TA orientation

Each fall the Center, in conjunction with the three schools, organizes a TA Orientation. This orientation introduces new and returning TA to the teaching culture at UC Merced. General questions such as “What is college teaching?” and "Who are UC Merced students?" will be addressed. In addition, the orientation will cover important pedagogical principles, classroom dynamics, course planning, and other teaching strategies. On-going support services for TAs are available at the Center throughout the year.

• Fall 2013 TA Orientation

    Registration link

• Fall 2012 TA Orientation
• Fall 2011 TA Orientation
• Fall 2010 TA Orientation
• Fall 2009 TA Orientation
• Fall 2008 TA Orientation

Teaching Matters Workshops on effective teaching

Throughout the academic year, the Center will offer various workshops focused on the scholarship of teaching, including topics like active learning, working with ESL students, using scoring rubrics, and others. Please check the Workshop Calendar for more details about upcoming workshops.

Student Assessment of Teaching And Learning (SATAL)

TAs interested in gaining a better sense of their students' learning experience in their classes can request trained students to gather data on classroom activities. Click here for more information about the program.

Teaching Consultations

Personalized teaching consultations are available to individual TA who would like help in the following areas:

• Clarifying learning objectives and outcomes
• Creating/updating teaching portfolios
• Using active learning techniques in the classroom
• Videotaping a class session
• Managing classroom crises
• Developing tools for assessment and evaluation
• Other issues related to classroom teaching.

These consultations are designed to give new and experienced TAs feedback on their teaching, and to provide an opportunity to discuss teaching strategies in relation to classroom teaching goals.  TAs who are teaching in a new format or setting, or are unaccustomed to the American classroom, or are simply interested in improving their teaching are also encouraged to use this resource to consider different techniques in light of their pedagogical goals. Any TA who is teaching a course or planning to teach a course may choose to consult the Center on issues related to classroom teaching. For an appointment, please contact us at crte@ucmerced.edu or call 209-228-7950.

TA Related Resources

• Tomorrow's Professor (sponsored by Stanford Center for Teaching and Learning) provides postings twice weekly regarding issues related to the academy, graduate students, post-docs, academic careers, teaching and learning, and research. You can subscribe to its mailing list, which will automatically send you these postings via email. http://ctl.stanford.edu/Tomprof/index.shtml

• UC Berkeley's Teaching and Resource Center for Graduate Student Instructor - A comprehensive one-stop shop for all things related to graduate teaching assistants, including an extensive teaching guide covering various teaching-related topics. http://gsi.berkeley.edu/
• Preparing Future Faculty - National network on programs for the preparation for the full range of faculty roles subsumed by the terms teaching, research, and service. http://www.preparing-faculty.org/
• Association for Support of Graduate Students - A service organization of graduate students, graduate-student organizations (GSOs), and graduate-degree-granting institutions. Of particular interest: Thesis News, Doc-Talk. http://www.asgs.org/

• Gradshare - A online communicate that offers guidance on the full breadth of the graduate experience, such as dissertation topic selection, grants, financial aid, and work-life balance.  Students can find and share advice on research, writing, publishing, job search, and other topics that help them become more effective in their work. http://www.gradshare.com/landing.html
• Graduate Student Resources - Getting in, getting through, and getting out of graduate school. http://www-personal.umich.edu/%7Edanhorn/graduate.html

• Jobs in Higher Education - Academic360.com - Internet resources for the academic job hunter. http://www.academic360.com/

• The Chronicle of Higher Education Career Network - Advice columns, news, and job listings in higher education. http://chronicle.com/section/Jobs/61/

• Academic Careers Online - Global academic job site to advertise job openings, find jobs or post resumes in higher education and academia. Includes full and
  part-time teaching, post doc and administrative jobs at colleges and universities around the world. http://www.AcademicCareers.com