How can I effectively teach in a seminar room without being nervous?

[Moonbear]

I do have a pretty big problem though. I decided that if a student has a question, they have to come up and explain it clearly or as best they can. I'm hearing impaired, so I have no choice in this regard.

I'd suggest you explain your reason for that right up front, so they don't think you're just a big...you can fill in the word there. It'll be good to challenge them to stand up and speak clearly, something too many students don't do well at all, but it'll make it easier if they understand there's a reason that it's really important in your case.

 

[FrogPad]

I wish my TA for recitation this semester put in 0.0001% of the effort you seem like you are going to put in.

My TA hands out a quiz, tells us we can leave if we want, and then goes over the homework that is due. He's smart, but doesn't really seem like he gives two craps about the class. He also usually just holds the solution (that he did, or got from the solution manual) with him while he writes fragments of it on the board.

 

[tribdog]

I wish my TA for recitation this semester put in 0.0001% of the effort you seem like you are going to put in.

I was sort of thinking the same thing. I was thinking it sort of funny and cute to see how important he views the position. It's a common trait, I think, at his age and a good attitude to have, hopefully he can keep it everytme he has a job to do.

 

[Moonbear]

I agree, the quality of education is so much better when someone is teaching because they really want to do it and it's something they enjoy; that's not always the case with TAs, some are only doing it to earn a stipend to pay the bills.

 

[JasonRox]

bad idea. the solution or a similar problem's solution is there for a reason. I'm not a teacher, but I think that being able to check the solution is important, and there isn't a better way to learn something than using a similar problem to see how to come up with a solution

Well, I didn't mean like all my questions are to be like that.

I would say once I know the class got the hang of it. Probably a great way to blend to topics together. I've noticed that some textbooks lack questions that blend the previous chapter into the current chapter.

I probably won't do it because I will not have time. I have to go through the questions the professor wants me to do.

Note: I care because I want to be the good TA.

 

[scorpa]

I'm always pretty much just happy when I walk in and see my TA can speak english haha. Sounds like you are going to do great Jason, as long the class knows you care and are putting in effort they will respect you and it will go well.

 

[JasonRox]

I'm always pretty much just happy when I walk in and see my TA can speak english haha.

That's my main focus point.

 

[JasonRox]

I took over another TA's job. She lost the job because she couldn't speak english and everyone complained about her!

I talked to two of the students. They didn't even plan on showing up at the tutorial. I let them know that I was the TA and that they better be there this week. I'm sure they will be there too.

 

[JasonRox]

Ok, I have another issue to deal with.

I know I need to check up with the professor, but she's not around right now. I'll talk to her most likely tomorrow about the issue. It shouldn't be a problem though, but I'm asking because some of you were TA's and I am just curious about what your situation was.

My questions was...

Am I allowed to tutor?

I do know people in the class, and those that I know clearly understand that I can not help with the assignments. I asked the professor about that and it seems to be my only restriction thus far, which makes complete sense! Yet, I put a bigger restriction on this issue because most TA's practically give out the answers. I don't even tell them how to start where other TA's solve atleast all of it but the last line! So, I'm good in this respect.

I volunteered to tutor this one girl in my class. I haven't started tutoring her yet. I helped her a bit, but only in terms of the concepts and clarifying what the assignment is asking for. My response to questions relating to how to start a problem is basically read the section or basically I don't know. That's basically it.

Keep in mind that I said volunteer, so I get no compensation for this besides learning how to teach I guess. I figured getting compensation might lead to problems like money for answers, etc...

The only problem I can see is that other students might complain about it. They might think I'm doing her assignments or whatever. Who knows.

Anyways, let me know what you think.

Some of you have been TA's, so did you tutor for that class?

 

[tribdog]

I didn't TA, but my gut feeling is if you want to tutor someone tutor them. If other students complain tell them to shut up and quit being crybabies. I can't believe anyone would complain anyway, unless you are TAing a bunch of 1st graders.

 

[Bystander]

If you tutor one, you'd best be prepared to tutor any who ask for extra help. You'll be happier in the long run if you state a one-on-one time limit up front, and be damned sure the one-on-one time is taken from the "class time" you're TAing, or done in the grad student "cube farm."

 

[Cyrus]

Tutor and TA all the women, and tell the guys to get lost. I'd even go so far to say, give all the girls your cell and tell them to call you, whenever they feel like it. <slaps jason on the shoulder>

 

[JasonRox]

Tutor and TA all the women, and tell the guys to get lost. I'd even go so far to say, give all the girls your cell and tell them to call you, whenever they feel like it. <slaps jason on the shoulder>

I really like that idea.

I'd be glad to help any of them.

 

[mattmns]

Tutor and TA all the women, and tell the guys to get lost. I'd even go so far to say, give all the girls your cell and tell them to call you, whenever they feel like it. <slaps jason on the shoulder>

Awesome!

