Research Guides: Graduate TA Handbook and Resources: Teaching Approaches

Teaching Approaches and Practices

Now that your first day is complete, what's next? It's important to continually improve your pedagogical techniques throughout the semester so both you and your students can count the class experience a success. Your teaching assistantship is especially important if you plan to continue in a doctoral program or pursue a career in academia. Even if you don't, communicating ideas to your audience is a skill that will benefit you wherever you go!

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

General Advice on Teaching Approaches for TAs

Advice for TAs in Lab Sciences

Tips for Teaching Assistants in Lab Settings from Univ. of Ottawa (.pdf)
"Guide from the Side" - how to effectively guide students toward learning as a lab TA; includes a checklist of tactics to use. (.pdf)

Public Speaking

Class Discussion

How to lead a class discussion
Getting students to talk to you and each other
How to Hold Better Class Discussions, advice guide and resources

Difficult Conversations in the Classroom

How to tackle disinformation in the classroom
Respectful discussions following the major elections and beyond (.pdf)
Facilitating challenging conversations, advice from W&M's Center for the Liberal Arts.

Graduate TA Handbook and Resources