海角社区

9:00 Sessions

The plenary will include three components, with several opportunities for Q&A:

• A presentation from the Office of the Dean of Students about common concerns TAs and TFs might encounter and the kinds of support they provide to students and instructors.
• An opportunity for you to consider why and how you will establish authority with students in the classroom, facilitated by CTE staff members.
• A panel of faculty, who will share their experiences teaching 海角社区 students and strategies to help you get to know your students and teach them effectively. (Panelists: Clarissa Keen, Visiting Assistant Professor, Chemistry; Erik Owens, Professor of the Practice in Theology & Director, International Studies Program; H茅ctor E. Rodr铆guez-Simmonds, Core Fellow; Visiting Assistant Professor, Engineering)

There will also be a raffle.

11:15 Sessions

Experiences of Teaching Fellows Panel

This open discussion with a panel of experienced TFs will cover the challenges and opportunities of serving as a Teaching Fellow at Boston College, along with practical strategies for managing the responsibilities of your role.

Teaching Natural Sciences in the Lab Workshop

Science Teaching Assistants generally have more opportunities in the laboratory setting for direct contact with individual students than do instructors who teach in a traditional classroom. In this session, we will present a variety of scenarios that a lab TA might encounter and then discuss the options and resources available for managing each situation. This session will be facilitated by Lynne O鈥機onnell, Director, Chemistry Labs, Chemistry Department, Malavika Chandra, Director, Physics Labs, Physics Department, and Katie Rose Boissonneault, Assistant Director, Biology Labs, Biology Department.聽

Planning for a Strong Start as a Teaching Assistant Workshop

Open to all new Teaching Assistants who do not need to attend the session 鈥淭eaching Natural Sciences In The Lab,鈥� this interactive workshop will help prepare you for a successful start to the semester. In this session, we will spend the majority of the time discussing how you might handle some typical challenging scenarios. You will also consider how you will grade and identify strategies for working on a teaching team.

12:45 Sessions

Experiences of Underrepresented & International Instructors Panel

For instructors who identify as international and/or as belonging to historically underrepresented groups -- who are navigating a university system in a different culture or who don鈥檛 fit their students鈥� assumptions about who a 鈥渢ypical professor鈥� should be -- the classroom can present unique challenges. In this open discussion with a panel of experienced TAs and TFs who identify as international or underrepresented in various ways, we鈥檒l talk about some of those challenges and share strategies for responding to them.

Collegiality and Solidarity in Teaching Workshop

As international and underrepresented instructors meet to reflect on teaching experiences at 海角社区, this session is a space for instructors who identify as members of groups that have historically had greater access to systems of power. During the session, participants will learn a little bit about the dynamics underrepresented and international instructors often end up negotiating when making pedagogical decisions. Participants will also have a chance to reflect on their own social location and identify some steps they can take in their teaching to practice solidarity with their colleagues.聽

Educational Technology: Essential Tools Workshop

This workshop is for TAs and TFs seeking to leverage technology to improve their instructional practices. The session will increase your awareness of the educational technology available to you at 海角社区 and give you some quick tips on what you need before day one of the semester. It will cover essential Canvas topics, including efficient gradebook management and the setup and monitoring of announcements and notifications. We will show you tools like Poll Everywhere for interactive student engagement, and explore the potential of Generative AI (GenAI) to innovate and enhance your teaching methods.

2:00 Sessions

Experiences of Teaching Assistants: Humanities & Social Sciences Panel

This open discussion with a panel of experienced TAs in the humanities and the social sciences will cover the challenges and opportunities of serving as a Teaching Assistant at Boston College, along with practical strategies for managing the responsibilities of your role.

Experiences of Teaching Assistants: STEM Panel

This open discussion with a panel of experienced TAs in STEM fields will cover the challenges and opportunities of serving as a Teaching Assistant at Boston College, along with practical strategies for managing the responsibilities of your role.

Planning for a Strong Start as a Teaching Fellow Workshop

Open to all new Teaching Fellows, this interactive workshop will help you prepare for a strong start to the semester and, more broadly, for a successful first semester as a TF at Boston College. In this session, you will 1) reflect on how to successfully set the stage for student engagement, 2) practice creating a lesson plan, and 3) discuss how to navigate difficult classroom situations. Participants will leave this session with the start of a plan for the first day of class.

