Being a Teaching Assistant

Most students TA for the largest classes, which are the general chemistry courses taken mostly by freshmen.  These are huge classes, with typically 500-600 students enrolled a semester, and each TA has two lab sections of approximately 20 students each.  Actual teaching responsibilities typically include giving a 10 minute quiz, preparing a 45 minute “recitation” or review of that week’s material, and supervising the lab portion of the class.  Outside of class, TAs grade all classes' quizzes and lab reports.  Also, you will have to sit in a helproom for a couple of hours a week to provide help to students (usually questions about lab reports) and proctor exams.

Some students are assigned higher level courses, where you would work one-on-one with the instructor to determine your role as a teaching assistant.  Since these vary, there isn't too much we can say to help you prepare for these.

Here are some hints to help you as you begin teaching:

1. Keep organized, and if you are on top of your grading it won't be as bad.   DON'T save up grading your labs until the end of the semester.  Students will be angry about the late returns, and you will have to lock yourself up for days in order to get through the pile!

2. Whether you think so or not, teaching is actually very important:

        -Everyone says that it is the best review for your oral exams - so the more effort you put into preparing for your recitations the more reward in the long run

        -The course instructors will know if you are slacking, as will your students, and you don't want to let anyone in the department down

3. Be confident, even if you have never done anything like this

        -You get used to it quickly

        -Remember that, for the most part, your students are young and scared of you -- so whether you think you are prepared or not, you have a wealth of knowledge compared to your students and they will benefit from what you have say.   But still prepare!!

4. Handouts are huge!  They take more prep time, but recitation flows better, and your students will appreciate your effort

        -Look and ask around for old handouts.   Talk to TAs who were given awards from the previous year.  They may have learned something from their experience that would be useful to you.  After all, why reinvent the wheel?

        -Collaborate with other TAs for the course (if there are any).  You can come up with better material together, and save yourselves some time.

5. If you encounter problems with the labs or manuals, talk to the lead TA or course instructors.