Learning Forward:

Support for Your Teaching as a Lecturer (Student Assistant)  
Hello L&S LSAs! 

Graduate student Lecturers, or LSAs, play an essential role in delivering a wide variety of courses to L&S undergraduates. For many of you, this may be your first time as instructor of record for your own course. Congratulations! Embarking on teaching independently for the first time can be both exciting and daunting. Even for seasoned instructors, we know that being both a graduate student and a Lecturer can come with unique challenges and opportunities.

This newsletter comes to you monthly from the L&S TA Training & Support Team in the L&S Teaching & Learning Administration. Our goals are to provide you with timely teaching tips and support throughout the semester. Please feel free to contact us if you need help or have any suggestions for this newsletter.

Best wishes for a great semester!

Lynne Prost
Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Academic Affairs
College of Letters & Science
 

  Who are the Students in Your Classroom?  

How can you get to know your students? Research shows small actions like learning student names and facilitating icebreakers can have a big impact. Start with these simple steps.

Resources to learn more:
  • UHS tips on building connections
  • NameCoach: Recorded name pronunciations
  • Tips for Learning Student Names (Ohio State)

  Teaching with AI  

How can instructors use generative AI to support student learning?
  1. Try activities that explore the capabilities and limitations of AI
  2. Establish norms and boundaries for classroom AI use
Read this article from the Instructional Design Collaborative for principles and action steps.

Resources to learn more:
  • "Generative AI in Teaching" from the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Mentoring
  • "AI Generated Text: Considerations for Teaching Learning & Writing" from Writing Across the Curriculum

  Supporting Students with Accommodations  

As an instructor of record, you are more likely than TAs to receive accommodation requests. This guide from the McBurney Disability Resource Center highlights:
  • What instructors are required to do for students with accommodations
  • Communication and expectation-setting
  • Making course content accessible
Learn More in the Guide

  Grow your Teaching with Peer Observation  

What do you want to learn about your teaching? Partner with other LSAs and TAs to watch each other teach and share supportive feedback.

Enroll by Sept. 25 for this semester's Peer Observations Partners.
Learn More about POP
 

Office of Student Assistance and Support (OSAS)

The Office of Student Assistance and Support (formerly the Dean of Students Office) is a primary resource for students navigating personal, academic, or health issues to get the help they need.

Elaine Goetz, Graduate and Professional Student Assistance Specialist, provides support and assistance specifically for graduate students.

Center for Teaching, Learning, and Mentoring (CTLM)

The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Mentoring supports instructors at all career stages in continuing growth as practitioners of the complex, dynamic and rewarding craft of teaching. Check out their events.

Employee Disability Resources

The Employee Disability Resources office offers information, consultation, education, and referral services to help minimize barriers in the workplace. If you are seeking support, a good place to start can be your Divisional Disability Representative.
 

  TA Training Recap & Photos  

TAs from 60+ departments and programs attended the L&S New and Returning TA Trainings on Aug 29.

Returning TA Training attendees valued:
  • connecting with grad teachers outside their department in small group workshops
  • working through advanced teaching challenges
Learn more and see photos in our Fall 2024 TA Training Recap.
Graduate student teachers learn in small groups at the Fall 2024 L&S TA Training.
Learning Forward is brought to you by the L&S TA Training & Support Team.

L&S Teaching & Learning Administration
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