Supporting Graduate Assistants in Learning and Teaching Physics and Astronomy.

In this talk we will be sharing learning outcomes and lessons learned from co-teaching a 1 credit, pass/not-pass course. The course PHYS 601 is “Introduction to Teaching Physics and Astronomy”, designed for teaching assistants and tutors of undergraduate courses. PHYS 601 introduces the methods and techniques of teaching and tutoring physics. Discussion and workshop formats are employed. The discussions include in person, classroom conversation and online posts based on prompts from the primary text. The workshop component of the course uses micro-teaching and micro-lab activities. Assessment of the artifacts (such as videos) produced by students in the class include peer feedback. Dr. Alfredo Sanchez implemented Periscope Lessons in the course.

Dr. John Shaw supports the group micro-lab activities and has a wealth of experience working with teaching assistants and tutors serving large service courses.

Do you have a similar course in your department ? We hope to compare notes and strategies for preparing and supporting teaching assistants and tutors.