Hi Everyone
In our TBL courses (typical n=120 to 140, 20-28 teams) we have quite a
few of 1 instructor and no TA's events, and 1 instructor and 1 TA events
(TA helps with handling of team folders, etc.)
Someone from my Centre will attend classes at instructors request to
scan forms....but about half the instructor just pick up the scanner
(http://www.appersonedu.com/ADVabout.asp) and do it themselves. So a TA
may be helpful, but perhaps not essential for the RAP process
In the Application Activities, I think some TA's might be uncomfortable
circulating around the room, listening, and interacting with student
teams as an expert. We hire many of our TA's for specific marking
abilities (mathCAD, Excel, Rivet Structures software) and not specific
content expertise....and many instructors don't want to pay for TA hours
to attend class....rather spend the money on marking.
So a TA's may be nice...but not essential, in my opinion.
My two cents
Cheers
Jim
_________________________________________________
Jim Sibley
Director
Centre for Instructional Support
Faculty of Applied Science
University of British Columbia
2208-6250 Applied Science Lane
Vancouver, BC Canada
V6T 1Z4
Phone 604.822.9241
Fax 604.822.7006
Email: [log in to unmask]
Web: www.learning.apsc.ubc.ca
Blog: Adventures in Instructional Support:
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-----Original Message-----
From: Team Learning Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Sophie Sparrow
Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2008 6:00 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Do you have a TA in your TBL classes?
I have 4 TAs in a class of 84 students.
They score the iRATs during class.
They field test the RATs, which is invaluable.
They conduct outside optional weekly review and practice sessions.
For some of the team projects and student assignments, they give
feedback - comments only - on students' written work.
Sophie M. Sparrow
Professor of Law
Franklin Pierce Law Center
2 White Street
Concord, NH 03301
603-513-5205
603.225-9647 FAX
[log in to unmask]
>>> Molly Espey <[log in to unmask]> 9/24/2008 9:45 PM >>>
I had two TAs in a class of 110. They were able to get through all of
the
iRAT grading while I administered the GRATs and they were also very
helpful in answering questions during group activities. I might have
been
able to do as well with one TA, but I would want at least one for a
class
that size to help manage the teams and be able to be more responsive to
questions.
I have also taught (economics) many times to as many as 60, like this
semester, without a TA, and it seems to be working okay. I can't get
the
iRATs back the same class period, but that doesn't seem to matter since
they know how they did after the GRAT anyway. Knowing that I can't get
them all graded frees me to be more attentive to the groups during the
GRAT too.
I would say to give it a try with a TA. It's also an educational
experience for the TA, so you are teaching at two different levels at
once.
Molly Espey
Applied Economics and Statistics
Clemson University
> Hello All,
>
> I have a somewhat lame question. I have always done my classes alone
> without a TA because I've had quite small classes--I'm a language
> teacher. I'm turning to TBL in the hopes of keeping up the small
class
> atmosphere while dealing with a very large class. Now I have to write
a
> rationale for why I need a TA. Frankly, when they told me this-- I
> began to doubt whether I really do need one and am wondering if you
all
> can advise me.
>
> I couldn't get a scanner for grading the iRATs so I was hoping the TA
> could be hand-grading those while I administer gRATs and start
students
> on other tasks. I also thought the room set-up (getting tables set up
> for teams and putting them away again at the end) might be a little
> tough on my own--though once it becomes a routine I'm sure the
students
> could do this. My TBL is all hand-made. No clickers, just laminated
> A,B,C,D cards for teams to hold up. I do have the IF-AT forms--but
> that's all the budget I've been given.
>
> I'm not as young and spry as I used to be, but am I just being wimpy
in
> thinking that I need a helper? Do I have good reasons for getting a
TA?
>
> Thanks for your input!
>
> Christine
>
> --
> *******
> Christine Kuramoto, Assistant Professor: Medical English
> Kyushu University, Department of Medical Education
> Faculty of Medical Sciences
> 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582 Japan
> Phone: (+81)92-642-6186 Fax: (+81)92-642-6188
> E-mail: [log in to unmask]
>
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