 

[Moonbear]

Ok, I have another issue to deal with.

I know I need to check up with the professor, but she's not around right now. I'll talk to her most likely tomorrow about the issue. It shouldn't be a problem though, but I'm asking because some of you were TA's and I am just curious about what your situation was.

My questions was...

Am I allowed to tutor?

I do know people in the class, and those that I know clearly understand that I can not help with the assignments. I asked the professor about that and it seems to be my only restriction thus far, which makes complete sense! Yet, I put a bigger restriction on this issue because most TA's practically give out the answers. I don't even tell them how to start where other TA's solve atleast all of it but the last line! So, I'm good in this respect.

I volunteered to tutor this one girl in my class. I haven't started tutoring her yet. I helped her a bit, but only in terms of the concepts and clarifying what the assignment is asking for. My response to questions relating to how to start a problem is basically read the section or basically I don't know. That's basically it.

Keep in mind that I said volunteer, so I get no compensation for this besides learning how to teach I guess. I figured getting compensation might lead to problems like money for answers, etc...

The only problem I can see is that other students might complain about it. They might think I'm doing her assignments or whatever. Who knows.

Anyways, let me know what you think.

Some of you have been TA's, so did you tutor for that class?

That doesn't sound like tutoring, but what you're supposed to do as a TA...help the students who need extra help during office hours. As someone else mentioned, though, make sure you're not favoring one student over the others. As long as any of them can come in during your office hours, or by appointment, then it's fine to offer extra help to those who request it.

 

[Cyrus]

That doesn't sound like tutoring, but what you're supposed to do as a TA...help the students who need extra help during office hours. As someone else mentioned, though, make sure you're not favoring one student over the others. As long as any of them can come in during your office hours, or by appointment, then it's fine to offer extra help to those who request it.

Unless she's cute.

 

[Yonoz]

I have a friend who's an expert on getting TAs to help her during exams, be it by showing off a bit of cleavage or harrassing them until they tell her what she wants.
I hope you don't encourage this sort of behaviour!

 

[Yonoz]

Here's a good tip: don't get high before lectures. Check this out: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/28744492/video_apparentlybake.html" , especially the mentioned minute 28.

 

[JasonRox]

That doesn't sound like tutoring, but what you're supposed to do as a TA...help the students who need extra help during office hours. As someone else mentioned, though, make sure you're not favoring one student over the others. As long as any of them can come in during your office hours, or by appointment, then it's fine to offer extra help to those who request it.

There is no office hours as far as I know.

 

[Severian]

I was going to warn him to check his zipper, teeth and nostrils. and make sure they are up, clean and empty.

I have seen someone give a presentation as part of a job interview with his fly down and his shirt hanging out of it (making it really obvious). He didn't get the job...

 

[Cyrus]

Here's a good tip: don't get high before lectures. Check this out: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/28744492/video_apparentlybake.html" , especially the mentioned minute 28.

That guy is WASTED!

 

[Yonoz]

That guy is WASTED!

They must have some good sh*t in Florida.

 

[JasonRox]

I didn't have time to talk to the professor today. I saw her though.

Anyways, I'm not favouring students over others. I'm basically willing to help anyone, but for this particular student, I'm tutoring. As far as I know, she never tried to score points or anything of the sort.

Well, I'll be sure to talk to the professor tomorrow.

 

[shmoe]

It's a bad idea. You will have to be ready to devote the same amount of time to the rest of the class on a private one on one basis or you are favouring her. Not telling the other students that you are willing to do this so they don't ask for private tutoring won't fly when people find out about it later on. Be prepared to spend the rest of your free time tutoring students.

There's also the issue of your union. I'm not sure I remember what university you are at, but I believe it has a union for TA's and sessional instructors? They can get pissy if they find out you are devoting lots of extra time and not getting paid for it. (Right out of the question is getting a student in a course you are TAing to pay you for private tutoring, this is abusing your position and probably explicitly prohibited by your department).

This may make me sound like an uncarring bugger, but really I'm not. I never really worried about whether the time I spent in a course equalled the time I was getting paid for. Sometimes no one would show up for math aid centre and i'd get paid to do my own work for an hour. sometimes it would be very busy and I'd stay an hour extra without getting paid. It may have balanced out in the end, but it's more likely I've ended up giving time. But starting to give extra tutoring hours to individual students (or even small groups) is setting yourself up for a host of problems.

 

[JasonRox]

It's a bad idea. You will have to be ready to devote the same amount of time to the rest of the class on a private one on one basis or you are favouring her. Not telling the other students that you are willing to do this so they don't ask for private tutoring won't fly when people find out about it later on. Be prepared to spend the rest of your free time tutoring students.

