New TA Conference

Overview

The New TA Conference is training for all new teaching assistants. Registration is required. Over one day, participants explore strategies and philosophies of good teaching while getting to know more experienced graduate students.

The New TA Conference will take place on Thursday, September 20, 2012.
Update 9/7: Registration for the Conference is now closed.

Structure

After a brief orientation, new TAs work with a graduate student teaching fellow from their discipline (or a closely related discipline) to learn about specific strategies for teaching effectively within their departments.

New TAs then select from several concurrent workshops facilitated by TAFs and Center staff. In each session, participants reflect on their own teaching approach and practice techniques for: leading discussion sections, labs, problem-solving sections, or lectures.

Comments from Past Participants

Role playing put us in control, [we] learned the "hard" way that we will be dealing with all types [of students] ....[The TAFs gave us] a lot of chance[s] for us to give input--not just talking at us.
- New TA, Chemistry

I learned a lot about various grading strategies/criteria. It was very interesting to hear from people in different (but related) disciplines. I learned about lots of different teaching styles. How to anticipate and address problems in the classroom. [Our TAF gave] lots of practical application, [used] brainstorming sessions, [and gave] pointed and applicable feedback.
- New TA, Performance Studies

Contact Us

Contact Tom Popelka, (847) 491-3106, with any questions about the conference.

September 20, 2012

Ryan Auditorium, Technological Institute

Time Topic Details
8:30am Check-In* Pick up your conference folder in the Tech lobby. Coffee, tea & bagels will be provided.
9:00am
 Welcome Introduction to Searle Teaching Center
9:30am Discipline-Specific Session

Meet your TAF to discuss how to get the most out of TAing:

  • Grading Strategies
  • Managing Office Hours
  • Navigating Administration
  • Working with Faculty
  • Getting students involved via active learning
11:30am Lunch Lunch for conference participants in Tech lobby
12:30pm Concurrent Session #1

Choose from:

  • Getting Ready to Teach in the US Classroom for International TAs
  • Preparing for the 1st Day of Class
  • Technology in Your Teaching
  • Preparing an Effective Class Period
  • Preparing an Effective Lab Section
2:00pm Break -
2:15 Concurrent Session #2

Choose from:

  • Preparing for the 1st Day of Class
  • Technology in Your Teaching
  • Preparing an Effective Class Period
  • Preparing an Effective Lab Section
  • Promoting Critical Thinking (Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences)
  • Promoting Independent Problem Solving (Sciences, Engineering & Quantitative Disciplines)
3:45 End

Registration

Registration for the 2012 New TA Conference is now closed.

Questions about the New TA Conference or Workshops?

Email Tom Popelka for the contact information of the TA Fellow below for your department or contact the Searle Teaching Center at 847-491-3106

Department(s) TA Fellow(s)
African American Studies Assata Kokayi
Anthropology Matilda Stubbs
BMBCB; IBiS; IGP; NUIN Michael Tennekoon, Koshonna Brown*
Chemistry Monica So, Andrew Rasmussen, Felix Amankona-Diawuo
Communication Studies (all departments) Benjamin Chiles#
Comparative Literature Cheryl Berriman
Economics Esteban Petruzzello
Engineering (all departments) Yishan Chuang, Erica McCready, Megan Berry*
English Garrett Morrison, Jade Werner#
History; Art History Rebecca Marchiel
Language Instruction
 Diana Siwicka
Musicology
 Emily Hoyler
Philosophy Tyler Zimmer#
Physics & Astronomy; Earth & Planetary Sciences, Mathematics
 Jennifer Hobbs#
Political Science
 Rachel Ricci#, Desiree Weber#
Religious Studies Brian Clites#
Sociology; Psychology; Linguistics; Learning Sciences; Human Development & Social Policy Gemma Mangione, Stacy Lom
Theatre & Drama; Performance Studies Kati Sweaney#

*Returning TA Fellow
#2012-13 Graduate Teaching Fellow