Spring TA Orientation

The Spring TA Orientation for first-time Teaching Assistants will be held asynchronously and in person on January 16-19th, 2024. 

The TA Orientation is mandatory for all first-time teaching assistants of the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Whiting School of Engineering, and Peabody Institute.

The mandatory plenary session and additional training recordings will be offered asynchronously via Canvas.  TAs are asked to complete these prior to the start of your TA assignment. TAs are also encouraged to attend the in-person trainng on January 18th, 2024.

Registeration:  Will open on or before, Tuesday, December 19th, 2023.

Registration 

All Teaching Assistants should register for access to the TA Orientation Canvas site--no later than Friday, 1/12/24. Access to the content in Canvas is granted after completing the form found inside the Canvas training site.

Access to the training site will remain open during the spring semester.


Important Dates

  • Tuesday, January 16th, 2024: TAs will be added to the the Canvas Training site for the TA Orientation. 
     
  • Week of Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 (asynchronous): The mandatory plenary session and additional optional recordings will be offered asynchronously and are encouraged to be completed prior to the start of your TA assignment.
     
  • Thursday, January 18th, 2024 (in person): Optional in person training held on the Homewood Campus.  Details below. 

Session Details

TAs who complete the above registration will receive access to the TA Orientation training site in Canvas.

The Canvas training site will consist of the following:

  • Opening Plenary Session (asynchronous): The opening plenary session will be pre-recorded and available asynchronously. The session will discuss a variety of teaching-related issues, including academic ethics, disabilities, academic support, and suggestions to help you become an effective teacher. It is mandatory that you view the plenary session in its entirety but you may do so at your own convenience (please aim to view by the start of the semester).  You will retain access to the training site throughout the semester.
     
  • Breakout Sessions (asynchronous): A series of breakout sessions on various pedagogical topics will be pre-recorded by Homewood faculty and staff which are available to view asynchronously. These sessions are optional but recommended and can be viewed at your own convenience.
     
  • Teaching Assistant Manual and other resources: The Teaching Assistant Manual will be available for download—along with additional links to helpful resources. The manual lists general teaching resources available at Hopkins – e.g., TA-specific services offered by the library, services offered to students with disabilities, faculty responsibilities in working with such students, etc.

In person, additional and optional: 

Date: January, 18th, 2024

Time: 8:30 AM to noon

Location: Homewood Campus, Hodson Hall 2nd floor, Room 210

Time

Session Title/Activity

Location

8:30 AM 9:00 AM

Check-in & Light Breakfast Served

Hodson Atrium/Open Hall on 2nd Floor

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM

Welcome Introduction & Faculty Expectations

Hodson 210

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM

Break - Coffee/Tea/Breakfast Items

Hodson Atrium/Open Hall on 2nd Floor

10:00 AM – 10:45 AM

Active Learning - Ensuring Inclusivity & Engagment

Hodson 210

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM

Break - Coffee/Tea/Breakfast Items

Hodson Atrium/Open Hall on 2nd Floor

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM

Using Canvas as a TA

Hodson 210

11:45 AM - noon

Q&A and Closing Remarks

Hodson 210


Acknowledgements

We wish to acknowledge the internal team from the Center for Teaching Excellence and Innovation - Teaching Academy that makes this training possible:

  • Allon Brann, Teacher Support Specialist
  • Kelly Clark, Director, Teaching Academy
  • Caroline Egan, Program Manager 
  • Beth Hals, Sr. Instructional Technologist
  • Haley Knapp, Events Coordinator
  • Yvonne Moore-Jones, Program Coordinator
  • Michael J. Reese, Jr., Associate Dean and Director
  • Richard Shingles, Lecturer, Biology and Curriculum Design Specialist

For more information on the Teaching Academy program at Johns Hopkins University and other resources for graduate students and post-docs interested in teaching, please visit: https://ctei.jhu.edu/teaching-academy