STATISTICS 597C (SPRING SEMESTER 2013)
SUPERVISED GRADUATE TEACHING
The main course objective is to help prepare you for duties as a TA and course instructor later in
your program. The department is considers satisfactory completion of 597C when allowing
graduate students to teach their own course in subsequent semesters (including during the
summer session when financial support might otherwise not be available). The Weekly Schedule
provides topics for the semester.
Four classes will be taught by research associates from the Schreyer Institute for Teaching
Excellence: www.schreyerinstitute.psu.edu
CLASS DAY & TIME: 1:25 – 2:15 PM 207 Hammond Building
INSTRUCTORS:
 Patricia Buchanan, Senior Instructor of Statistics (Course Coordinator)
Office: 309 Thomas Email: pqb@stat.psu.edu

William Harkness, Professor Emeritus of Statistics
Office: 318 Thomas Email: wlh@stat.psu.edu

David Hunter, Professor of Statistics (Department Head)
Office: 326A Thomas Email: dhunter@stat.psu.edu
TABLE 1: SUMMARY OF COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Requirement
Teaching Experience 1 (TE1): incorporate an element learned from PowerPoint presentation
Teaching Experience 2 (TE2): incorporate active learning & technology component
Attend Teaching Session/Work Shop held by Schreyer Institute, STEM Group, etc.
In-Class Teaching Observation: Stat Faculty
Class Attendance (include being on time)
Total
Points
25
40
10
10
15
100
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Week
Date
Topic
1
Jan 10
Introductions & Case Study (TA Topic)
2
Jan 17
TA Training: Daisy Phillips (Grad Student) & Neill Johnson (Penn State Learning)
3
Jan 24
PowerPoint Tips: Schreyer Institute
4
Jan 31
On-line teaching tools: Glenn Johnson (Statistics Department)
TE1: Three students (10-12) min - (two groups)
5
Feb 7
6
Feb 14 TE1: Three students (10-12) min - (two groups)
7
Feb 21 Classroom Management: Schreyer Institute
8
Feb 28 Academic Integrity: Dr Hunter (Statistics Department)
9
Mar 14 Active Learning: Schreyer Institute
10
Mar 21 Decipher Discipline Thinking: Schreyer Institute
11
Mar 28 More technology options: Glenn Johnson
TE2: Two Students: two students teach around 18-22 minutes - (two groups)
12
Apr 4
TE2: Two Students: two students teach around 18-22 minutes - (two groups)
13
Apr 11
TE2: Two Students: two students teach around 18-22 minutes - (two groups)
14
Apr 18
15
Apr 25
Panel Discussion (Statistics Grad Students who have previously taught)
1
Stages of Development for Teach.ing Assistants 1 ll
Coll.....vt-.ln-Trainin-e
senior Leamer
looior COll.....vt •e
coorem5
Self/sirvival
Skills
Clutcomes
How ,,;/Istudents Ike me?
Howdo I lecrure, di<aiss?
Are students geai>g it]
i!ggmarh l'2 St1w1Pnt5
Engaged/ vulnerable; student as
friend. victim or enemy
DeQche<t student ..
experimental subject
Eng>gedlprofessionat student
as client
Disengage or distance lhemseNes
UOOefSfmd studentsiinstroaDr
octnirotioo, or are hUJ1. angry in
from swdents-becoming
response, and pe<sonoize
onalyrical about relationships
relarionships and the collaborati>e
effon fe1JWted for swdent
teaming ID occur
i.- swdents, expect
·
inreraaions
OiSCO!rSe
Presodalized
I
Postsocialized
Socialized
Tall< ike insidet3, use rechnical
language
Make ccmplex ideas deor ..;moor
use ofjargon
Independent or
ColllterdEpendent
Stand on own ideas-de/iant at
times
lnterdependent/collegi>l
Educational Model
Mentor
"Think about the problem,
generate optK1ns, and lets'di<aJss
l'ldPntial outcomes...
"Yoo make the dedsiat I.et me
lcmw if I can be of help ID you.
I'm interested in rhe outcome....
Assume larger role in coooe;
develop assignmen<s; generate
test questions; dosome leauring
Design and teach 0 base CDUfSe;
assist with on ocNonced course
Olientttion: sche«Jled
meetings:observation by
supervisor:frequent feedback
Seminlr designed to wkl
repertoire of teaching skils:
observation and feed>ack by
supervisor
Opportooities to reflect "'"
CUITKular and pedagogical
Relation with Other TAs
Co-learners:support system
Colle>g<JeS: resOll'ces
SerOor TAs mistflg with
ortentation of new TAs
Provide systemotic feedback on
development of indiYiduil
teaching skills
Provide
asa colleague
on developing •personil
te•ching style: Learn collegial
ways algiving and receiving
G..simp/islic explanaions
!Qglllidl
61rtha Bx
)I
Dependent
P.e/y Msupervisor
Befn ID relate tofarohr as
partners in meering /nstJucljooo/
EmohasJS on Stoervisor's Role
Manager
"Do the task my way and diedc
bode withme..
Te3t'tJIJg .assigonvint fac IA
Assist professor, grode papers;
hold office hours; conduct
carefiJl/y plonned lab<lsections;
collect feedbod< on coorse
Tt3t'ba: ItiillilC i!iainl;x fw:
I6i
E11rrtinn gt Wl11i1W;m
Frequently assess
Performance in
assignments
mw teaming
development and potential
approoches to students
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2
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