EDC Training Schedule – Winter 2016
Training Outside of Carleton Central
The following types of training do not require registration in Carleton Central but should be kept in mind
as they are often better suited for the development of particular skills. Individuals interested in
participating in these forms of training should consult with their TA Mentor or the EDC.
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Peer Feedback: After the reviewer and reviewer have completed the necessary steps and made
arrangements, a peer attends an in-class teaching session to observe and provide feedback on areas
of strength and areas for growth.
a. NOTE: anyone wishing to conduct an observation for Peer Feedback must first complete the
1-hour online workshop “Conducting Peer Feedback.” No credit for hours is given until both the
online and live components have been completed.
b. Read the full description of this training option here.
Peer Mentor: New teaching assistants are matched with experienced teaching assistants to help
advise them in their new roles, as well acclimatize them to the university. (Only available in
participating departments; max. 3 hours of paid training hours per year.)
a. Read the full description of this training option here.
TA Articles: Teaching assistants research and submit a brief 1–2-page article on a teaching
methodology from their faculty or department, or a piece of wisdom they wish to share with other
teaching assistants at the university. Max. 2 per academic year.
a. NOTE: The final day to submit a first draft of a TA Article is February 12th, 2016.
b. Read the full description of this training option here.
Microteaching: This inclusive environment format of training seeks to improve the teaching and
presentation skills of teaching assistants and graduate students. Sessions are 3 hours long, max., and
can accommodate 4 (min.) to 6 (max.) individuals.
a. NOTE: Before a live microteaching session, participants must first form a microteaching
group, settle on a timeline for completion (include your host!), and then complete the online
“Participating in a Microteach” session. No credit for hours is given until both the online and
live components have been completed.
b. Live Sessions: Live microteaching sessions are scheduled on demand. If you are hoping to
have the EDC host the session, be sure to contact morgan.rooney@carleton.ca well in advance.
TAs are credited hours for the time it takes to run the live microteach. Usually, it takes
approximately 30 minutes to go through the cycle with each participant.
c. Read the full description of this training option here.
Workshops
The following sessions are traditional workshops ranging in length from 1–2 hours that involve a limited
amount of presentation and a variety of activities, including discussion, presentations, games,
worksheets, etc.
Registration: Teaching assistants register for these sessions in Carleton Central.
1. Preparing a Teaching Philosophy Statement (1.5 hrs)
Dr. Samah Sabra, Educational Development Centre
Teaching philosophy statements are central elements of your teaching dossier and the first
introduction perspective employers may have to your teaching style. They play important roles in an
academic’s career advancement, and most faculty will revisit and edit these statements throughout their
careers. Writing a teaching philosophy offers an excellent opportunity to reflect on your pedagogical
commitments and practices. This workshop will introduce you to this unique piece of academic writing
and give you the opportunity to begin developing your teaching philosophy statement.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Compiling a dossier, developing your professional portfolio
EDC Credit?: Yes.
Restrictions/Limitations: Continuing PhDs, max. enrolment of 20
Scheduling:
● Tuesday, January 12th, 10-11:30am
● Location: 422 DT
2. Improving Your Teaching through Feedback (1.5 hrs)
Dr. Morgan Rooney, Educational Development Centre
Teacher-scholars recognize the fundamental importance of timely, constructive feedback in helping their
students progress and in developing their own scholarship, and yet they often overlook taking advantage
of feedback for improving their teaching. In this workshop, we will explore some common misperceptions
toward student and peer feedback, its many tangible benefits for both students and teachers, and the
various means you can use to solicit it.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Managing a classroom, soliciting and incorporating feedback
EDC Credit?: Yes.
Restrictions/Limitations: All TAs, max. enrolment of 20
Scheduling:
● Wednesday, January 13th, 10-11:30am
● Location: 422 DT
3. In the Know and on the Go: Identifying Academic Support Services for Students (1.5 hrs)
Lakin Dagg, Learning Support Services
Feeling overwhelmed by the academic demands of your students? Know that you are not alone! This
workshop will provide detailed information regarding the academic resources that are available to TAs at
Carleton helping you to address the concerns and obstacles that many of your students face. Participants
of this workshop will engage in an interactive overview of the academic support services that are offered
through Student Academic Support Services.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Managing a classroom, institutional standards/procedures
EDC Credit: No.