Schedule Overview

Friday, August 25 in 245 Beacon & Higgins Hall

8:30 am: Light Breakfast and Registration (245 Beacon)聽

9:00 am: Plenary: Engaging and Supporting 海角社区 Students (245 Beacon)聽

10:30 am: Concurrent Session (Higgins)

11:30 am: Pick up box lunches (Higgins)

12:00 pm Concurrent Session (Higgin)

1:15 pm: Concurrent Session (Higgins)

2:30 pm: Planning for the First Weeks as a Teaching Assistant for TAs in Natural Sciences (Higgins)

See the detailed schedule below for more information about the sessions.

9:00 Sessions

A representative from the Office of the Dean of Students will share some statistics about 海角社区 students and how that can inform how you approach teaching. This will be followed by a panel of faculty, who will share their experiences teaching 海角社区 students and strategies to help you get to know your students and teach them effectively. Q&A will follow the panel.

10:30 Sessions

Experiences of Teaching Fellows at 海角社区

This open discussion with a panel of experienced TFs will cover the challenges and opportunities of serving as a Teaching Fellow at Boston College, along with practical strategies for managing the responsibilities of your role.

Planning for the First Weeks as a Teaching Assistant

Open to all new Teaching Assistants who do not need to attend the session 鈥淭eaching Natural Sciences In The Lab,鈥� this interactive workshop will help prepare you for a successful start to the semester. In this session, you will 1) identify strategies for working on a teaching team, 2) consider how you will grade, and 3) discuss how you might handle some typical challenging scenarios.

Teaching Natural Sciences In The Lab

Science Teaching Assistants generally have more opportunities in the laboratory setting for direct contact with individual students than do instructors who teach in a traditional classroom. In this session, we will present a variety of scenarios that a lab TA might encounter and then discuss the options and resources available for managing each situation. This session will be facilitated by Lynne O鈥機onnell, Director, Undergraduate Chemistry Labs, Chemistry Department, and Douglas Warner, Director, Biology Laboratories, Biology Department. Please note: This session will be recorded and shared with natural science TAs who are unable to attend.聽

12:00 Sessions

Experiences of Underrepresented & International Instructors at 海角社区 Panel

For instructors who identify as international or as belonging to historically underrepresented groups -- who are navigating a university system in a different culture or who don鈥檛 fit their students鈥� assumptions about who a 鈥渢ypical professor鈥� should be -- the classroom can present unique challenges. In this open discussion with a panel of experienced TAs and TFs who identify as international or underrepresented in various ways, we鈥檒l talk about some of those challenges and share strategies for responding to them.聽

Teaching as an Ally at 海角社区 Workshop

As international and underrepresented instructors meet to reflect on teaching experiences at 海角社区, this session is a space for instructors who are members of groups that have historically had greater access to systems of power. During the session, participants will learn a little bit about the dynamics underrepresented and international instructors often end up negotiating when making pedagogical decisions. Participants will also have a chance to reflect on their own social location and identify some steps they can take in their teaching to practice solidarity with their colleagues.聽

Using Technology to Build Rapport with Students Workshop

Research shows that establishing rapport with students can increase participation and relationship-building, lower anxiety, support learning, and foster a more inclusive learning environment. However, deciding how you want to build rapport with students isn鈥檛 always easy. In this workshop, participants will explore ways in which technology鈥搉amely, Perusall and Poll Everywhere鈥揷an be integrated into your instruction to build stronger rapport with students. We will offer some background into the value of building rapport, and provide practical strategies and tools that can enhance instructor-student relationships when teaching and grading. The session will also include time for participants to experiment with various tools.

1:25 Sessions

Planning for the First Weeks as a Teaching Fellow

Open to all new Teaching Fellows, this interactive workshop will help you prepare for the first weeks of class and, more broadly, for a successful first semester as a TF at Boston College. In this session, you will 1) practice creating a lesson plan, 2) reflect on ways to establish authority and navigate boundaries as a new instructor, 3) decide how you will get to know your students, and 4) discuss how to navigate difficult classroom situations. Participants will leave this session with the start of a plan for the first day of class. This session will end at 3:15 p.m.

Experiences of Teaching Assistants at 海角社区: Humanities & Social Sciences聽

This open discussion with a panel of experienced TAs in the humanities and the social sciences will cover the challenges and opportunities of serving as a Teaching Assistant at Boston College, along with practical strategies for managing the responsibilities of your role. This session will end at 2:15 p.m.聽

Experiences of Teaching Assistants at 海角社区: STEM

This open discussion with a panel of experienced TAs in STEM fields will cover the challenges and opportunities of serving as a Teaching Assistant at Boston College, along with practical strategies for managing the responsibilities of your role. This session will end at 2:15 p.m.聽

2:30 Sessions

Planning for the First Weeks as a Teaching Assistant in the Natural Sciences

Open to all new Teaching Assistants who attend 鈥楾eaching Natural Sciences In The Lab,鈥� this interactive workshop will help prepare you for a successful start to the semester. In this session, you will 1) identify strategies for introducing a lab to students, 2) consider how you will grade, and 3) reflect on how to work on a teaching team. This session will end at 3:45 p.m.

