2015 Teaching Assistant Orientation (TAO)
Date and time
Location
Dale Hall, Room 211
433 W Lindsey St Norman, OK 73019Description
Teaching Assistant Orientation (TAO)
Prior to the beginning of each fall semester, the Center for Teaching Excellence offers the Teaching Assistant Orientation: Preparing to TA at OU. The orientation is designed to help graduate student teaching assistants and instructors of record learn more about how to be successful in their first encounters in the University of Oklahoma classroom. The TA orientation is mandated for all teaching assistants who are new to teaching at the university by the Provost and the Dean’s Council.
Session topics include:
- Approaching Your First Day of Class and Setting the Tone for the Semester
- Leading Effective Discussions
- Succeeding as a TA in Lab and Tutorial Settings
- What I Wish I Would Have Known My First Semester as a TA (Experienced TA Panel)
- Strategies for Assessing Student Learning
- Grading Written Exams and Papers
- Grading Problem Sets and Homework
- Making the Most out of Your Office Hours
The Center for Teaching Excellence TA Orientation is an ideal opportunity to gain teaching skills, make connections with other teaching assistants, and identify resources to assist you in your teaching responsibilities.
What can I expect from TA Orientation?
Orientation attendees can expect an overview of best teaching practices, policies and resources that TAs need to know, practical skills for being a graduate teaching assistant, and advice from experienced teaching assistants. Orientation sessions are led by experienced faculty representing a variety of academic disciplines.
How Can I Learn More About the Orientation Agenda?
2014 TA Orientation Agenda (PDF)
Who Should Attend TA Orientation?
All graduate students in their first year as teaching assistants must attend. Graduate teaching assistants in their 2nd year of responsibilities are invited to attend, as well as any returning/experienced graduate teaching assistants, and any post-docs. Please review the Graduate Assistant Handbook and Graduate Student Handbook for any questions and clarifications.