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  How to Support Student Connection  

It's the start of the semester! This can be is a time of high energy and motivation for you and your students, but it may feel daunting or alienating. Try these research-backed strategies to help students connect with you, each other, and your course content:

  1. Facilitate early activities that center student knowledge and connection
  2. Monitor student engagement and progress early
  3. Plan regular goal-directed activities throughout the semester

Learn more from the L&S Instructional Design Collaborative.

  Student Accommodations  

The goal of providing accommodations is access for students with disabilities. Accommodations do not ensure success in your class — they are not shortcuts or lowering the standards of the course. Accommodations provide equal opportunities to pursue learning.

Your lead instructor is a good resource if you have questions about student accommodations in your class.

Learn more in the McBurney Center Instructor Guide to Student Accommodations.

  Podcast: Building Trust  

How does higher education change students’ trust networks? What responsibility do educators have to build positive relationships with students? How can trust impact learning?

The L&S Exchange Podcast partners with the Center for Ethics & Education for an episode about trust in higher education.

Listen and discover curated resources on the episode page.

  Tips from Experienced TAs  

Teaching Mentors facilitate the annual L&S Fall TA Training event. Those selected to be Teaching Mentors have a proven track record of excellence as educators and a strong desire to mentor TAs.
 

Office Hours with Ethan vanderWilden

"Depending on the class, office hours can sometimes be empty, leaving the TA (me) confused and feeling unnecessary. Two thoughts that have helped boost office hour participation and my ability to connect with students: (1) reiterate throughout the semester what office hours are (many students may simply not know or assume that they are not the target audience); (2) offer examples in discussion sections of what a student could do in office hours, such as outlining an essay, talking through a specific lecture slide, or working through a study guide."

Ethan is a PhD Candidate in Political Science.

Navigating Classroom Dynamics & Disruptions

A new guide from the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Mentoring provides guidance on proactive strategies to build trust and address conflict effectively and advice for responding to challenging situations that may arise during class. Learn Proactive Strategies, how to Respond in the Moment, and methods for After the Moment.

Protecting Student Privacy (FERPA)

Discover key terms and principles in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) in this guide from the Registrar's Office. Contact your lead instructor (or other designated support person) for guidance navigating privacy concerns in your course.

L&S Spring TA Training Recap

TAs from 50+ L&S departments and programs participated in L&S New TA Training on January 24.
Visit the recap and see the photos!
TA Training Photos
 
Learning Forward is brought to you by the L&S TA Training & Support Team.
 
 
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