Friday, August 26, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00/3:30 pm | Higgins Hall

9:00 - 10:15 am: Plenary: Engaging and Supporting 海角社区 Students (Higgins 300)

10:30 - 11:30 am: Concurrent Session #1

11:30 am - 12:00 pm: Pick up box lunches (Outside Higgins 300)

12:00 - 1:00 pm: Concurrent Session #2

1:10 pm: Concurrent Session #3

2:20 - 3:30 pm: Preparing for the First Semester as a Teaching Assistant (for TAs in Natural Sciences)

You can find more information about the sessions below.

9:00 Sessions

Caroline Davis,聽Director of Student Outreach and Support Services, will share some statistics about 海角社区 students and how that can inform how you approach teaching. This will be followed by a panel of faculty, who will share their experiences teaching 海角社区 students and strategies to help you get to know your students and teach them effectively. Q&A will follow the panel.

10:30 Sessions

Experiences of Underrepresented & International Instructors Panel

For instructors who identify as international or as belonging to historically underrepresented groups -- who are navigating a university system in a different culture or who don鈥檛 fit their students鈥� assumptions about who a 鈥渢ypical professor鈥� should be -- the classroom can present unique challenges. In this open discussion with a panel of experienced TAs and TFs who identify as international or underrepresented in various ways, we鈥檒l talk about some of those challenges and share strategies for responding to them.

Teaching as an Ally at 海角社区

As international and underrepresented instructors meet to reflect on teaching experiences at 海角社区, this session is a space for instructors who are members of groups that have historically had greater access to systems of power. The session will start with a brief presentation on acting in solidarity with underrepresented and international instructors when making pedagogical decisions before inviting a panel of experienced graduate student instructors to talk about how they try to prioritize students from historically marginalized groups in their teaching. The session will conclude with time for Q&A and discussion.聽

Recognizing and Responding to Students in Distress

Over the last decade the number of students arriving on campus with severe psychological problems has steadily increased, and this has only been exacerbated since 2020 with the COVID pandemic. This workshop will provide information and skills that will assist TAs and TFs when responding to students who are struggling. Participants will learn: 1) how to recognize students in distress, 2) what instructors can do to support students who are struggling, and 3) where on campus instructors can turn for help when working with a distressed student. This session will be facilitated by Eileen Suhrhoff, Associate Director, University Clinical Services, University Counseling Services.

12:00 Sessions

Experiences of Teaching Fellows at 海角社区

This open discussion with a panel of experienced TFs will cover the challenges and opportunities of serving as a Teaching Fellow at Boston College, along with practical strategies for managing the responsibilities of your role.

Experiences of STEM Teaching Assistants at 海角社区

This open discussion with a panel of experienced TAs in STEM fields will cover the challenges and opportunities of serving as a Teaching Assistant at Boston College, along with practical strategies for managing the responsibilities of your role.

Experiences of Humanities & Social Sciences Teaching Assistants at 海角社区

This open discussion with a panel of experienced TAs in the humanities and the social sciences will cover the challenges and opportunities of serving as a Teaching Assistant at Boston College, along with practical strategies for managing the responsibilities of your role.聽

1:10 Sessions

Preparing for the First Semester as a Teaching Fellow

Open to all new Teaching Fellows, this interactive workshop will help you prepare for the first days of class and, more broadly, for a successful first semester as a TF at Boston College. In this session, you will 1) reflect on the kind of instructor you want to be, 2) decide how you will get to know your students, 3) identify strategies to help you grade, and 4) discuss how you might handle some typical challenging scenarios. You will also have the opportunity to synthesize what you learned in other orientation sessions and share key takeaways with peers. Participants will leave this session with the start of a plan for the first day of class. This session will end at 3:00 p.m.

