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Teaching Assistants(TA) Training - Report 2005

TA Training Programme:

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2 runs of the Teaching Assistants course for the year 2005 were conducted to accommodate the increase in number of TAs. Department Heads were asked to nominate TAs for the course. The first run of the programme was catered only to the TAs from the Faculty of Arts and Social sciences and a total of 65 teaching assistants attended the programme. A/P Tan Tai Yong, Dean of Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, gave the Welcome Address for the first run (21 – 22 February 2005) of the course.

A/P Andrew Wee, Vice-Dean of Faculty of Science gave the Welcome address for the second run (18 - 19 May 2005) and a total of 64 teaching assistants attended the programme.

Some of the topics covered in the programme include:

Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
Learning in Small Groups: Why?
Learning in Small Groups: How?
Presentation Skills
Motivating Students by Responding to Their Work
Assessment of Student Performance

The participants found the two-day programme inspiring, relevant, well-organised and informative.The various plenary sessions and workshops on micro-teaching were found to be useful, thought-provoking and interactive. In particular, participants found the sessions on 'Presentation Skills', 'Motivating Students' and 'Small Groups' enriching. Here is some of the feedback:

The programme is well-organised and is very useful to me in inspiring and stimulating me to reflect on new ways to teach and learn.

The programme was a pleasant surprise. It addressed relevant issues in a very pertinent way. The speakers were also dynamic & lively – excellent role models for us.

The micro-teaching serves as good feedback for us – quite good organisation on part of staff.

Very well-organized programme in which I benefit very much from the lecturers and my group members. The lecturers and other supportive staff are also rather enthusiastic in helping us. The contents in the programme is adequate and effective to improve TAs ability to implement their work in practice.

The programme is well organized. I can learn some helpful skills. However, several sessions are a bit beyond a TA’s scope. For example, usually TAs don’t have the chance to set tutorial questions.
Very relevant and the organization is good. I enjoyed the workshop.
Of course, it was relevant, helpful, took us across a wide-range of experiences of other TAs. Well organised, well-managed, well-designed. Overall, a good learning experience in a good exciting atmosphere.

Very relevant not only for our TA positions but our own presentation work in classes, for thesis committee meetings, future teaching, etc.
I like the way to organise the session. Personally speaking it may be better if more techniques like how to improve the interactive learning, are recommended.

It is quite helpful to enbroaden my understanding to teaching and to learn many new teaching skills, also get ideas from plenaries, workshops, etc, on the various aspects of teaching. All in all, it is a great programme!