Preparing to teach | GPTK728

This interactive workshop builds on TA orientation by introducing practical strategies for planning and facilitating effective, engaging learning experiences. Participants will explore how teaching context shapes instructional decisions, learn to write clear and measurable learning outcomes, and examine how lesson activities can be aligned with those outcomes. The workshop also introduces active learning techniques that can be adapted to tutorials, labs, discussion sections, and classroom teaching. 

This session is open to TAs from all faculties and roles but is especially relevant for those in instructional roles such as tutorial, lab, or studio leaders. If your TA role primarily involves grading, we recommend attending the Grading and Feedback workshop offered later in the semester.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: 

- Identify key contextual factors that influence teaching and learning in their instructional setting.

- Write clear, learner-centered, and measurable learning outcomes.

- Apply constructive alignment principles to structure a lesson or learning activity.

- Choose and adapt active learning techniques appropriate to their teaching context.

Ryuichi Suzuki