Teaching Natural Sciences In The Lab

Science Teaching Assistants generally have more opportunities in the laboratory setting for direct contact with individual students than do instructors who teach in a traditional classroom. In this session, we will present a variety of scenarios that a lab TA might encounter and then discuss the options and resources available for managing each situation. This session will be facilitated by Lynne O鈥機onnell, Director, Undergraduate Chemistry Labs, Chemistry Department, and Douglas Warner, Director, Biology Laboratories, Biology Department. Please note: This session will be recorded and shared with natural science TAs who are unable to attend. The session will end at 2:10 p.m.

Preparing for the First Semester as a Teaching Assistant

Open to all new Teaching Assistants who do not need to attend the session 鈥淭eaching Natural Sciences In The Lab,鈥� this interactive workshop will help you prepare for the first days of class and, more broadly, for a successful first semester as a TA at Boston College. In this session, you will 1) reflect on the kind of instructor you want to be, 2) identify strategies for working on a teaching team, 3) consider how you will grade, and 4) discuss how you might handle some typical challenging scenarios. You will also have the opportunity to synthesize what you learned in other orientation sessions and share key takeaways with peers. Participants will leave this session with the start of a plan for the first weeks of class. This session will end at 3:00 p.m.

2:20 Sessions

Preparing for the First Semester as a Teaching Assistant in the Natural Sciences

Open to all new Teaching Assistants who attend 鈥楾eaching Natural Sciences In The Lab,鈥� this interactive workshop will help you prepare for the first days of class and, more broadly, for a successful first semester as a TA at Boston College. In this session, you will 1) reflect on the kind of instructor you want to be, 2) identify strategies for working on a teaching team, and 3) consider how you will grade. You will also have the opportunity to synthesize what you learned in other orientation sessions and share key takeaways with peers. Participants will leave this session with the start of a plan for the first weeks of class. This session will end at 3:30 p.m.

Friday, August 20, 2021,聽 10:00 a.m. - 3:15 pm | Virtual (via Zoom)

• 10:00 am - 11:00 am: Concurrent Sessions #1
• 11:15 am - 12:45 pm: Plenary: Engaging and Supporting 海角社区 Students
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Concurrent Sessions #2
• 2:15 pm - 3:15 pm: Concurrent Sessions #3
• 3:15 pm: Conference ends

You can find more information about the plenary and concurrent sessions below.

STEM graduate students TAing in lab courses were able to participate in the in-person session, Teaching Natural Sciences In The Lab, on Friday, August 27 from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 am.

10:00 Sessions

Troubleshooting Challenging Scenarios For Teaching Assistants

As a TA, you may need to respond to unexpected student comments or other behaviors, grade and provide feedback to students, and manage communication with the primary instructor of the course. In this session, we鈥檒l talk through some typical 鈥渃hallenging鈥� scenarios. We鈥檒l also leave plenty of time for open discussion, questions, and ideas.

Troubleshooting Challenging Scenarios For Teaching Fellows

Even experienced instructors can sometimes be caught off guard by unexpected student comments or other behaviors. In this session, we鈥檒l talk through some typical 鈥渃hallenging鈥� scenarios. We鈥檒l also leave plenty of time for open discussion, questions, and ideas.

11:15 Sessions

This year鈥檚 plenary will include a panel of staff from Student Affairs who will share resources available on campus to help you support your students. This will be followed by a panel of faculty, who will share their experiences teaching 海角社区 students and strategies to help you get to know your students and teach them effectively.

1:00 Sessions

Experiences of Underrepresented & International Instructors

For instructors who identify as international or as belonging to historically underrepresented groups -- who are navigating a university system in a different culture or who don鈥檛 fit their students鈥� assumptions about who a 鈥渢ypical professor鈥� should be -- the classroom can present unique challenges. In this open discussion with a panel of experienced TAs and TFs who identify as international or underrepresented in various ways, we鈥檒l talk about some of those challenges and share strategies for responding to them.聽

Teaching as an Ally at 海角社区

This session will begin with a brief presentation, then transition to an open discussion with a panel of experienced graduate instructors. The presentation will focus on some ways instructors from traditionally privileged backgrounds can be in active solidarity with colleagues from underrepresented groups, while the panel discussion will focus on how some graduate student instructors have experimented with creating classroom environments that center the experiences of historically underrepresented students.

2:15 Sessions

Experiences Of 海角社区 Teaching Assistants

This open discussion with a panel of experienced TAs will cover the challenges and opportunities of serving as a Teaching Assistant at Boston College, along with practical strategies for managing the responsibilities of your role.

Experiences Of 海角社区 Teaching Fellows

This open discussion with a panel of experienced TFs will cover the challenges and opportunities of serving as a Teaching Fellow at Boston College, along with practical strategies for managing the responsibilities of your role.

