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 < Training for Teaching Assistants

Teaching Assistantship Training Course

As the saying goes, a great way to learn something is to teach it! Being a teaching assistant (TA) is an excellent way to dive deeper into course topics, master course materials, and gain experience in teaching. TAs also get a behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into course facilitation and management. The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) offers a training course to support current and future BPSH teaching assistants.

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Program Overview

The Teaching Assistantship Training Course is a self-paced, online course to train TAs for both online and on-campus courses. It is facilitated by members of the CTL Instructional Design Team and orients TAs to:

  • the roles and responsibilities of their position,

  • technical tools,

  • teaching tips,

  • BSPH policies and regulations,

  • and other recommended practices for effective course support.

Upon finishing the modules and all assignments, students receive a certificate of completion. Some BSPH academic departments require this certificate for TAs to work; inquire with your specific department for hiring requirements.

Learning Objectives

Upon successfully completing the course, students will be able to:

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  • Identify possible roles for teaching assistants (TA) at BSPH and the resources in place that support these roles

  • Apply technological tools to successfully set up, use, and navigate the CoursePlus learning management system

  • Write effective feedback in the context of student grading and assessment

  • Review regulations of FERPA and academic ethics

  • Apply different pedagogical perspectives to problem-solve an authentic classroom scenario from a TA perspective

How to Enroll

This self-paced course includes hands-on practice, asynchronous peer interaction, and two synchronous workshop sessions. The coursework can be completed in approximately 9 hours. The course is offered year-round across two sessions and has rolling enrollment, so you can enroll at any time during each session.

  • Session 1: January 1 – June 30

  • Session 2: July 1 – December 31

The course is composed of the following components.

  • Asynchronous Online Modules: Several sequential modules include video lectures, readings, activities, and assignments.

  • Asynchronous and Synchronous Assignments and Activities: See the syllabus in CoursePlus for more details.

Credit/Recognition for Completion

This course is not offered for academic credit, but a certificate is awarded to students who successfully complete all coursework, including discussions, readings, lectures, quizzes, and assignments. The syllabus contains details for each assignment. The assignments completed during the course may also be suitable for use as part of a teaching portfolio for those who intend to pursue a teaching career.

Johns Hopkins University Teaching Academy: Phase 1 Requirement

The Teaching Academy offers college teacher training and academic career preparation opportunities to PhD students and postdoctoral fellows from all divisions across Johns Hopkins University through courses, workshops, teaching practicums, teaching-as-research fellowships, and individual consultation. The CTL Teaching Assistantship Training Course Certificate has been approved to fulfill the Phase 1 Requirement for the Johns Hopkins University Teaching Academy Program. Students interested in obtaining a Johns Hopkins Teaching Academy certification can complete the CTL Teaching Assistantship Training Course and then continue their path with the Teaching Academy Program.

Questions?

If you have questions about the Teaching Assistantship Training Course, please contact the course facilitators:

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