New TA Conference

Structure

After a brief orientation, new TAs work with a teaching assistant fellow (TAF) 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, lectures, or problem-solving sections.

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

E-mail us or call 847-467-2338.

Online registration for New TA Conference is required. Registration information for the 2010 New TA Conference will be available in the summer of 2010.

Email the TA Fellow for your department or contact the Searle Teaching Center at 847-467-2338. If you do not see your department listed in the chart below, email teach@northwestern.edu.