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Teaching Assistant (TA) Training

While graduate departments and programs provide primary training, assessment and support for gradaute teaching assistants (TAs), The Graduate School collaborates closely with Duke Learning Innovation and other units across campus to offer additional workshops, consulting and support for TA training across the university.  

Spring 2022 Workshops

Coursework on College Teaching for TAs

GS 750 Fundamentals of College Teaching
The Graduate School's Certificate in College Teaching offers a range of semester-long, credit-bearing courses on pedagogy, technology, diversity, course design and other topics for graduate students with instructional roles or aspirations. One course that may be of particular interest for TAs is GS750 Fundamentals of College Teaching. In this course, graduate students (mainly earlier-year Ph.D. students) will learn how to:

  • clarify TA or instructional responsibilities with faculty mentors;
  • promote active learning in the classroom or lab, lead effective discussions, and design learning activities;
  • use instructional technology; and
  • develop and apply grading criteria appropriately.

Two sections of this course are offered every fall and spring. It meets for an hour and fifteen minutes each week during the term, and students can expect about two hours of work outside of class each week which should directly support and facilitate their TA responsibilities. Enrollment is open to all graduate students and prioritized for students in the CCT program. Permission numbers are available by request (link available on this page during course enrollment periods.) 

Duke TA Training via Coursera 

https://bit.ly/TADuke
This Coursera course, developed by the Office of the Provost and Duke Learning Innovation, consists of five online modules that address legal and ethical issues for Duke students with instructional roles:

  • FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act 
  • DukeReach: Supporting Students in Distress 
  • Title IX Sexual Misconduct: Reporting is Supporting 
  • Student Disability Access Office: A One-Stop Shop for Accessibility Needs
  • Promoting Academic Integrity: The Duke Community Standard in Action
     

Teaching & Technology Workshops and Consulting 

Departments, programs, centers, student group and or others who would like to explore additional teaching and instructional technology workshops for graduate students and teaching assistants are welcome to contact:

Hugh Crumley, PhD
Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs
Director, Certificate in College Teaching
The Graduate School
crumley@duke.edu 

Sophia Stone, EdD
Senior Consultant
Duke Learning Innovation
sophia.stone@duke.edu 

Support for International Students

EIS
The English for International Students (EIS) program offers semester-long courses on oral communication, academic presentations, and pronunciation that are open to students seeking additional English-language support.  Detailed course descriptions are available at https://gradschool.duke.edu/academics/english-international-students/eis.... For more information, contact: 

Brad L. Teague, PhD
EIS Assistant Dean and Director
brad.teague@duke.edu

I-House
Duke International House offers a variety of trainings and workshops on developing intercultural awareness with topics varying from cross-cultural communication to name pronunciations. With these interactive sessions, we aim to explore ways to respond effectively in (un)familiar circumstances; facilitate authentic conversations and connections; and share tips and suggestions for a continuous learning experience. To learn more about I-House trainings, request a training, or sign up for one, please visit or contact:
 
Esra Uzun Mason
Associate Director, International House
esra.mason@duke.edu
https://studentaffairs.duke.edu/ihouse/trainings-and-workshops

Previous TA Workshops

  • Tuesday, February 9, 2021
    1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

    Online TA Skills: Getting Started with Sakai

    Learn how to create and manage a Sakai course site. Demonstration of commonly used Sakai teaching tools, site navigation, key features of the gradebook and TA grading permissions, and an introduction to Sakai templates.

  • Thursday, February 18, 2021
    1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

    Online TA Skills: What I Wish I Had Known about Being a TA (at Duke)

    This panel of expert TA graduate students will discuss their past experiences of managing (in-person and virtual) classrooms/labs, office hours, grading, department-specific training, inclusivity, and active student engagement.

  • Thursday, April 8, 2021
    11:00 am to 12:30 pm

    Cross-cultural Communication (IHouse)

    The cross-cultural communication training focuses on developing an awareness and understanding of culture and its relation to communication with individuals from different backgrounds.

  • Thursday, April 15, 2021
    11:00 am to 12:30 pm

    Name Pronunciation (IHouse)

    With this training, we aim to learn about the importance of correct name pronunciation and its impact on effective communication with people from different cultural, ethnic, and national backgrounds

  • Tuesday, August 31, 2021
    3:00 pm to 4:00 pm

    TA Training: Sakai Overview: Teaching Tools, Assignments and Gradebook

    Learn how to manage a Sakai course site. Demonstration of commonly used Sakai teaching tools, resources tool, site navigation, key features of assignments and the gradebook, and using Sakai forums. This workshop is part of the Teaching Assistant (TA) Training Series cosponsored with Duke Learning Innovation and is open to all with an interest in using Sakai in your instructional role.

  • Thursday, September 16, 2021
    3:00 pm to 4:00 pm

    TA Training: Effective Use of Video in Teaching and Learning

    Learn how to effectively use video in your instructional role. We’ll explore options for creating video with a focus on Panopto. This includes providing feedback to students and creating knowledge checks (assessments) to facilitate learning. We'll also share best practices for recording video.

  • Thursday, September 23, 2021
    3:00 pm to 4:00 pm

    TA Training: Engaging Learners: Inclusive Online Discussions

    Learn effective skills to facilitate, engage and manage inclusive online discussions using Sakai Forums, Zoom, and VoiceThread. Hear from a panel of graduate students as they share their experiences as teaching assistants and current Bass Digital Education Fellows.

  • Thursday, October 14, 2021
    3:00 pm to 4:00 pm

    TA Training: What I Wish I Had Known About Being a TA (POSTPONED)

    Join us for a panel discussion, co-organized with Duke Libraries, with experienced graduate students who have TA’d and/or have been Instructors of Record from an array of disciplines. The panel discussion will include past experiences of managing in-person classrooms, office hours, grading, department-specific training, inclusivity, and active student engagement.