Restrictions/Limitations: New TAs, max. enrolment of 25
Scheduling:
● Wednesday, January 13th, 1-2:30pm
● Location: 422 DT
4. Curiosity is… (1 hr)
Claudia Buttera, Department of Biology
An interactive discussion and exercise session aimed at identifying the role curiosity plays in learning, the
importance of exercising it in the undergraduate environment, the obstacles to exercising it, and how as
individuals playing an active role we can reignite intrinsic curiosity in our students, even about the most
‘boring’ of subjects.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Engaging students
EDC Credit?: Yes.
Restrictions/Limitations: All TAs, max. enrolment of 20
Scheduling:
● Thursday, January 14th, 3-4pm
● Location: 422 DT
5. An Introduction to cuLearn (1.5 hr)
Ryan Kuhne, Educational Development Centre
cuLearn is Carleton’s learning management system (LMS) where students can access course content,
interact with other members of the class, and submit work for assessment. This training session will
introduce teaching assistants to the basics of using the system from a TAs perspective. The main tasks to
be covered are communicating with other participants, grading assignments, and inputting grades.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Using your learning management system
EDC Credit?: No.
Restrictions/Limitations: All TAs, max. enrolment of 25
Scheduling:
● Friday, January 15th, 10-11:30am
● Location: 422 DT
6. Creating a Safe Classroom Environment: Steps and Strategies for TAs (1.5 hrs)
Christine Polihronis, Department of Psychology
The focus of this workshop is for TA's to come up with creative ways to foster an inclusive
classroom/online environment with their students. Topics covered in this workshop include how TAs play
a role in fostering classroom and online civility and how to establish civility/ground rules in your
classroom from a student-led perspective.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Teaching online, fostering discussion
EDC Credit?: Yes.
Restrictions/Limitations: All TAs, max. enrolment of 20
Scheduling:
● Friday, January 15th, 2-3:30pm
● Location: 422 DT
7. Motivating Students in Online and Blended Learning Environments (1 hr)
Maristela Petrovic-Dzerdz, Educational Development Centre
What do students report as main obstacles for success in online and blended learning environments?
What can we do to improve student motivation in these new modes of learning? What is the role TA can
play in this effort and how can it, in return, help TAs in their teaching assignments? In this interactive
workshop, we will explore the basic motivational states and strategies for improving students’ level of
confidence and satisfaction, which are the essential factors of success in learning.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Engaging students, online teaching
EDC Credit?: Yes.
Restrictions/Limitations: All TAs, max. enrolment of 20
Scheduling:
● Monday, January 18th, 10-11am
● Location: 422 DT
8. Simple and Effective Feedback: A How-To Guide (1.5 hrs)
Evan Jones, Department of History
Giving feedback can be a stressful event in the life of any teaching assistant, and for good reason. Giving
poor or unclear feedback may cause frustration and resentment, while giving clear and concise feedback
will create the proper environment for the long-term success of your students. This training session is
designed to give you the tools and the confidence to give effective and constructive feedback with a focus
on practical strategies that can be directly applied to your next marking endeavour.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Giving effective feedback
EDC Credit?: Yes
Restrictions/Limitations: All FASS and FPA TAs, max. enrolment of 25
Scheduling:
● Monday, January 18th, 1-2:30pm
● Location: 422 DT
9. Preparing a Teaching Philosophy Statement (1.5 hrs)
Dr. Samah Sabra, Educational Development Centre
Teaching philosophy statements are central elements of your teaching dossier and the first
introduction perspective employers may have to your teaching style. They play important roles in an
academic’s career advancement, and most faculty will revisit and edit these statements throughout their
careers. Writing a teaching philosophy offers an excellent opportunity to reflect on your pedagogical
commitments and practices. This workshop will introduce you to this unique piece of academic writing
and give you the opportunity to begin developing your teaching philosophy statement.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Compiling a dossier, developing your professional portfolio
EDC Credit?: Yes.
