Semester:
Offered:
SESSIONS 1 and 2 HAVE BEEN MOVED ONLINE. ZOOM INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED TO REGISTERED STUDENTS.
This course is an introduction to the skills and frameworks necessary for success as a graduate student teaching fellow (TF) or teaching assistant (TA). After completing this 6 hour introduction, students will be able to:
- describe core pedagogy concepts including backwards design, formative assessment, active learning, alignment, and inclusive teaching
- identify ways these core concepts may influence their work as graduate student TFs/TAs
- demonstrate the ability to apply these concepts to their expected teaching and course-related responsibilities
- identify classroom management and interpersonal approaches that minimize conflict and maximize student belonging and performance
Course Director:
Bradley Coleman, PhD
Director, HMS Curriculum Fellows Program
bradley_coleman@hms.harvard.edu
Additional Instructors:
Max Wolf, PhD
Curriculum Fellow in the Department of Biomedical Informatics
Maxim_Wolf@hms.harvard.edu
John Peters, PhD
Curriculum Fellow in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology
john_peters@hms.harvard.edu
This course consists of three 2-hour class sessions. Sessions 1 and 2 will be held on Zoom. Session 3 will meet in TMEC on the HMS Longwood campus. Students must agree to attend all sessions in order to enroll.
SESSION 1 - Wednesday January 19th 3-5PM (Zoom)
This session will help you set goals for your work as a TF/TA and introduce you to simple strategies that will maximize your chances for success. We will also discuss the importance of creating an equitable classroom and consider ways to do this in your own teaching.
SESSION 2 - Friday January 21st 3-5PM (Zoom)
This session provides a brief introduction to well-established best practices in teaching. Concepts and techniques like active learning, backwards design, learning objectives, and alignment will all be discussed and students will apply them to their own teaching.
SESSION 3 - Monday January 24th 3-5PM (TMEC)
Session 3 will begin with a microteaching exercise to provide students practice and an opportunity to apply the concepts from sessions 1 and 2. Additional time will be spent on best practices for asking and answering student questions: a critical skill for most TAs/TFs.
This nanocourse is open to anyone serving as a TA or TF in a Spring 2022 course. It is required for students who plan to enroll in MEDSCI 312qc. If you have questions about your eligibility for either course, please contact bradley_coleman@hms.harvard.edu.