The Center for Teaching and Learning supports the professional development of graduate teaching assistants through a variety of programs and services described below.Workshops and Events:Department-based GTA Program DevelopmentIn cooperation with the Office of the Provost, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Graduate School, the Center assists departments in developing GTA training programs that prepare graduate students for their instructional responsibilities at the University and for their future careers as university professors and professionals. Fall and Spring GTA OrientationThe Center coordinates a a half-day orientation to teaching for new GTAs in August and in January.A Network of Departmental Faculty TA Coordinators and GTA LiaisonThe Center maintains a network of departmental faculty TA Coordinators and GTA Liaisons to facilitate communication on issues related to graduate teaching assistants. Each year the Center holds a reception for faculty TA coordinators and GTA liaisons and a planning retreat for GTA liaisons. The Network functions as a leadership and planning group for GTA issues at the University.The Graduate Teaching Consultants ProgramThe Center employs six experienced graduate teaching assistants part-time as graduate teaching consultants. Selected by a competitive, departmental nomination process, the consultants undergo a comprehensive, week-long pre-service training in teaching evaluation and consultation techniques. Throughout the academic year, they work with less experienced GTAs in a variety of ways: conducting generic workshops on teaching, leading microteaching sessions, critiquing videotapes of GTAs teaching, facilitating support sessions for new GTAs and informal discussion sessions on teaching issues.Minigrants for Departmental GTA ProgramsThrough a competitive selection process, the Center offers minigrants of up to $750 per department to support various aspects of departmental GTA training programs: support of regular seminars on teaching, materials to support instruction by GTAs, training materials, file cabinets or office furniture for GTA offices, video cameras for use in the evaluation of GTA instruction, for example. Call CTL (966-1289) to find out if funds are available and to obtain minigrant guidelines.Consultations on TeachingCTL consultants are available to meet with individual TAs and discuss any teaching-related issue, idea or problem. For example, discussions can be focused on a review of teaching evaluations, plans for a writing or project assignment, ideas for using a new teaching strategy, improving classroom dynamics, or problem solving.Workshops and SeminarsThe Center holds workshops throughout the year on teaching-related topics such as "Using the Case Study Method" and "Leading Discussion and Lab Sections." Departments or groups of TAs can also request a workshop on a specific topic."EDUC 257: College Teaching"Each spring term of the regular academic year Ed Neal, Ph.D., teaches a course on college teaching through the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the School of Education. Designed for graduate students who will teach at UNC, the seminar allows participants to plan all aspects of a course of their choosing including course goals and objectives, evaluation methods, teaching strategies, grading policies, syllabus, and selected daily lesson plans.Teaching PortfoliosThe Center provides consultations and small group workshops on planning and assembling documentation for teaching portfolios as a vehicle for teaching improvement and job searches.Please contact Donna Bailey for further information. |