Restrictions/Limitations: Continuing PhDs, max. enrolment of 20
Scheduling:
● Tuesday, January 19th, 10-11:30am
● Location: 422 DT
10. Giving Effective Presentations: The Experience of ½ of Two Nerds (1.5 hrs)
Chris Motz, Department of Psychology
We all end up giving presentations, but these do not have to be bad nor do they have to cause us undue
anxiety. This interactive workshop will examine good and bad presentation techniques in a variety of
contexts, and will offer guidance for making this a rewarding experience for both the class or audience as
well as the presenter.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Giving presentations
EDC Credit?: Yes.
Restrictions/Limitations: All TAs, max. enrolment of 20
Scheduling:
● Tuesday, January 19th, 1-2:30am
● Location: 422 DT
11. Teaching New Dogs Old Tricks: Engaging Students in Library Research (1.5 hrs)
Martha Attridge Bufton, Carleton University Library
Generation Y students like search engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo, so much so that googling is
now a verb. So how do we get these students into the library, either in person or “on the cloud”? Martha
Attridge Bufton, a subject specialist at the Carleton University Library, will share teaching strategies to
raise awareness of the need to use library resources to find “good” information when delivering in-class
workshops to large groups—it’s all about filter bubbles, YouTube, and peer instruction.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Engaging students, managing a classroom
EDC Credit: Yes.
Restrictions/Limitations: All FASS and FPA TAs, max. enrolment of 25
Scheduling:
● Wednesday, January 20th, 10-11:30am
● Location: 422 DT
12. Incorporating Activities in Discussion Groups (1.5 hrs)
Dr. Morgan Rooney, Educational Development Centre
After a while, even the most lively discussion group can become stagnant. At this point, it’s time to get
creative! This workshop will demonstrate a number of different teaching techniques that can be
customized to your discussion group, including small group activities, games, and worksheets.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Managing a classroom, facilitating a discussion, incorporating and
managing activities
EDC Credit?: Yes.
Restrictions/Limitations: All TAs, max. enrolment of 20
Scheduling:
● Wednesday, January 20th, 1-2:30pm
● Location: 422 DT
13. Equity and Human Rights (1.5 hrs)
Smita Bharadia & Carrolyn Johnston, Equity Services
Carleton University has a great deal of diversity in its staff, faculty, and student populations, all of whom
deserve the same treatment and response. In order to help prepare you for interactions with all types of
individuals, join Equity services for this case-study based workshop that will provide insight on Carleton's
human rights policy. Topics include harassment, discrimination and a student’s right to accommodation.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Managing a classroom, adopting institutional standards and procedures
EDC Credit?: No.
Restrictions/Limitations: New TAs, max. enrolment of 25
Scheduling:
● Thursday, January 21st, 10-11:30am
● Location: 422 DT
14. Art of Conversation: Facilitating a Discussion Group (1.5 hrs)
Dr. Chris Brown, Public Affairs
This interactive workshop will focus on facilitating live, in-person discussion groups. Why hold discussion
groups in the first place? How should you prepare for them? What are some common problems
encountered? What are some strategies for addressing these problems? The workshop is intended for TAs
who are currently leading in-person discussion groups, especially those who are relatively new to the role.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Facilitating a discussion, managing a classroom
EDC Credit?: Yes.
Restrictions/Limitations: New FASS & FPA TAs, max. enrolment of 20
Scheduling:
● Thursday, January 21st, 1-2:30pm
● Location: 422 DT
15. Grading in cuLearn (1.5 hr)
Ryan Kuhne, Educational Development Centre
Grading in cuLearn can take on many forms. In this hands-on interactive session, we will explore some of
the primary forms of evaluation from the perspective of a student and TA in order to understand the
assessment procedures more fully. We will explore assignments, quizzes, and the gradebook. Please bring
your own laptop or device in order to fully participate. There will be a limited number of laptops made
available during the session should you require.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Using your learning management system, online teaching
EDC Credit?: No.