Friday, August 21, 2020, 9:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. | Virtual (via Zoom)

• 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Opening Plenary: Engaging 海角社区 Students
• 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Concurrent Panels I
• 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. Break for lunch
• 12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Concurrent Panels II
• 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions III
• 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.聽Teaching Natural Sciences in the Lab (STEM participants only)
• 4:15 p.m. Conference ends

Please find workshop materials below

11:00 Sessions

Experiences Of 海角社区 Teaching Assistants

This open discussion with a panel of experienced TAs will cover the challenges and opportunities of serving as a Teaching Assistant at Boston College, along with practical strategies for managing the responsibilities of your role.

Experiences Of 海角社区 Teaching Fellows

This open discussion with a panel of experienced TFs will cover the challenges and opportunities of serving as a Teaching Fellow at Boston College, along with practical strategies for managing the responsibilities of your role.

12:45 Sessions

Experiences Of International And Underrepresented Instructors At 海角社区

For instructors who identify as international or belonging to historically underrepresented groups -- who are navigating a university system in a different culture or who don鈥檛 fit their students鈥� assumptions about who a 鈥渢ypical professor鈥� should be -- the classroom can present unique challenges. In this open discussion with a panel of experienced TAs and TFs who identify as international or underrepresented in various ways, we鈥檒l talk about some of those challenges and share strategies for responding to them.

Teaching As An Ally At 海角社区

This open discussion, with a panel of experienced graduate instructors, will focus on the ways instructors from traditionally privileged backgrounds can create classroom spaces that are more attentive to the needs of historically underrepresented students, with a particular focus on how the current national context (regarding COVID, police brutality, and the up-coming federal election) may be shaping students鈥� classroom experience. We will also discuss what it means to be an ally to our colleagues from underrepresented groups and how we can help build more just working and learning environments within the academy.

2:00 Sessions

Troubleshooting Challenging Scenarios For Teaching Assistants

As a TA, you may need to respond to unexpected student comments or other behaviors, grade and provide feedback to students, and manage communication with the primary instructor of the course. In this session, we鈥檒l talk through some typical 鈥渃hallenging鈥� scenarios as well as concerns that might be more particular to our socially distanced and remote classes this Fall. We鈥檒l also leave plenty of time for open discussion, questions, and ideas.

Troubleshooting Challenging Scenarios For Teaching Fellows

Even experienced instructors can sometimes be caught off guard by unexpected student comments or other behaviors, whether in person or virtual. In this session, we鈥檒l talk through some typical 鈥渃hallenging鈥� scenarios as well as concerns that might be more particular to our socially distanced and remote classes this Fall. We鈥檒l also leave plenty of time for open discussion, questions, and ideas.

3:15 Sessions

Teaching Natural Sciences In The Lab (STEM Participants Only)

Science Teaching Assistants generally have more opportunities in the laboratory setting for direct contact with individual students than do instructors who teach in a traditional classroom. In this session, we will present a variety of scenarios that a lab TA might encounter and then discuss the options and resources available for managing each situation.

Friday, August 23, 2019, 8:30 - 2:00 | Higgins 300

• 8:30 a.m. Light Breakfast
• 9:00 a.m. Plenary: Engaging 海角社区 Students
• 10:30 a.m. Concurrent Sessions #1
• 11:50 a.m. Box Lunches & Concurrent Sessions #2
• 1:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions #3

Please find workshop materials below

10:30 Sessions

Interactive Lectures

While lecturing is often an essential part of teaching in Higher Education, students can be most successful when they also have opportunities to participate in more active learning. This session will explore ways to deliver engaging content and make the most of a strong lecture by interweaving it with other types of learning activities.

Lesson Planning

Knowing what concepts and skills to prioritize each day in the classroom can be challenging. This session will help those organizing class sessions or discussion sections think through effective and efficient ways of structuring each lesson to help them best implement their course鈥檚 learning goals.

Teaching Natural Sciences In The Lab

Science Teaching Assistants generally have more opportunities in the laboratory setting for direct contact with individual students than do instructors who teach in a traditional classroom. In this session, we will present a variety of scenarios that a lab TA might encounter and then discuss the options and resources available for managing each situation.

Troubleshooting Challenging Classroom Moments

Even experienced instructors can sometimes be caught off guard by unexpected student comments or other behaviors in the classroom. In this session, we鈥檒l talk through some typical 鈥渃hallenging鈥� scenarios and also leave plenty of time for open discussion, questions, and ideas.