There's also the issue of your union. I'm not sure I remember what university you are at, but I believe it has a union for TA's and sessional instructors? They can get pissy if they find out you are devoting lots of extra time and not getting paid for it. (Right out of the question is getting a student in a course you are TAing to pay you for private tutoring, this is abusing your position and probably explicitly prohibited by your department).

This may make me sound like an uncarring bugger, but really I'm not. I never really worried about whether the time I spent in a course equalled the time I was getting paid for. Sometimes no one would show up for math aid centre and i'd get paid to do my own work for an hour. sometimes it would be very busy and I'd stay an hour extra without getting paid. It may have balanced out in the end, but it's more likely I've ended up giving time. But starting to give extra tutoring hours to individual students (or even small groups) is setting yourself up for a host of problems.

Exactly what I was looking for. I know about the risks though. I just wanted someone who has been a TA to give me some opinions based on experience.

I'll probably end up opting out though.

That's just the way the world turns.

 

[Moonbear]

Yeah, if it's personal tutoring, and not something you'd offer to all the students, then it'll be considered favoritism.

If you know someone else who's a good tutor in the subject who is not a TA, you can recommend that person to this student. I also wouldn't see a problem with you deciding to hold office hours, even if they're not required (bah to the union if they have a problem with it...they're clueless about how many hours people really put into teaching anyway...they only counted the time I was physically in the classroom when I was forced to be part of one as a TA), but it would have to be something you offered to everyone in the class.

 

[JasonRox]

Yeah, if it's personal tutoring, and not something you'd offer to all the students, then it'll be considered favoritism.

If you know someone else who's a good tutor in the subject who is not a TA, you can recommend that person to this student. I also wouldn't see a problem with you deciding to hold office hours, even if they're not required (bah to the union if they have a problem with it...they're clueless about how many hours people really put into teaching anyway...they only counted the time I was physically in the classroom when I was forced to be part of one as a TA), but it would have to be something you offered to everyone in the class.

I'm getting paid like 7-10 hours a week, for only 1 hour of class time. That's pretty sweet.

I prefer to tutor. You can really get the subject across.

Anyways, she'll understand.

 

[shmoe]

...I also wouldn't see a problem with you deciding to hold office hours, even if they're not required (bah to the union if they have a problem with it...they're clueless about how many hours people really put into teaching anyway...they only counted the time I was physically in the classroom when I was forced to be part of one as a TA), but it would have to be something you offered to everyone in the class.

They will find out about it, your students tell students in other tutorials, those students tell their TA's ("why can't you do...blah..for is?"), those TAs tell other TAs, it gets to the union rep in your depatment, etc. Doing something that out of the ordinary will get around, it's not like spending an extra 10 minutes after class to answer some questions. It depends on how militant the union is on what happens next. I know I've had TA orientations where we were explicitly told by the course instructors to not have office hours because they didn't want to deal with the union when they found out (my union was such that they would make it the course instructors problem).

It depends on many factors, Jason should still talk to his prof. about it of course and see what she thinks.

 

[shmoe]

I'm getting paid like 7-10 hours a week, for only 1 hour of class time. That's pretty sweet.

That seems like a lot! What's the rest of the hours for? Some prep time presumably, invigilating exams, the rest marking?

typical courses I've done have been ~6 hours per week for a course that had 2 hours of tutorials + 1 hour of prep time (the tutorials would be the same material, 2 sets of students 1 hour per week) and 3 hours for marking/invigilating that was spread out over the year, i.e. all rammed into the mid term and final periods.

 

[JasonRox]

That seems like a lot! What's the rest of the hours for? Some prep time presumably, invigilating exams, the rest marking?

typical courses I've done have been ~6 hours per week for a course that had 2 hours of tutorials + 1 hour of prep time (the tutorials would be the same material, 2 sets of students 1 hour per week) and 3 hours for marking/invigilating that was spread out over the year, i.e. all rammed into the mid term and final periods.

Yeah, I got one tutorial hour. I have 3 assignments to correct for the year and a midterm. I'll probably be doing some of the final exams, but I get paid extra for that. Probably like $100 bonus or something.

I guess the hours are for prep time and such. I do read the chapters and do all the problems myself. I find it important to know where to look for answers, especially if a student is curious to know how to do something or whatever. I know the textbook pretty well, so well that I know where to find specific theorems and problems! :shy:

My first class went great. I got compliments from students saying they really like me, so that's really good news.

As for the tutoring thing, I talked to the TA coordinator (faculty member) and she said I'm allowed to tutor people. She said there has been no problems in the past, and the choice is up to me. So, I'm up for it.

A student did find out, but I'm not sure if she cares though. She might actually just be jealous.

Note: For the salary/hours, I get paid $15.70/hour somewhere around there. Apparently it is the lowest in Ontario or it used to be anyways. There is a CBA in January, so maybe that's a raise coming. I'm loving it. Next year, I'll TA two courses, and then I won't have to work outside of class, which is sweet.