Teaching Assistant WorkshopMechanical EngineeringFall 2013

Outline

Overview of TA expectations Demo.. Class room scheduling, moodle site features TA presentations on key topics

Handouts: To do list, FERPA summary guide, Topics to discuss with course instructor

Overview of TA ExpectationsTA appointment dates: Augsut 26 through

January 8, 2014Last final date: xxxFinal grades due: xxx25% appt = 10 hrs/week 196 hours

gradingteaching labs/recitationsProctoring examscopiesoffice hourspreparing homework solutionscreating and maintaining course website

Possible tasks

12 hrs/week

How to Get Great TA Evaluations What are the evaluation criteria?

Read your evaluations (see Jeanne Sitzmann)

Student Comments

Had very helpful discussion sessions and provided examplesVery well prepared both in examples and to answer questionsVery approachableHomework solutions were clearGot better at teaching as the semester progressed

Late (for office hours) which was very aggravatingLate for LabI suggest TA’s work problems ahead of time so that they know the concepts betterDuring recitation, worked through example problems from the book… pointless to stay for recitation because I could just read itDid not seem like s(he) understood the material nor appreciated the subjectGot flustered or confused in a problem easily and was not confident in workMessy writing on boardDidn’t have anything prepared (for recitation)

Positive

Negative

Comments From the StudentsCommunication Skills

Speak loudlyTalk to class not the boardToo slowToo fastDon’t read from the book, solution manualConfident

Knowledge of Material

Work through problems before office hours, recitationSet up lab before students arrive

PromptnessRespond to emails On time for office hours/labs/recitations

Offices, Keys, and Copies

TA resource room in Shepherd Labs 452: work space, computers, a printer and lockers. Access this room with your U-card.

Offices

Keys

Access to the building and the TA resource room is with your U-card

Copies

Please use the copier on the 1st floor, ME 116 (opposite ME 125), access after hours with your U-card

Books, solution manuals

Request from course instructor

Office Hours

If expecting less than 8 students: contact Jennifer Dahal (jdahal@me.umn.edu)

Otherwise, work through room scheduling (https://astra-prd.oit.umn.edu/AstraProd/calendars/default.aspx)

• Locate a room, be sure to check all weeks of the semester, check both the departmental and the general classroom schedule (check ME 321 or ME 460)

Please hold office hours in a location separate from your “shared” office space

Request a room for office hours

What is FERPA?

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.

http://onestop.umn.edu/faculty/grades/records_policies.html

FERPA: Educational RecordsThis means the education record includes, but is not limited to: grades, transcripts, WebCT /Moodle information, advising information, financial aid information, student information in UM Reports and the Data Warehouse, and student photos. If you have student information in your possession, you have a legal responsibility to protect it. 

Public Vs Private Information

NameAddressEmail addressGradesCourse takenMajorAdvisorScheduleStudent ID numberTest ScoresTelephone numberAcademic Awards and HonorsEnrollment Status (full time/part time)

Public Vs Private Information

NameAddressElectronic (E-mail) addressTelephone numberDates of enrollmentEnrollment status (full/part time, not enrolled)MajorAdviserCollegeClassAcademic awards and honorsDegree received

GradesCourses takenScheduleTest scoresAdvising recordsEducational services receivedDisciplinary actionsSocial Security NumberStudent ID Number

Public Private

Student Record Privacy in ME Classes Emails: Use bcc Grades:

Record grades on a secure site Do not save grades to a laptop (must be

encripted) or flashdrive Delete grades after 1 year

Returning Hw, Exams, Labs: Return in an envelope, or other to the individual Do not leave unattended (outside office door, etc)

More details in the FERPA handout

To Do List Request a room for office hours

If expecting less than 8 students: contact Jennifer Dahal (jdahal@me.umn.edu)

Otherwise, work through room scheduling to locate a class room: https://astra-prd.oit.umn.edu/AstraProd/calendars/default.aspx;

Have Instructor Request a moodle (http://www1.umn.edu/moodle/) site

Complete required University course: https://moodle2.umn.edu/course/view.php?id=8265&topic=1 Email web@me.umn.edu with a 1 page pdf of your course syllabus for

our ME website http://www.me.umn.edu/courses/index.shtml Develop a secure method to record grades and return homework Former TA’s must see Jeanne Sitzmann (in 1120) to read past TA

evaluations Review Checklist for discussion with supervisor