11:50 Sessions

Experiences Of 海角社区 Teaching Assistants Panel

A discussion among Boston College students who have served as Teaching Assistants about the opportunities and challenges of the TA role.

Experiences Of 海角社区 Teaching Fellows Panel

A discussion among Boston College students who have served as Teaching Fellows about the opportunities and challenges of the TF role.

Empowering Student Survivors

As a graduate student instructor, a student may disclose to you that they have survived a sexual assault. Moreover, the disturbingly high rate of sexual assaults on college campuses means that it is safe to assume that survivors are in your classes. In this interactive session participants will become acquainted with their obligations under Title IX, devise a script for receiving student disclosures, and identify strategies for supporting and empowering survivors in the classroom.

Facilitating Classroom Discussions

Classroom discussions are commonly used in higher education, but it is challenging to make discussion productive and engage all students. By the end of this interactive workshop, participants will be able to identify techniques for asking effective questions and devise strategies for managing some common challenges when facilitating discussion.

1:00 Sessions

Experiences Of International Instructors Panel

A discussion among Boston College international students who have served as instructors about their opportunities, challenges, and experiences.

Experiences Of Underrepresented Instructors Panel聽

A discussion among Boston College students who are members of underrepresented groups and have served as instructors about their opportunities, challenges, and experiences.

Recognizing And Responding To Students In Distress聽

Over the last decade the numbers of students arriving on campus with severe psychological problems has steadily increased. This workshop will provide information and skills that will assist TAs and TFs when responding to students who are struggling. Participants will learn: 1) how to recognize students in distress, 2) what instructors can do to support students who are struggling, and 3) where on campus instructors can turn for help when working with a distressed student.

Tips For Grading Effectively And Efficiently

Grading is often believed to be one of the least enjoyable parts of teaching, but it is an incredibly important component of the learning process for our students. In this session, we鈥檒l share ideas for how to more effectively manage your grading load while still providing useful guidance to students about their progress. Although we鈥檒l briefly discuss the planning for grading more typical of a Teaching Fellow role, this session is intended to be most useful for Teaching Assistants who are newer to grading.

Friday, August 24, 2018, 8:30 - 2:00 | Higgins 300

• 8:30 a.m. Light Breakfast
• 9:00 a.m. Plenary: Engaging 海角社区 Students
• 10:30 a.m. Concurrent Sessions #1
• 11:50 a.m. Box Lunches & Concurrent Sessions #2
• 1:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions #3

Please find workshop materials below

10:30 Sessions

Experiences Of International Instructors Panel

A discussion among Boston College international students who have served as instructors about their opportunities, challenges, and experiences.

Experiences Of Underrepresented Instructors Panel聽

A discussion among Boston College students who are members of underrepresented groups and have served as instructors about their opportunities, challenges, and experiences.

Teaching Natural Sciences In The Lab

Science Teaching Assistants generally have more opportunities in the laboratory setting for direct contact with individual students than do instructors who teach in a traditional classroom. In this session, we will present a variety of scenarios that a lab TA might encounter and then discuss the options and resources available for managing each situation.

Troubleshooting Challenging Classroom Moments

Even experienced instructors can sometimes be caught off guard by unexpected student comments or other behaviors in the classroom. In this session, we鈥檒l talk through some typical 鈥渃hallenging鈥� scenarios and also leave plenty of time for open discussion, questions, and ideas.

11:50 Sessions

Experiences Of 海角社区 Teaching Assistants Panel

A discussion among Boston College students who have served as Teaching Assistants about the opportunities and challenges of the TA role.

Experiences Of 海角社区 Teaching Fellows Panel

A discussion among Boston College students who have served as Teaching Fellows about the opportunities and challenges of the TF role.

Gathering And Interpreting Feedback On Your Teaching

Although end-of-semester course evaluations can provide valuable guidance as you think about changes to future classes, they come too late to impact a course in progress. However, there are many simple strategies you can implement on your own to gather feedback during the semester, so you can make positive adjustments as you go. In this session we will review some of these approaches to gathering formative feedback, as well as discuss approaches for interpreting student feedback.

Recognizing And Responding To Students In Distress聽

Over the last decade the numbers of students arriving on campus with severe psychological problems has steadily increased. This workshop will provide information and skills that will assist TAs and TFs when responding to students who are struggling. Participants will learn: 1) how to recognize students in distress, 2) what instructors can do to support students who are struggling, and 3) where on campus instructors can turn for help when working with a distressed student.