Restrictions/Limitations: All TAs, max. enrolment of 25
Scheduling:
● Monday, January 25th, 10-11:30am
● Location: 422 DT
16. Supporting and Accommodating Students with Disabilities (1.5 hrs)
Boris Vukovic, Paul Menton Centre for Students with Disabilities
This workshop will provide an overview of the services available through the Paul Menton Centre (PMC)
for Students with Disabilities at Carleton. PMC coordinators will cover the basics of the accommodation
process, including a background on relevant legislations, disability statistics, documentation standards
and requirements, accommodation procedures, and available resources. The second part of the workshop
will be open for discussion of issues specific to the work of TAs, and you will be invited to present cases,
questions, or scenarios to the PMC coordinators for feedback and advice.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Managing a classroom, adopting institutional standards and procedures
EDC Credit?: Yes.
Restrictions/Limitations: All TAs, max. enrolment of 25
Scheduling:
● Tuesday, January 26th, 10-11:30am
● Location: 422 DT
17. Facilitating Online Discussions (1.5 hrs)
Dr. Morgan Rooney, Educational Development Centre
Creating a safe, engaging, productive classroom environment is already a big challenge for live teaching,
so how do you do it if you’re asked to teach in an online environment where online discussion forums are
often your main point of contact with students? In this session, we’ll discuss strategies for facilitating
online discussions and consider just how much overlap there is between best practices for live and online
teaching.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Engaging students, teaching online
EDC Credit?: Yes.
Restrictions/Limitations: All TAs, max. enrolment of 25
Scheduling:
● Wednesday, January 27th, 10-11:30am
● Location: 422 DT
18. Managing Challenging Teaching Situations (1.5 hrs)
Smita Bharadia, Equity Services; Boris Vukovic, Paul Menton Centre for Students with Disabilities; and
Sarah Lanoue, International Student Services Office
In this hands-on, case-based training session, participants will work in groups to strategize effective ways
for managing challenging teaching situations inside and outside the classroom. A panel of experts with
representatives from the Paul Menton Centre, Equity Services, and the International Student Services
Office will be on hand to guide teams on the principles of creating safe, inclusive, fair teaching practices
when faced with a range of challenging situations.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Managing a classroom, fostering an inclusive learning environment
EDC Credit? Yes.
Restrictions/Limitations: All TAs, max. enrolment of 20
Scheduling:
● Wednesday, January 27th, 1-2:30pm
● Location: 422 DT
19. Art of Conversation: Facilitating a Discussion Group (1.5 hrs)
Dr. Chris Brown, Public Affairs
This interactive workshop will focus on facilitating live, in-person discussion groups. Why hold discussion
groups in the first place? How should you prepare for them? What are some common problems
encountered? What are some strategies for addressing these problems? The workshop is intended for TAs
who are currently leading in-person discussion groups, especially those who are relatively new to the role.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Facilitating a discussion, managing a classroom
EDC Credit?: Yes.
Restrictions/Limitations: New FASS & FPA TAs, max. enrolment of 20
Scheduling:
● Thursday, January 28th, 10-11:30am
● Location: 422 DT
20. Engineering TAs and Writing: Strategies for Helping Your Student with Their Writing-Related Issues
(1.5 hrs)
Samantha Shortt, Writing Tutorial Service; Burak Gunay, Department of Civil and Environmental
Engineering and TA Mentor; & Alex Craig, Department of Systems and Computer Engineering and TA
Mentor
Jointly offered by two Engineering TAs and a TA working as a writing tutor with the Writing Tutorial
Service, this workshop provides TAs with an overview of the writing process and common errors students
make, as well as the technical aspects of writing within the discipline of engineering. TAs will learn what to
look for when grading engineering papers and other writing assignments as well as better assist their
students with writing-related questions.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Teaching and marking writing
EDC Credit?: Yes.
