabell Hall Auditorium

9:30-11:00 Teaching the First Days of Class
Liz Wittner, ITA Program Coordinator (CAELC) Cabell 311
Gina Alexander, Graduate Instructor (Nursing) Cabell 320
Brian Pailes, Graduate Instructor (Civil and Environmental Engineering) Cabell 323
Roberto Armengol, Graduate Instructor (Anthropology) Cabell 324
Lydia Brandt, Graduate Instructor (Architectural History) Cabell 325
Katherine Heller, Graduate Instructor (Mathematics) Cabell 337
Alison Caviness, Graduate Instructor (English) Cabell 338

Get practical advice about how to keep the butterflies under control and get your class off to a good start.

11:00-11:10 Break with refreshments
Old Cabell Hall Lobby

11:15-12:45 CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Making It Work for Everyone: How to Teach All Students Effectively
Carey Sargent, Graduate Instructor (Sociology) Cabell 311
As a U.Va. faculty member has said about teaching our diverse student population, "Sensitivity isn't enough; you need strategies." This workshop offers useful strategies for teaching the variety of students we meet at U.Va. Participants will learn how different backgrounds shape students' classroom experiences and how we can create inclusive learning environments.

Successful Teaching Techniques To Use in the Lab
Jennifer Cunningham, Graduate Instructor (Science Education) Cabell 325
Learn ways to make laboratory classes a successful setting in which to pursue scientific inquiry and enhance scientific understanding.

Teaching Problem-Solving Sessions
Justin Smoyer, Graduate Instructor (Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering) Cabell 323
Edward Murphy, Associate Professor (Astronomy) Cabell 324
Get tips on how to be successful teaching a problem-solving section in science, social science, or engineering.

Facilitating Classroom Discussions
Ryan Cordell, Graduate Instructor (English) Cabell 320
Mitchell Green, Cavalier's Distinguished Teaching Associate Professor (Philosophy) Cabell 337
Alison Caviness, Graduate Instructor (English) Cabell 338
Discuss ways to effectively facilitate classroom discussions, including tips for maximizing student preparation and participation, asking compelling questions to stimulate exciting and productive exchanges, guiding discussion without stifling students' creativity, and grading participation fairly.

Making Your Presentations Count
Judith Reagan, TRC Associate Director (Drama) Old Cabell Hall Auditorium
Brush up on your classroom "presence." Participate in exercises geared to reduce stage fright, increase concentration, and center and strengthen your voice.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

8:15-8:50 Check-In/Registration & Refreshments
Old Cabell Hall Lobby

9:00-9:20 Welcome to Teaching at U.Va.
Angela Davis, Associate Dean Of Students, Director Of Residence Life and Associate Professor (English)
Old Cabell Hall Auditorium

9:30-11:00 Difficult Classroom Situations
Kanshukan Rajaratnam, Graduate Instructor (Systems & Information Engineering) Cabell 316
Laura Hawthorne, Graduate Instructor (Religious Studies) Cabell 320
Mary Thompson, Graduate Instructor (Nursing) Cabell 323
Roberto Armengol, Graduate Instructor (Anthropology) Cabell 324
Matthew Munson, Graduate Instructor (Religious Studies) Cabell 325
Katherine Heller, Graduate Instructor (Mathematics) Cabell 337
Michael Palmer, TRC Faculty Consultant (Chemistry) Cabell 338

What if your students say a test is unfair?…talk during others' presentations?…question the grades on their papers? By discussing scenarios of some teachers' nightmares, you enhance your chances of avoiding any yourself.

11:00-11:10 Break with refreshments
Old Cabell Hall Lobby

11:15-12:45 CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Tips and Techniques for Grading Student Writing
Does the class, lab, or discussion section you teach require you to grade student writing? And piles of it? In this workshop, we'll discuss strategies for grading and commenting on student writing quickly, fairly, and effectively. We'll also discuss ways to prepare students better for their writing assignments.

Science, Engineering and Math
A focus on scientific writing, including essays, lab reports, and short answer exams...
Ashli Moore, Graduate Instructor (Biology) Cabell 325
• geared towards TAs grading such subjects as biology, physics, chemistry, environmental
sciences, etc.
Brendan Hogan, Graduate Instructor (Systems & Information Engineering) Cabell 324
• geared towards TAs grading such subjects as engineering, computer science, etc.

Humanities and Social Science
A focus on essays, short answer and essay exams...
Richard Gibson, Graduate Instructor (English) Cabell 338
• geared towards TAs grading such subjects as literature, art or architectural history,
philosophy, religious studies, etc.
Lindsay Wright, Director of the U.Va. Writing Center (English) Cabell 323
• geared towards TAs grading such subjects as history, anthropology, politics,
sociology, psychology, etc.

Teaching Math to Majors, Non-Majors, Pre-Meds, Engineers
Tai Melcher, Assistant Professor (Mathematics) Cabell 316
Explore innovative pedagogical techniques to create an effective learning environment in a variety of math course settings.

Moving Beyond Learning Disabilities in Foreign Language Courses
Emily Scida, Associate Professor (Spanish, Italian & Portuguese) Cabell 337
How to spot learning disabilities and accommodate students with them in your course.

12:55-1:25 TAs & the Honor System
Honor Committee Members Old Cabell Hall Auditorium
What should you do if you see students cheating? What can you do to promote academic integrity? Led by members of the Honor Committee, this session will cover how to include the Honor System in your syllabus, what to do if you suspect cheating, and your options and responsibilities as an instructor. There will be time at the end of the presentation for your questions.

1:30-2:30 Lunch
The TRC and your Dean want to provide you with an opportunity to talk informally with each other. Workshop participants who pre-register can pick up their lunches following the Honor Committee's presentation.

1:30-2:30 Lunch for International TAs
Wilson Hall 301
International Teaching Assistants who will teach for the first time at U.Va. during the Fall 2008 semester should plan to attend this session to discuss informally teaching in an American university classroom. A panel of experienced international TAs will share their experiences, offer practical suggestions, and answer questions.