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: http://ipeer.apsc.ubc.ca/wordpress/ e-Portfolio: http://ipeer.apsc.ubc.ca/wiki/index.php/Jim_Sibley_Portfolio ________________________________________________ (c) Copyright 2008, Jim Sibley, All rights reserved The information contained in this e-mail message and any attachments (collectively "message") is intended only for the personal and confidential use of the recipient (or recipients) named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this message in error and that any review, use, distribution, or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by e-mail, and delete the original message. ___________________________________________________ -----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] >