Schedule and Sessions

Tuesday, August 13

1:00 - 2:00 p.m. - Orientation Welcome (Independence Hall)

2:20 - 5:00 p.m. - Introduction to Teaching and Learning: Part 1 (Enarson Classroom Building)

Wednesday, August 14

9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Introduction to Teaching and Learning: Part II (Enarson Classroom Building)

9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Teaching as a Grader (Enarson Classroom Building)

12:30 - 2:00 p.m. - Lunch (on your own)

2:00 - 3:30 p.m. - University Policies and Procedures Every Teacher Should Know (Mershon Auditorium)

3:45 - 4:45 p.m. - Teaching Resource Fair (Ohio Union)

Thursday, August 15

9:00 - 10:15 a.m. - College Teaching Topics (Morning Sessions)

10:30 - 11:45 a.m. - College Teaching Topics (Morning Sessions)

1:00 - 2:15 p.m. - College Teaching Topics (Afternoon Sessions)

2:30 - 3:45 p.m. - College Teaching Topics (Afternoon Sessions)

 

 

Session Descriptions

Introduction to Teaching and Learning (Two-Day Sequence)

Participants are expected to attend this entire sequence, which runs over 1½ days. Three different sessions — the core of the orientation — address fundamental teaching principles and strategies.

Orientation Welcome (Day One)

Aug 13 @ 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. - Independence Hall

In this interactive session, we will explore the culture for teaching and learning at Ohio State, learn a little about Ohio State students, and be introduced to the Orientation’s structure and goals. You must attend this overview session if you are also attending Introduction to Teaching & Learning, Parts I and II.

Introduction to Teaching and Learning: Part I (Day One)

Aug 13 @ 2:20 - 5:00 p.m. - Enarson Classroom Building

For this session, you will be assigned to a group with other new GTAs who come in from a similar, although not necessarily the same, discipline (i.e., humanities, life sciences, social sciences). The groups also will have responsibilities in similar teaching contexts (i.e., clinical setting, independent course, lab, lab/recitation combination, recitation, studio). If you attend Part I of this session, you also must attend Part II. In Part I, we will discuss who we are as teachers, how better to get to know our students, how to clarify our goals and expectations for courses, and how to plan for working together with our students to advance their learning, with particular emphasis on the first day of class.

Introduction to Teaching and Learning: Part II (Day Two)

Aug 14 @ 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Enarson Classroom Building

In Part II, you will return to meet with the same cohort with which you met during Part I. During Part II, we will learn more about how our students learn, how to actively engage students in their learning, and about teaching techniques that may work best in our specific teaching context (e.g., teaching in a lab, recitation, studio, etc.). We also will have an opportunity to practice teaching a short lesson. Next, we will address a variety of feedback techniques that we can use to improve our teaching, even as early as the first academic term. If you attend Part II, you also must have attended Part I.

 

Teaching as a Grader

Aug 14 @ 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Enarson Classroom Building

“Teaching as a Grader” is based on “Introduction to Teaching and Learning,” but the material is streamlined and made more relevant for those GTAs whose primary responsibility will be grading for another instructor. You will discuss your role and responsibilities as a Grader and how to get to know your students. You’ll also have the opportunity to walk through some office hour scenarios and get hands-on practice with grading.

 

University Policies and Procedures Every Teacher Should Know

Aug 14 @ 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. - Mershon Auditorium

It doesn’t have to be difficult to decide how to understand your responsibilities as an instructor, to handle academic misconduct issues, to make appropriate referrals, and to create positive teacher-student relationships. You are strongly encouraged to attend this session to learn about Ohio State policies and the resources and strategies available to help you implement them. Topics covered include FERPA regulations (University Registrar), supporting distressed or disruptive students (Counseling and Consultation Services), academic integrity (Committee on Academic Misconduct), working with students who have disabilities (Disability Services), and sexual harassment (Human Resources).

 

Teaching Resource Fair

Aug 14 @ 3:45 - 4:45 p.m. - Ohio Union

Learn from representatives from a variety of campus and campus-partnering organizations about resources that can help support your teaching at Ohio State. In addition to complimentary informational materials, free food and drink are provided (first come, first served). Learn more about the Teaching Resource Fair.

 

College Teaching Topics

Aug 15 @ 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. - Enarson Classroom Building (unless otherwise noted)

College Teaching Topics are designed to address specific topics and strategies that you may encounter during your teaching career. Concurrent sessions are offered in four timeframes: two morning sessions, and two afternoon sessions. During registration, participants choose the sessions they would like to attend. UITL staff use their preferences to build an individual schedule for each participant.

