Although writing-across-the-curriculum (WAC) programs have been commonplace since the 1970s, the focus has largely been on the level of assessment and programmatic development and less on the instructors, particularly graduate teaching assistants (TAs), who adopt these practices. In this article, we describe a pilot WAC graduate-level course in…

We describe the implementation of a graduate teaching assistant (GTA) training program in the Department of Chemistry designed to integrate with the professional development initiatives of the Graduate School at a large, public, research-intensive university. The program is a 1-year course of study that offers graduate students a chance to…

Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA) are often the first college instructors that new students meet when they arrive for their first day of class, and as instructors and as students, GTAs are the future of the discipline. As such, GTAs need to receive comprehensive training in a variety of pedagogical, procedural, and professional areas to help…

This article is a description of a graduate pedagogy course on using film in language courses at the university level; the principles and methods taught are adaptable to any level and any second (L2) or foreign language course. The focus is the methodology, or topics and themes covered by the course, and results of the implemented method: student…

This study explores how teaching development programs may facilitate the development of intercultural competence in graduate students and prepare them for communicating effectively in the global workplace after graduation. First, we describe the concept of intercultural teaching competence and examine the skills that graduate students may need to…

Inspired by an incident in a social work graduate classroom in which she was a teaching assistant, the author reflects on her commitment to constructivist teaching methods, critical theory, and critical pedagogy. Exploring the educational utility of notions such as public space and safe space, the author employs this personal experience to examine…

The aim of this study was to define the role of the assistant in a classroom environment where students are taught using video conference-based synchronous distance education. Qualitative research approach was adopted and, among purposeful sampling methods, criterion sampling method was preferred in the scope of the study. The study was carried…

Provides advice for graduate teaching assistants on how to organize the first meeting of a class and what to include so that they will be regarded as "real" teachers. Also provides a sample outline for a first class period. (SLD)

Graduate teaching assistants are too often given only "survival training" to prepare them to teach freshman composition. For the following reasons, the focus of teacher preparation in this area should be on rhetorical theory: (1) the study of theory informs the practice of teaching, (2) the study of theory is likely to give the beginner…

A recounting of how the author's graduate training failed with everything he considered important. (JH)

This document summarizes a presentation and student responses from a workshop for graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) attended by 84 GTAs. The focus of the presentation and discussions was on the first day of class, setting goals for the course and introducing the subjects and the instructor. Participants entered their comments into an Alpha Smart…

This article describes a graduate level seminar course which offers one possible preparation for the sociologist's teaching role. Discussed are the students' field experiences, and reading assignments and classroom discussions held on the theoretical and substantive issues in and functions of sociology, teaching techniques and techniques for…

Graduate students are often assigned teaching responsibilities as part of an assistantship, but most have had very little or no formal teaching experience. This digest summarizes some of the literature and resources available to support graduate assistants in their teaching roles. Sections include: (1) "Attention to How Students Learn";…

Advocates broadening of professional development options for graduate students to take into account the disciplinary expertise and teaching practice needed for courses beyond the beginning and intermediate language sequence. Concludes that readings, workshops, and discussions with faculty allow graduate students to gain experience with the range…