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…

Based on our long-standing Intensive Training Program for Effective Teaching Assistants in Chemistry, we have developed an Advanced Training Course for Teachers and Researchers in Chemistry at The University of Chicago. The topics in this course are designed to train graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) to become effective teachers and well-rounded…

We report an intensive graduate teaching assistant (GTA) training program developed at The University of Chicago. The program has been assessed and has been successful in preparing GTAs for effective discussion and laboratory teaching for both general and organic chemistry. We believe that this training program can provide insightful information…

A new graduate teaching assistant (TA) training program has been developed to support curricular reforms in our large enrollment general chemistry courses. The focus of this training has been to support the TAs in the implementation of student-centered recitation sessions and support the professional development of the TAs. The training includes…

Invisible knowledge or the hidden curriculum, the informal education some students get from faculty mentors, is a privilege not afforded to all students. Many universities have instituted psychology careers courses to assist undergraduate psychology students with academic and career advisement. Designed to share this invisible curriculum with all…

As professional development models of teacher education that allow for self-directed, collaborative, inquiry-based learning are increasingly replacing more traditional top-down models, researchers acknowledge the impact of teachers' reflective practices. Although many different types of reflective practices are reported, the differences across…

This study examined sources of conflict in international teaching assistant (ITA) training programs for graduate students from abroad using a survey of 10 research and doctoral institutions. The survey sought to characterize some sources of conflict between ITA trainers and their constituencies as perceived by ITA trainers. Responses indicated…

Teaching assistantships can be a help or hindrance to a student's completion of a graduate degree and preparation as a teacher-scholar. The way in which graduate students are introduced to pedagogical scholarship and enabled to use that knowledge is critical. Different models are in use to train and mentor graduate students. (Author/MSE)

Discusses a graduate course at Washington University on teaching foreign languages with technology. Although there was some skepticism by students at the beginning of the course, by the end most believed that the integration of technology was useful for developing language acquisition and for introducing students to authentic materials of culture.…

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…

Describes a training program for graduate teaching assistants that utilizes examples, coaching, evaluation, and "prep meetings," conducted like a class in cooperative learning, but emphasizing teaching techniques as well as subject matter. Notes program effectiveness is assessed by classroom evaluations, student feedback, and self-evaluations.…

Sixteen papers address the training and professional development of graduate teaching assistants. The papers are: (1) "Preparing Graduate Students To Teach: Past, Present, and Future" (Nancy Van Note Chism); (2) "The Role of Centralized Programs in Preparing Graduate Students To Teach" (Jacqueline A. Mintz); (3) "The Disciplinary/Departmental…

This paper discusses the Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) program, the achievements of the program, its implications for educational policy, and its future goals. It notes that PFF was created to address the challenges faced by higher education by helping graduate students prepare to become tomorrow's faculty, strengthening their preparation as…

This collection of papers includes three parts. Part 1, "TA Development Programs," offers "Undergraduate Teaching Assistants: One Model" (Katherine M. Kulick); "Teaching Assistant Development: A Case Study" (Julia Herschensohn); and "Breaking Out of the Vicious Circle: TA Training, Education, and Supervision for the Less Commonly Taught Languages"…