  • Designing Assignments, Quizzes, and Tests
    Assessing student learning involves much more planning than many people realize. If you anticipate designing your own assignments and exams as a GTA, this session will assist you in creating learning objectives and designing quizzes, assignments, and exams that test for the skills you desire.
  • Developing Effective Presentation Skills
    Good presentation skills are important in helping students learn the material and keeping them engaged in the learning process. In this session, you will examine and practice planning strategies and good delivery techniques.
  • Facilitating Classroom Discussion
    Class discussion can be an effective method for getting students involved in most types of classes. In this session, you will learn how to encourage and maintain student involvement, respond to individual contributions, and employ questioning strategies.
  • Fair and Efficient Grading
    In this session, you will discuss grading techniques that provide appropriate and clear feedback to students and maintain fairness. We will also address issues related to grading under the supervision of a faculty member. Note: This session focuses on grading quizzes and tests. If you are more interested in learning how to grade papers and essays, you may want to register for "Responding to Student Writing". Additionally, if you are going to be teaching as a Grader, please do not register for this session.
  • Responding to Student Writing
    Most course instructors will be asked to respond to and evaluate various forms of student writing, which may include lab reports, translations, essay exams, memos, online discussion board postings, and position papers. In this session, facilitated by CSTW staff, you will learn how responding effectively to assignments will ease your subsequent responsibility of assigning grades, and will help students improve their writing.
  • Writing and Critical Thinking: Quick and Easy Assignments for Any Classroom
    Critical thinking is an important skill for students in any classroom. In this workshop, Writing Across the Curriculum consultants will help GTAs define what critical thinking means in their discipline. Participants will then develop effective and efficient writing activities that help students work on critical thinking skills while also helping instructors assess student learning.
  • Increasing Student Success Through the Use of Effective Study Strategies
    Although you may expect all of your students to come to your class well prepared to learn, the reality is that some may need additional assistance. Staff from the Dennis Learning Center will show you how to help students develop more strategic, effective study techniques. Resources from the Learning Center also will be provided.
  • REACH© Suicide Prevention Training
    Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. In this session, a certified instructor from Ohio State’s Campus Suicide Prevention Training Program will teach you about prevention and early intervention techniques designed to help save a life from suicide. Specifically, the training will provide the necessary knowledge and skills required to recognize warning signs and risk factors for suicide; identify three steps to help prevent a death by suicide; understand the role of depression and mental illness; replace fear with positive action; talk to someone about suicide; and locate available campus and community resources and support.
  • International Teachers: Communication Maintenance Strategies
    Some international, non–native English speaking teachers may have some initial concerns about teaching to American students. To assist with this issue, this session — facilitated by instructors from Ohio State’s Spoken English Program — will provide you with concrete teaching strategies such as active listening, responding to and paraphrasing questions to improve understanding, and using appropriate and concrete illustrations to enhance teaching skills.
  • International Teachers: Experienced ITAs Share Their Perspectives
    This session is designed for new and experienced international teachers. You will hear from experienced international instructors about their experiences with respect to teaching in an educational system that is not the same as the one in which you were educated. In addition, questions may be addressed about being an international graduate student, functioning within Ohio State’s university system, and living in Columbus, Ohio.
  • Teaching With Carmen
    This overview of Carmen, facilitated by staff from ODEE, addresses its impact on the student experience and connects participants to resources for implementing Ohio State’s learning technology toolset. After this session, participants will be able to describe what Carmen is and what its basic functions are, recognize student expectations for Carmen use, and locate additional resources about Carmen and other Ohio State supported tools.

    From 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in room 012, participants may join ODEE’s Carmen support team for an open lab on the CarmenCanvas learning management system and other Ohio State supported learning technologies. Explore the tools, ask questions, and get individualized support based on your teaching needs.
  • Panel: Teaching in an Online Context
    This session is designed for TAs who will be teaching online, (either in part or for a whole course) and is appropriate for both new and experienced teachers who are new to the online environment. You will hear from a panel of online instructors about their experiences departing from a traditional face-to-face classroom, including the role and responsibilities of an online instructor, time management, and ways to be visible to students. In addition, questions may be addressed about working collaboratively with other instructors, setting up a syllabus, assessing online student learning, and useful resources. You will begin a plan for ways to communicate with your online students, to define your instructional responsibilities and to build meaningful interactions into your course.