Restrictions/Limitations: Engineering TAs only, max. enrolment of 25
Scheduling:
● Thursday, January 28th, 1-2:30pm
● Location: 422 DT
21. Developing a Framework for Teaching (1.5 hrs)
Dr. Anthony Marini, Educational Development Centre
This session presents participants with a framework to help design their presentations. The model assists
the instructor in identifying key learning objectives, enhance student participation, and explore strategies
for embedding assessment techniques in their presentations designed to inform both the instructor and
the student as to the impact of the instruction. The benefits of the model to focus instruction and help
instructors become more efficient in their teaching preparation will also be highlighted.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Engaging students, planning lessons
EDC Credit?: Yes.
Restrictions/Limitations: New TAs, max. enrolment of 20
Scheduling:
● Tuesday, February 2nd, 10-11:30am
● Location: 422 DT
22. Dealing with Emergencies in the Classroom (1.5 hrs)
Richard Sabourin, Department of University Safety
In this session, you will be provided with basic information on what to do in response to a variety of
emergency situations that could occur in your classroom. You will receive some tips on how to be better
prepared for a classroom emergency and what to do in the event of one, and you will have an opportunity
to ask questions about any safety-related concerns you may have. In addition, information will also be
provided on the various services and programs offered by the Department of University Safety.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Managing a classroom
EDC Credit?: Yes.
Restrictions/Limitations: All TAs, max. enrolment of 25
Scheduling:
● Wednesday, February 3rd, 1-2:30pm
● Location: 422 DT
23. Kinàmàgawin: Aboriginal Issues in the Classroom (1.5 hrs)—CANCELLED DUE TO LOW ENROLMENT
Mallory Whiteduck & Naomi Sarazin, Centre for Aboriginal Culture and Education
How do you talk about Aboriginal issues in your class? Oftentimes, discussions surrounding Indigenous
issues can leave students and TAs feeling uncomfortable, angry, and/or alienated. In this workshop, we
will explore some of the difficulties that can arise when discussing these issues in the classroom. Through
interactive activities and discussions, you will learn techniques to enhance your facilitation skills that will
enable an inclusive, safe, productive, and professional classroom environment.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Managing a classroom, creating an inclusive learning environment
EDC Credit: Yes.
Restrictions/Limitations: All FASS and FPA TAs, max. enrolment of 25
Scheduling:
● Thursday, February 4th, 1-2:30pm
● Location: 422 DT
24. Sexual Assault: Impacts and Implications for Your Classroom (1.5 hrs)
Carrolyn Johnston, Equity Services
This workshop will discuss the individual impacts of sexual assault as well as its implications for students’
academic success and how you can assist and support them in classroom. The workshop will be
interactive and feature many opportunities for discussion.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Managing a classroom, creating an inclusive classroom
EDC Credit: Yes.
Restrictions/Limitations: All TAs, max. enrolment of 25
Scheduling:
● Monday, February 8th, 10-11:30am
● Location: 422 DT
25. Dealing with Emergencies in the Classroom (1.5 hrs)
Richard Sabourin, Department of University Safety
In this session, you will be provided with basic information on what to do in response to a variety of
emergency situations that could occur in your classroom. You will receive some tips on how to be better
prepared for a classroom emergency and what to do in the event of one, and you will have an opportunity
to ask questions about any safety-related concerns you may have. In addition, information will also be
provided on the various services and programs offered by the Department of University Safety.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Managing a classroom
EDC Credit?: Yes.
Restrictions/Limitations: All TAs, max. enrolment of 25
Scheduling:
● Thursday, February 11th, 10-11:30am
● Location: 422 DT
26. Providing Feedback to Enhance Student Learning and Engagement (1.5 hrs)—SESSION RESCHEDULED
Dr. Anthony Marini, Educational Development Centre
A critical step in the assessment process involves providing students with effective feedback which both
enhances their understanding and guides their learning. The workshop will examine the various
techniques for providing timely and constructive feedback across a number of assessment formats and
disciplines. Techniques will focus on the “language” of effective feedback and will explore how
assessment tools can address the time demands involved.
Skills/Knowledge Developed: Providing effective feedback
EDC Credit?: Yes.
Restrictions: New TAs, max. enrolment of 20
Scheduling:
● Tuesday, February 23rd, 10-11:30am
● Location: 422 DT