It’s not them, it’s you: Teaching Incrementally

(just put in the effort)

Aneeta Rattan and Shantal Marshall

TA Training Workshop

September 19, 2007

Ask yourself…

What would you like to see in your end-of-quarter teaching evals?

Theories of Intelligence

Entity/Fixed Intelligence = Fixed trait, focus on ability Helpless response = “This is no fun!” “I give up”

Incremental/Growth Intelligence = Malleable quality, focus on effort Mastery-oriented response = “I love a challenge”

Consequences To performance, sense of belonging, future

interest

Thoughts to watch out for…

That student is so smart! This student just doesn’t really get it I’ve already explained this as best as I can This subject (stats) is either something you get

or don’t It’s their responsibility to learn this If they don’t get it, I’m sure they’ll come to OH

Your mission as a TA:

Be a LEARNING assistant for your students!

Take the time to explain good learning strategies

Go beyond just presenting the material!

Check up on them

How to teach incrementally

Lesson plans

Using the materials around you

Asking questions

Feedback - how to praise (and criticize)

Letting your students teach too

You are not the only teacher in the room

Pair up students strategically

Pick on everyone in the room

Group work

Take home points

Teach incrementally: Effort instead of intelligence Be a learning assistant Plan how to be an incremental teacher Let the students teach each other

You can do it…just put in the effort!!