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THE ROLE OF TEACHING ASSISTANTS
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA
The process of learning and research leading to specialization in one's chosen discipline are the two core functions of a post-graduate education. An additional component, however, has been assuming increasing prominence over the years: assistance with the teaching of undergraduates has become part of the graduate students' total educational experience.
Within the university structure graduate Teaching Assistants function somewhat like apprentices. They learn the skills of their trade by leading laboratory or studio sessions, by planning and teaching courses and tutorials, by evaluating, correcting and grading papers, leading field trips and even counselling.
Upon graduating most TAs will apply the skills acquired as apprentices to their professional careers. The long-term benefits of their experiences, therefore, may well be evidenced throughout their careers. The short-term benefits consist of the opportunity of employment and the resultant remuneration earned by the TAs for their services.
In the current climate of increasing enrolments, increased demands on existing resources, and government requests that "more be done with less" the employment of TAs by the university benefits the institution by providing the necessary human resources to cover a broad spectrum of undergraduate academic activities.
The teaching assistantship experience has become an essential component of university life. It is important, therefore, that the university assume a function in training the TAs to develop the skills necessary for a successful job performance. This Resource Manual has been designed to help TAs understand the nature of their employment, their professional responsibilities, and the university as a workplace. It offers information on every aspect of the teaching process, from the TAs' first meeting with their class, to the preparation of class material, dealing with disciplinary problems, and time management. The Manual is a detailed "how-to" instruction book, and it is hoped that it will be of value to the student.
In addition to the detailed information provided the Teaching Assistant
by the Resource Manual, the Dean of Graduate Studies in conjunction with
the Learning and Teaching Centre and the Graduate Students' Society has
developed a Teaching Assistants' Training day at the beginning of the fall
term.
Dean of Graduate Studies
Being a Teaching Assistant adds unique challenges and responsibilities to your career as a graduate student. As a TA you will have the opportunity to share your reserach and gain valuable teaching experience. You will also be forced to juggle the reality of being both a student and an empolyee of the university. Navigating between your life as a student and your job as a TA will be as challenging and rewarding as the stacks of exams and the inspiring lectures that await you.
This manual lays out some of the more tangible rights and responsibilities your new job entails. For those of you returning to teaching much of what follows will be old hat but it always pays to revisit some of the advice in this manual based on your classroom experience. It is, of course, also helpful to review the terms of your appointment based on your own experience.
This resource manual is a joint venture between the GSS, the Learning and Teaching Centre and the Faculty of Graduate Studies. In addition to helpful hints we have also endeavoured to offer a preliminary grounding in pedagogy and typical teaching dilemmas to those of you who are teaching for the first time. As a resource guide, this manual is also in lieu of a collective bargaining agreement or binding contract with the university. Grievance and harassment procedures are clearly layed out. At the front of the booklet there is a checklist of assigned duties clearly establishing what your duties and responsibilites are. A TA assignment is not a scholarship and it is absolutely autonomous from your academic requirements and evaluation. In cases where you feethat you have been treated unfairly or your academic standing has been compromised by a dispute arising from your employmnet as a TA, consult the Graduate Representative from your department or the GSS executive. We are here to protect your interests and to help you navigate the bureaucracy of the university when you feel you have been wronged.
This manual is a first step in the exciting process of making the transition to the other side of the podium. Good luck and happy teaching!
Graduate Students' Society
The term TA used throughout this manual is the abbreviation for teaching assistants. TAs at the University of Victoria are represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 4163, and are employed as Specialist Instructional (SI) Academic Assistants, Laboratory Instructors, Scientific and Research Assistants (and other classifications), which are commonly referred to as TAs.
As members of a Union, TAs are covered by a collective agreement, which defines their terms and conditions of employment. Each employee will receive a copy of the contract. If you have questions about your rights or obligations under the contract, please ask your supervisor or your Union representative at 472-2778 or contact Human Resources at 721-8085.
TA roles and responsibilities differ between departmentssome TAs having only marking duties while others are expected to lead seminars or lab sections, mark assignments, grade participation, evaluate and correct essays or exams. You may also be expected to meet with students during office hours. Many TAs are informal advisors, counsellors or role models for new students.
A checklist on the next page lists potential TA activities. It presents a model for the discussion of duties as outlined in the Terms of Employment and also outlines the work schedule for the term of employment. When you are appointed, meet with your position supervisor and clarify your role and responsibilities using this checklist as a guide.
This Resource Manual is designed to help first-time teaching assistants prepare for the teaching role and develop teaching skills and strategies.