Graduate Student Teaching Orientation Workshops 2025
FiT Workshop: Teaching as an International Scholar
Description: This workshop is intended for students who are new(ish) to teaching in the US and to the US educational system. Participants will learn about commonly reported experiences of international students teaching in the US, discuss general classroom norms and expectations in the US higher education system, and brainstorm strategies to navigate their role as instructors.
Dates and Times:
Monday, August 11 at 9am-10:30am
Tuesday, August 12 at 11:30am-1pm
Thursday, August 14 at 3:00pm-4:30pm
Friday, August 15 at 9am-10:30am
FiT Workshop: Facilitating Group Work
Description: Educational research suggests that students acquire and retain knowledge most effectively by engaging in collaborative learning groups with peers. In this workshop, participants will practice and discuss strategies for effective implementation and facilitation of collaborative learning in an inclusive learning environment.
Dates and Times:
Monday, August 11 at 11:30am-1pm
Thursday, August 14 at 11:30am-1pm
Tuesday, August 19 at 11:30am-1pm
FiT Workshop: Improving Presentation Skills
Description: In this workshop, AIs will learn strategies for improving the communication and performance skills that are essential for effective teaching—whether in a laboratory, a discussion, or a lecture. Topics will include: How to design presentations by shaping the content and structure to maximize student learning; How to use visuals effectively; How to practice and prepare for presentations in the classroom; How to use feedback to improve your performance.
Dates and Times:
Monday, August 11 at 9am-10:30am
Monday, August 11 at 3:00pm-4:30pm
Tuesday, August 12 at 11:30am-1pm
Thursday, August 14 at 9am-10:30am
Thursday, August 14 at 11:30am-1pm
Thursday, August 21 at 9am-10:30am
Thursday, August 21 at 11:30am-1pm
Friday, August 22 at 11:30am-1pm
FiT Workshop: Grading & Responding to Students’ Concerns about Grades
Description: In this workshop, participants will learn how to grade effectively, efficiently and fairly, as well as how to communicate with students about grades.
Dates and Times:
Thursday, August 14 at 9am-10:30am
Friday, August 15 at 11:30am-1pm
Tuesday, August 19 at 3:00pm-4:30pm
FiT Workshop: Who’s in Charge? Establishing Authority in the Classroom
Description: Managing a classroom environment can be one of the more intimidating components for being a new AI. Managing a classroom environment can be one of the more intimidating components of teaching, particularly when you are a first-time assistant in instruction (AIs). In this workshop, participants will learn about the factors that shape perceptions of a new instructor’s authority and how that authority can be used to create and maintain an academically rigorous, productive and engaging learning environment.
Dates and Times:
Tuesday, August 12 at 9am-10:30am
Thursday, August 14 at 3:00pm-4:30pm
Monday, August 18 at 11:30am-1pm
Thursday, August 21 at 11:30am-1pm