Problems with TAs...

[Moemar]

Inspired by xEDIT409's "I can't understand my TA" post, I was wondering what your most common problems were with college TAs. I'm going to be a TA for the first time in a couple weeks, and wanted to get some input on suggestions and things to avoid. Oh, and I speak English already, so that part's taken care of.

 

[Anubis]

wha level of TA? graduate or under grad?

 

[brxndxn]

Most TAs seem to be very underprepared for teaching a class. Like, they may know the material very well, but they have problems explaining it in a way that's easy to pay attention to. Also, TAs never seem to encourage discussion, which seems to help people pay attention. Also, TAs need to generally speak louder and more sure of themselves.

One thing that a few good TAs do is prepare outlines or other handouts to aid in following along. The outlines help the TAs stay to the point as much as the students. If it's your first time teaching something, make sure you have a clear agenda laid out. I have skipped so many TA's classes because they seem to ramble on and don't accurately indicate the level of importance of whatever they're speaking about.

In fact, I would say the #1 absolute worse thing TAs do is fail to show me what is important to know and what isn't. Don't be mumbling over something that will be asked on an exam!

Also, be funny.. TAs seldom seem to be majors in humor.

 

[esun]

Well so far my favorite TA has been my math TA and he just gives us some problems to do (some conceptual, some you just calculate, so maybe 4-5 for a 1 hr discussion) and we work in groups of 3 and he walks around helping us. Then at the end he sums up how to do them (doesn't work them all out, but just tells you in general what you have to do).

My least favorite TA, so far, has done an ice breaker (that's it so far, since we only had one discussion and that before the first lecture). DO NOT do a dumb ice breaker, IMO. If it is interesting, maybe, but if it is stupid, don't, please.

 

[Moemar]

Thanks for the responses so far.

As far as specifics, I'm a masters student teaching undergrads in engineering (aerospace).

esun: what's your idea of a good icebreaker and a bad one? i wasn't planning on doing anything, but hey, if you guys give me something really good, i'll think about it

 

[nycxandy]

I hate icebreakers.

Some people just want to go to class, take their own notes, and be in their little world.

And T.A. advice... be friendly and open. This way students will stay attentive and won't be hesitant to appraoch you and ask questions.

 

[TuxDave]

M.S. Electrical Engineer Student here. I taught a junior level class for three semesters without problem. On the feedback form I never scored below a 4.5/5 on any of the categories. :-D You gotta prove to the students that you're organized, have some degree of power, know what you're talking about, and can explain things easily. Then it's easy.

 

[JoeKing]

Many TAs are more concerned about pleasing the profs than teachings well. And I hate signing up for a class just for a certain professor only to find out he uses his TAs to teach more than he actually does. Of course that's what evaluations are for :evil:

My senior year I helped out with an introductory course and found humor really helps breaks the ice with the kids. Just gotta watch out for those freshmen flirts