1:00 Sessions

Experiences Of International Instructors Panel

A discussion among Boston College international students who have served as instructors about their opportunities, challenges, and experiences.

Experiences Of Underrepresented Instructors Panel聽

A discussion among Boston College students who are members of underrepresented groups and have served as instructors about their opportunities, challenges, and experiences.

Teaching Natural Sciences In The Lab

Science Teaching Assistants generally have more opportunities in the laboratory setting for direct contact with individual students than do instructors who teach in a traditional classroom. In this session, we will present a variety of scenarios that a lab TA might encounter and then discuss the options and resources available for managing each situation.

Troubleshooting Challenging Classroom Moments

Even experienced instructors can sometimes be caught off guard by unexpected student comments or other behaviors in the classroom. In this session, we鈥檒l talk through some typical 鈥渃hallenging鈥� scenarios and also leave plenty of time for open discussion, questions, and ideas.

Friday, August 25, 2017, 8:30 - 1:30 | Higgins 300

• 8:30 a.m. Light Breakfast
• 9:00 a.m. Plenary: Engaging 海角社区 Students
• 10:30 a.m. Concurrent Sessions #1
• 11:30 a.m. Concurrent Sessions #2
• 12:40 p.m. Lunchtime Sessions

Please find concurrent session materials below.

10:30 Sessions

Implementing The 7 Principles: Technology As The Lever

As we continue to be bombarded by new and upgraded technology tools, it is vital to remember to be purposeful in why we choose various tools and how we use them to facilitate student learning. Taking the聽聽as a framework, this session will introduce you to the tools available at 海角社区 that can support the 7 principles and provide you with effective strategies to identify and integrate technology into any course.

Identity Matters In The Classroom

As college classrooms welcome an increasingly diverse student body, instructors are faced with the challenge of creating learning environments that give all of our students鈥攏o matter their background or identity鈥攖he opportunity to succeed. This session will address the factors that can impact student success and discuss strategies for creating inclusive classrooms. We will also touch on the ways our own identities as instructors can matter in the classroom and how we navigate students鈥� varied reactions to us.

Teaching Natural Sciences In The Lab

Science Teaching Assistants generally have more opportunities in the laboratory setting for direct contact with individual students than do instructors who teach in a traditional classroom. In this session, we will present a variety of scenarios that a lab TA might encounter and then discuss the options and resources available for managing each situation.

Representing Your Teaching On The Job Market

If you intend to pursue a teaching career in higher education, it is never too soon to start thinking about how you will represent your teaching on the job market. In this session we will talk about the materials that are most often requested by search committees and strategies for showcasing your strengths as an instructor, whether or not you have had much teaching experience.

11:30 Sessions

Teaching Assistant Panel

A discussion among Boston College students who have served as Teaching Assistants about the opportunities and challenges of the TA role.

Teaching Fellow Panel

A discussion among Boston College students who have served as Teaching Fellows about the opportunities and challenges of the TF role.

Facilitating Classroom Discussions

Classroom discussions are commonly used in higher education, but it is easy for the conversations to be derailed, or the discussions to 鈥榞et out of hand鈥�. This interactive workshop will focus on the strategies that can be employed during a class discussion to help students have the opportunity to 聽maximise the shared learning experience.

Preparing For A Teaching Demonstration

As part of the application process for academic jobs, you will likely be asked to give a teaching demonstration. This workshop will include a discussion of what the search committee is hoping to see and concrete strategies for creating and delivering an effective teaching demonstration.

12:40 Sessions

Tips For Grading Effectively And Efficiently

Grading is often believed to be one of the least enjoyable parts of our roles as instructors, but it is also an incredibly important component of the learning process for our students. In this session we鈥檒l share ideas for how to more efficiently manage your grading load while still providing useful guidance to students about their progress.

Troubleshooting Challenging Classroom Moments

Even experienced instructors can sometimes be caught off guard by unexpected student comments or other behaviors in the classroom. In this session we鈥檒l talk through some typical 鈥渃hallenging鈥� scenarios and also leave plenty of time for open discussion, questions and ideas.

Experiences Of International Instructors Panel

A discussion among Boston College international students who have served as instructors about their opportunities, challenges, and experiences.

Experiences Of Underrepresented Instructors Panel

A discussion among Boston College students who are members of underrepresented groups and have served as instructors about their opportunities, challenges, and experiences.

