TAPcast

In this episode, we give a preview of an upcoming workshop on engaging a quiet classroom. For more information about our workshops or to register, visit tap.rutgers.edu

In this episode, we talk to Corrine Yap, a Ph.D. candidate in Mathematics, about the EQUIP App: a program designed to help instructors identify their implicit biases in the classroom. Resources mentioned in this episode: EQUIP App: https://www.equip.ninja/ AMS Blog Post on EQUIP: https://blogs.ams.org/inclusionexclusion/2019/02/27/inclusive-instructional-analytics/ AMS Blog Post on Inclusive Practices: https://blogs.ams.org/inclusionexclusion/2019/08/30/inclusive-practices-syllabus-and-day-one/ Corrine Yap's Website: http://sites.math.rutgers.edu/~cy257/

In today's episode, Dr. Branch, the Vice Chancellor for the new Division of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement, shares advice for graduate TAs on making their classrooms more inclusive. We also discuss ongoing projects in the division as well as some of the challenges of the transition from faculty life to administrative life. More information about her division can be found at diversity.rutgers.edu, and more information about the TA Project can be found at tap.rutgers.edu.

In this episode of TAPcast, host Chloe Wawrzyniak shares some tips for using language to create a more inclusive classroom environment and recommends some resources for learning more.

In this episode, host Chloe Wawrzyniak shares 5 tips for time management, organization, and balancing our many responsibilities as graduate student TAs. You can find the tips and related resources in our show notes at tap.rutgers.edu/tapcast.php .

In this episode of TAPcast, the TA Project team answers your questions about being a TA. Chloe Wawrzyniak, Janna Dominick, and Zoë Kitchel answer the following questions: Every day, the same student comes to class over 30 minutes late. Is there anything I can do? What is something you wish you knew before you started teaching? Have you ever been unprepared for class and how did you handle it? Up until this point, I’ve always been in a classroom as a student. Now I’ve been asked to teach a class and I don’t feel confident that I know everything about the topic. How do you handle the transition from learner to teacher and feeling confident to teach? A student came to me at the end of the semester wanting extra credit or to re-submit an assignment for a grade boost. What should I do? How do you balance your TA and research duties, and your time that you put towards each? Is there a schedule that works for you? Find more information at tap.rutgers.edu/tapcast.php

In this episode, Ph.D. candidate Kevin Sigerman discusses the role of the instructor. We talk about examples of roles that instructors take on as well as strategies for balancing those various jobs. For more information, check out our show notes at tap.rutgers.edu/tapcast.php

In this episode, Ph.D. candidate Ariel Otruba discusses her strategies for incorporating storytelling into our classrooms. She focuses on the assignments she has created around storytelling, including how students have reacted to them and how the assignments have evolved over time. For more information, check out our show notes at tap.rutgers.edu/tapcast.php

A few brief announcements from the TA Project team: We're taking a break for the holidays. New episodes will return in mid-January. When we return, new episodes will now release once a month. In the spring, we'll do an episode answering your questions, so keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter for how to submit your questions. Happy Holidays from all of us here at the TA Project!

In this episode of TAPcast, we sit down with Neeta Yousaf and Amy Gage, PhD students in Food Science and Ecology, respectively. Continuing the conversation about General Biology at Rutgers from the last episode, Neeta and Amy share their experiences being TAs for the course. Additionally, Neeta shares some insights from her experience as the current head TA. We discuss the role of TAs in the course, including weekly training, expectations of the students during their class meetings, and expectations of the TA before, during, and after class. At the end, Neeta and Amy share some advice for new TAs and offer suggestions on balancing teaching and research. For more information, checkout tap.rutgers.edu/tapcast.php

In this episode of TAPcast, we talk with Dr. Dan Stern Cardinale and Dr. Christy Beal about the recent course transformation of Intro Biology. They tell me about the course structure both pre- and post-transformation, as well as the factors that provided the push for change. I ask them about how active learning is incorporated in the new model and how that is reflected in the course assessments. Finally, they share some insights and advice for other programs looking to revamp their mega-courses. For more information, check out our website tap.rutgers.edu/tapcast.php.

In this episode of TAPcast, we talk with Eva Erber and Eilis Kierans, PhD students in the German and Italian Departments respectively, about their experiences teaching language classes. After describing some of the activities they use, they tell us about some of the differences and similarities between teaching in their native language or another language. Finally, they both offer some advice for new TAs. For more information, check out our website tap.rutgers.edu/tapcast.php.

In this episode of TAPcast, Darcey Searles shares some teaching tips for TAs. At the time of the recording, Darcey was a PhD student studying Communication. As of the release of this episode, Darcey has completed her doctoral studies. Throughout the episode, Darcey shares some of her teaching experience such as strategies for starting the semester on the right foot. She shares some of her syllabus policies and the philosophies behind them. Finally, we talk about balancing teaching with research and she shares some of her tips for new TAs. For more information, check out our website tap.rutgers.edu/tapcast.php.

In this episode of TAPcast, we talk with Matt Charnley and Sandra Medina about their experiences with active learning. We discuss some potential difficulties in using active learning techniques as well as their strategies for overcoming those challenges. They share some of the activities they've incorporated into their classes that have gone well. Finally, they share some advice for new TAs who want to try using active learning. For more information, check out our show notes at tap.rutgers.edu/tapcast.php .

In this episode of TAPcast, we talk with Associate Teaching Professor Michael Weingart from the Department of Mathematics. We discuss selected math courses for non-majors and his efforts to create hybrid and flipped models of those courses. Specifically, I ask him about the pros and cons of such approaches and what goes into creating them. Finally, he offers some advice for those interested in creating flipped or hybrid courses. You can find more information and our show notes on our website: tap.rutgers.edu/tapcast.php.

In this episode of TAPcast, we talk to Kristina Howansky, a current PhD candidate in the School of Graduate Studies at Rutgers University studying Social Psychology. Our conversation focuses on her strategies for and experiences with classroom discussions about controversial topics. I ask her about strategies for setting the right tone early in the course, ways to moderate the discussion with as little bias from personal feelings as possible, and tips for helping students to feel comfortable sharing their personal experiences. We also talk about diversity in the classroom and how that can affect these difficult conversations, as well as what these conversations look like in a hybrid course. Finally, Kristina tells us about getting students engaged and motivated though growth mindsets and comedy, such as her “potato project.” You can find more information and our show notes on our website: http://tap.rutgers.edu/tapcast.php.

In this inaugural episode of TAPcast, we hear from Senior Associate Dean Barbara E. Bender, the Director of the TA Project. We talk about what the TA Project is and how it got started. We discuss how it has evolved and what it looks like today. Finally, we spend some time talking about the necessity of training for graduate student TAs. You can find more information and our show notes on our website: http://tap.rutgers.edu/tapcast.php.

TAPcast is an educational podcast created by the TA Project based at the School of Graduate Studies at Rutgers University–New Brunswick. Professors, graduate students, administrators, and other members of the Rutgers educational community discuss issues regarding pedagogy in the contemporary classroom. Subscribe and learn more about current trends in university instruction, hear creative tips about managing your time in and out of the classroom, and discover resources for expanding your pedagogical repertoire