GTA/GIA Orientation Workshops

All graduate students who will be newly appointed Graduate Teaching or Instructional Assistants (TAs) are required to participate in the university-wide TA Orientation (TAO) prior to teaching their first semester. TA Orientation is an important part of the University’s Graduate TA/IA Training Program and will help to ensure your success as a TA at UofSC.

GTA/GIA Orientation Workshops

All graduate teaching and instructional assistants who have any kind of instructional or teaching assistance responsibilities must participate in Graduate TA/IA Orientation. These workshops provide concise, helpful information, resources and guidance on developing your teaching skills as you prepare to teach or assist your professor of record.

GTA/GIA Orientations consist of four parts:

Part A is in-person and requires advance registration.
Part B is synchronous online (virtual online Blackboard sessions) and requires advance registration.
Parts C & D include asynchronous online modules and can be done at any time prior to the start of classes.

Students can register and participate in the Part A & B components in any order, but must complete all four parts for successful completion of GTA/GIA Orientation.

A GTA/GIA Orientation Information Sheet will be provided to registrants with more detailed instructions regarding all 4 parts upon registration.

NOTE: Deadline for GTA/GIA Orientation registration is Friday, December 31, 2021. Advance registration is required for parts A & B.

Students must make every effort to attend Parts A and B on the dates listed below. GTA/GIAs cannot assume their teaching responsibilities without having completed the Orientation. Any student who misses GTA/GIA Orientation must contact Michelle Hardee, GTA/GIA Training Program Manager at hardeem@mailbox.sc.edu at 803-777-1975.

Spring 2022 GTA/GIA Orientations
	Modality	Registration	Topics
Part A	In Person	Required	Being a GTA/GIA at UofSC
Part B	Online Synchronous	Required	Concurrent Sessions – Experienced GTA/GIA Panels
Part C	Asynchronous Online Modules	No	Policies and Campus Resources
Part D	Asynchronous Online Videos	No	GTA/GIA Role Tracks

Spring 2022 Orientation Dates and Times
Date	Wednesday, January 5	Thursday, January 6
Location	Gambrell 153	Gambrell 153
Part A In Person Advance Registration Required	9 am - 12 noon In Person	1 - 4 pm In Person
Part B Online Advance Registration Required	1 - 4 pm Blackboard Collaborate (link to be provided)	9 am - 12 noon Blackboard Collaborate (link to be provided)

Workshop Components Descriptions

Part A

Being a GTA/GIA at UofSC
In Person - Gambrell 153
REGISTRATION REQUIRED

UofSC policies (grading, attendance, etc.)
Pre-semester Checklist for new GTA/GIAs, Responsibilities/Expectations of new GTA/GIAs
Professionalism
Interacting with Students, Dealing with disruptive behavior, COVID policies update
Networking / Meet & Greet

Part B

Concurrent Sessions: Q&A with Veteran GTA Panels from Schools/Colleges
Synchronous Online
REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Experienced GTA/GIAs Best Practices in Grading
Leading and Managing Lab Sections
Leading Discussions in Class and Online
Recitations or Problem-Based Sessions
Office Hours and One-on-One Tutoring

Part C

Policies and Campus Resources
Asynchronous Online Modules

Each topic includes a 10-20 minute video with quiz – completion of all modules required
Content links hosted through the TA Orientation Blackboard Organization - access will be available after January 2, 2022.
1. FERPA
2. Discrimination & Harassment
3. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
4. Disability Services
5. University Health Services
6. Academic Integrity
7. SAFE Team/Student Conduct
8. USCPD
9. CTE Resources
10. Graduate School Resources

Part D

GTA Role Tracks
Asynchronous Online Videos

Requirements for Part D include watching three videos along with completion of included reflection prompt. Each video (topics listed below) are 15-20 minutes. GTA/GIAs should choose at least 1 video from the GTA/GIA’s assigned track (#1 - #5 below), and then any 2 other videos of the GTA/GIA’s choice.
Content links hosted through the TA Orientation Blackboard Organization - access will be available January 2, 2022.
Graduate Directors, Department Chairs, and Professors of Record are recommended to advise their GTA/GIAs as to which tracks and videos to watch.

Leading lab sections
Recitations/Problem-solving
Student engagement
Managing groups/discussions
Grading

Leading good discussions
Managing groups
Getting students to read
Student engagement
Grading writing/feedback

Interacting w/students
Encouraging learning/application
Guiding problem-solving (recitation templates)
How students learn

Teaching Persona
Engaging Students
How students learn
Using BB Collaborate and Breakout sessions
How to lead a class/lesson planning/class time mgmt.
Expectations and advice

Grading effectively & efficiently in general (including writing)
Giving feedback
Expectations, working & communicating with your professor
How to get started using Blackboard, navigating, tips and tricks
Grading in Blackboard
Blackboard Tests & Assignments
Using BB Collaborate and Breakout sessions
Useful online tech tools

Engaging students, building rapport
Teaching persona, teaching effectively for inexperienced TAs
How to lead a class/lesson planning/class time mgmt.
Time management/balance
How students learn
Tips for teaching online
Using online tech tools
Good pedagogical practices
Active learning strategies
Tips and recommendations for graduate students new to teaching

PLEASE NOTE Regarding your registration, confirmation of registration will be by email within a week of registration receipt. If you have any questions or problems, please contact Michelle Hardee, GTA/GIA Training Program Manager at hardeem@mailbox.sc.edu.

Register for Spring 2022 TA Orientation

A listserv for graduate TA/IAs across USC, TA-Connect is your source for up-to-date information on university-wide events and opportunities that support graduate student teaching. Weekly emails provide information and news related to GTA/IAs including: upcoming CTE workshops and special events, GRAD 701 sessions, teaching-related programming from campus partners, and other helpful teaching resources and websites that may be of use to GTA/IAs now or in the future.

All international graduate students who will be newly appointed TAs/IAs must additionally participate in an International TA Training speaking assessment practice workshop (ITA Workshop) and subsequently have their English proficiency assessed (ITA Assessment) through the English Programs for Internationals (EPI) office prior to the start of classes. For questions regarding International Teaching Assistant (ITA) training and assessment, English speaking/writing proficiency requirements or courses, or International Student Orientations, please contact the following:

• International Teaching Assistant (ITA) training workshop and assessment dates, workshop agenda and microlesson assignment, IELTS and iBT score exemptions, or other ITA questions: ita@epi.sc.edu, 803-777-3867, or visit their ITA Workshop and Assessment page.

• English for Foreign Students (ENFS) requirements, courses, and other questions: enfs@epi.sc.edu or visit the English for Foreign Students page

• International Student Services (ISS) Orientation dates and other information: iss@sc.edu, 803-777-7461, or visit their New International Student Information page.

Center for Teaching Excellence