Friday, August 26, 2016, 8:30 - 1:30 | Fulton 511

• 8:30 a.m. Light Breakfast
• 9:00 a.m. Plenary: Tom Mogan, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students
• 10:00 a.m. Concurrent Sessions #1
• 11:15 a.m. Concurrent Sessions #2
• 12:30 p.m. Lunchtime Sessions

Please find concurrent session materials below.

10:00 Sessions

Advice For Teaching Assistants

This open discussion with a panel of experienced TAs will cover the challenges and opportunities of serving as a Teaching Assistant at Boston College, along with practical strategies for managing the responsibilities of your role. 聽

Advice For Teaching Fellows

This open discussion with a panel of experienced TFs will cover the challenges and opportunities of serving as a Teaching Fellow at Boston College, along with practical strategies for managing the responsibilities of your role. 聽

Teaching Natural Sciences In The Lab

Science Teaching Assistants generally have more opportunities in the laboratory setting for direct contact with individual students than do instructors who teach in a traditional classroom. Lab TAs need to exercise good judgment when interacting socially with students, handling students with special requirements, or dealing with attendance and grading issues. In this session, we will present a variety of scenarios that a lab TA might encounter and then discuss the options and resources available for managing each situation.

Facilitating Better Class Discussions

Whether you鈥檙e faced with a sea of silent students or trying to get a runaway conversation back on topic, leading class discussion can be one of the most challenging鈥攁nd enjoyable鈥攑arts of your work as an instructor. In this session, we鈥檒l talk about the components of a successful discussion and consider concrete strategies for getting a conversation started and keeping it on track.

11:15 Sessions

Using Technology To Build Classroom Community

Although Sherry Turkle and others have warned about the ways that technology can lead to social isolation, educational technologies can also be used strategically in order to build a greater sense of community among your students. In this lively session, we鈥檒l look at a number of technologies that can be used in and outside the classroom in order to encourage students鈥� collaborative engagement with the materials and each other.

Identity Matters In The Classroom

As college classrooms welcome an increasingly diverse student body, we as instructors are faced with the challenge of creating learning environments that give all our students--no matter their background or identity--the opportunity to succeed. In this session, we will talk about the factors that can impact student success and discuss strategies for creating inclusive classrooms, including strategies for welcoming students with disabilities. We will also touch on the ways our own identities as instructors can matter in the classroom and how we can navigate students鈥� varied reactions to us.

Tips For Grading Effectively And Efficiently

Grading is often believed to be one of the least enjoyable parts of our roles as instructors, but it is also an incredibly important component of the learning process for our students. Learning the skills of effective grading can help you give more meaningful feedback to students so they can take more ownership of their learning process. In this session we鈥檒l share ideas for how to more efficiently manage your grading load while still providing useful guidance to students about their progress.

Teaching One-On-One

Many TAs and TFs find that some of their most important teaching work happens when they鈥檙e working one-on-one with students in office hours or review sessions. In this session we鈥檒l talk about your responsibilities as an instructor in those one-to-one contexts (and what makes them different from a tutoring session) and strategies for helping students get the most out of their time with you.

12:30 Sessions

Representing Your Teaching On The Job Market

Whether you鈥檙e entering the classroom for the first time or starting your final year at 海角社区, if you intend to pursue a teaching career in higher education, it鈥檚 never too soon to start thinking about how you鈥檒l represent your teaching on the job market. In this session we鈥檒l talk about the kinds of materials that are most often requested by search committees and strategies for showcasing your strengths as an instructor even when you haven鈥檛 had much teaching experience.

Troubleshooting Challenging Classroom Moments

Even experienced instructors can sometimes be caught off guard by unexpected student comments or other behaviors in the classroom. In this session we鈥檒l talk through some typical 鈥渃hallenging鈥� scenarios and also leave plenty of time for open discussion of participants鈥� questions and ideas.

Experiences Of Underrepresented Instructors At 海角社区

For instructors who identify as belonging to historically underrepresented groups -- who don鈥檛 fit their students鈥� assumptions about who a 鈥渢ypical professor鈥� should be -- the classroom can present unique challenges. In this open discussion with a panel of experienced TAs and TFs who identify as underrepresented in various ways, we鈥檒l talk about some of those challenges and share strategies for responding to them.

Experiences Of International Instructors At 海角社区

Whether they are brand new to the U.S. classroom or long-term participants in U.S. higher education, international instructors can face particular challenges in the classroom. In this session, a panel of experienced international TAs and TFs at Boston College will talk about their own experiences in the classroom, what has surprised them most about American students, and their own strategies for navigating teaching at 海角社区.