The Effective Teaching Assistant Sixth Edition 2008 Sponsored by the Office of Graduate Studies The Effective Teaching Assistant at Drexel University Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 1 The Purpose of This Manual ........................................................................................................................................1 History of the Effective Teaching Assistant ................................................................................................................1 The Academic Structure of the University..................................................................................................................1 The Culture of Drexel University.................................................................................................................................4 General Advice ..............................................................................................................................................................4 A Word to International Teaching Assistants.............................................................................................................4 Section I: The Role of the Teaching Assistant ....................................................................................... 4 Overview ........................................................................................................................................................................4 Identifying Roles............................................................................................................................................................5 Professional Ethics ........................................................................................................................................................6 Section II: Learning and Teaching ........................................................................................................ 7 The Art and Science of Learning .....................................................................................................................7 Learning Principles .......................................................................................................................................................7 Learning Categories .....................................................................................................................................................7 Category .....................................................................................................................................................................7 Sample Performance Statements ................................................................................................................................7 Learning Styles ..............................................................................................................................................................9 Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education............................................................................9 Active Learning ...........................................................................................................................................................10 Collaborative or Cooperative Learning ....................................................................................................................10 The Learner-Centered Approach to Teaching .........................................................................................................10 Ways of Holding Class ................................................................................................................................................11 The Art and Science of Teaching ...................................................................................................................13 The First Class.............................................................................................................................................................13 Preparing for the First Class .....................................................................................................................................13 Meeting a Class for the First Time ...........................................................................................................................13 The First Few Minutes..............................................................................................................................................13 Presenting a Lecture ...................................................................................................................................................14 Preparation for the Class...........................................................................................................................................14 The Presentation .......................................................................................................................................................14 Lecturing Guidelines ................................................................................................................................................15 Building a Supportive Classroom Environment.......................................................................................................15 Diversity .......................................................................................................................................................................19 The Art of Asking Questions ......................................................................................................................................20 How to Ask Probing Questions ................................................................................................................................21 Motivating Students ....................................................................................................................................................22 Rewarding Contributions and Providing Feedback.................................................................................................23 Guidelines for the Effective Teacher .........................................................................................................................24 Characteristics of Effective and Ineffective Instructors............................................................................................24 Strategies of Effective Teachers .................................................................................................................................26 How to Minimize the Possibility of Things Going Wrong.......................................................................................26 Office Hours and Counseling Students.....................................................................................................................26 Time Management....................................................................................................................................................27 Making It Through the Term – Performing Multiple Tasks at the Same Time ........................................................28 Assessment........................................................................................................................................................29 Testing and other Forms of Evaluation.....................................................................................................................29 Basics of Test Preparation and Administration........................................................................................................29 Types of Tests ..............................................................................................................................................................30 Grading ........................................................................................................................................................................31 Important Information about Evaluations.................................................................................................................31 Grading Papers .........................................................................................................................................................31 Evaluation of Students' Oral Work...........................................................................................................................32 Oral Examinations....................................................................................................................................................32 Grading Participation in Discussion.........................................................................................................................33 Handout: Grading of Discussions ...............................................................................................................................34 Criteria for Your Discussion Grades.........................................................................................................................34 Academic Integrity and Academic Dishonesty.............................................................................................34 Technology In the Classroom.........................................................................................................................36