Teaching Assistants' Training Program Workshops

Course instructors often encounter tensions around difficult topics that engage issues of identity across differences in power and culture. This workshop encourages participants to explore how dialogic pedagogical approaches can be used to navigate and encourage difficult conversations in the classroom. Participants will be introduced to the philosophies of dialogic pedagogies, exploring what they can […]

Please note that these sessions can be counted towards Job training, but not towards any TATP Certificates.  Nevertheless, anyone is welcome to participate in the event.   This is a 2-hour webinar for first-appointment TAs. This session will cover strategies for teaching. All departments may allow TAs to use this 2-hour session as part of their 4 […]

This workshop is designed to help teaching assistants develop effective, professional relationships with their course instructors. Through interactive activities and guided discussions, TAs will explore best practices for communication, boundary setting, and collaborative goal-setting within the TA-CI dynamic. Key topics include clarifying roles and responsibilities, handling conflicts, managing expectations, and providing constructive feedback to enhance […]

This workshop will demystify pedagogy by first contextualizing and defining this term and then exploring different styles of teaching in higher education. Participants will be exposed to several pedagogical approaches including, critical and anti-oppressive pedagogies, with an emphasis on pedagogies that foster inclusive classroom environments. A student-centered (constructivist) approach will allow participants to reflect on […]

The pedagogical space is not limited to the physical classroom. Experiential learning provides demonstrable benefits to students by bringing their learning in contact with ‘real world’ experiences. But not knowing how to incorporate experiential learning into your course design can be a deterrent for instructors. The University of Toronto has a vast network of spaces […]

University educators seem to be concerned by the number of distractions and barriers plaguing their educational space. Some examples of distractions and barriers include technology like cell phones or laptops and, inaccessibility and alienation from material lesson design. These examples could lead to student burnout and cognitive overload, lack of motivation, which may result in […]

This workshop is designed to equip Teaching Assistants with effective strategies for creating inclusive and engaging online learning environments using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and educational technology. Participants will delve into the core UDL principles, including providing multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression, and explore their application in virtual settings.The session will […]

Each OnlineMicroteaching session will involve 5 graduate student participants and 2 TATPfacilitators. Participants will take turns acting as instructors by takingtheir students (i.e., other participants and TATP facilitators) through a 10(ten) minute lesson over Zoom. Following their lesson and a brief reflection, eachinstructor will provide a brief, verbal self-assessment, stating what theythought worked well in […]

The statement of teaching philosophy (STP) is the foundation of any teaching dossier, is often requested as part of an academic job application, and is an important part of the tenure and promotion process. This short statement needs to effectively communicate your ideas, beliefs, and values about teaching in a condensed space. In writing your […]

This workshop will provide TAs and CIs with the tools needed to integrate writing into STEM course curriculums. We will cover topics such as learning to write vs. writing to learn, writing as an iterative process, and building student confidence and proficiency in scientific writing. We will explore a range of strategies for fostering scientific […]

This 2-hour workshop will equip Teaching Assistants and Graduate Students with strategies to develop and apply intercultural communication skills to a variety of settings in the classroom. Participants will reflect on their cultural perspectives, positionality, and cultural toolkits to deepen their own self-awareness as educators, and will develop strategies to adapt their own teaching to […]

Whether you’re new to inclusive pedagogies or seasoned in such pedagogies, this book series will provide you with the tools and community support to enhance your impact as an educator. Join us to transform your teaching and make a difference in the lives of your students! - Session #1: Understanding Inclusive Teaching Principles : In […]