Event Description
This event will introduce participants to the role of teaching assistant at the University of Iowa and prepare them for the first week of classes and beyond.
Participants will discuss evidence-based teaching strategies for lesson planning, inclusive teaching, and more with Center for Teaching staff. Participants will also choose two workshops of interest to them out of several options; these will be facilitated synchronously by experienced TAs.
The conversation about teaching will begin with asynchronous modules on ICON in August. You will retain access to this page for the entire academic year. We encourage teaching assistants to participate actively in the community we will create there.
Attendees will:
- Understand resources for teaching support at the University of Iowa.
- Learn simple strategies for getting started in the classroom.
- Discuss common teaching concerns with experienced TAs.
- Connect with instructors from different departments.
Graduate student-facilitated sessions:
Everyone who registers (including those unable to attend) will gain access to the New TA Orientation ICON site, which is filled with useful information and links for new TAs. Materials used during the orientation will be made available on the ICON site following the event.
REGISTER by AUG. 21
Registration is now open for the Center for Teaching's fall 2024 New TA Orientation.
Unable to attend? Register anyway to gain access to the New TA Orientation ICON site, which is filled with useful information and links for new TAs.
Who Can Attend New TA Orientation?
This event is geared toward any TA interested in developing practical teaching skills and increasing their knowledge of pedagogy. New TA Orientation is especially beneficial to anyone who will be a TA at the UI for the first time during the 2024–2025 academic year. In addition, we encourage all TAs to attend other upcoming pedagogy workshops and technology training sessions.
Outcomes and Assessment
New TA Orientation has a significant impact on the campus experience of hundreds of incoming graduate students each year.
Increased confidence in teaching
Increased confidence in teaching
Graduate students who attend the entire event report feeling more prepared for their first days of class:
Concrete teaching ideas
Concrete teaching ideas
The grid below shows just a sample of how participants in last year’s orientation planned to use what they had learned during the event:
Cross-departmental collaboration
Cross-departmental collaboration
Participants get to speak with colleagues from across the university in two small topical sessions of their choice.
