Difference between revisions of "Music Department TA Training"

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== Program of the Workshop ==
 
== Program of the Workshop ==
  
=== April 29, 2017 (Braun 105 and 106)===
+
=== May 1, 2020 (Zoom)===
* '''09:00am - 09:30am:''' Breakfast
+
* '''09:15am - 10:20am:''' Introductions / Overview of TA work and policies / Reflection on teaching goals
* '''09:30am - 10:30am:''' Workshop overview, brainstorming a teaching statement, and [[Music_Department_TA_Training#Teaching_Info.2FResources_in_Braun_and_CCRMA|Teaching info/resources in Braun and CCRMA]]
+
* '''10:30am - 12:00pm:''' Braun teaching demos
* '''10:30am - 12:15pm:''' Teaching workshop in Braun
+
* '''12:00pm - 1:00pm:''' Lunch break offline
* '''12:15pm - 01:30pm:''' Lunch break
+
* '''1:00pm - 1:45pm:''' Round-table discussion/Panel: Instructor expectations and tips
* '''01:30pm - 03:15pm:''' Teaching workshop in Braun
+
* '''2:00pm - 3:00pm:''' CCRMA teaching demos
* '''03:30pm - 04:45pm:''' Round table with recent graduates and faculty 1: instructor expectations and tips
+
* '''3:10pm - 04:00pm:''' Closing reflection on effective pedagogy and inclusion in the classroom
* '''04:45pm - 05:30pm:''' Round table with recent graduates and faculty 2: overview of the academic job market
+
* '''06:00pm:''' Food at CCRMA + Party
+
  
=== April 30 (CCRMA Classroom) ===
+
== Teaching in Braun and CCRMA ==
* '''09:00am - 09:30am:''' Breakfast
+
* '''09:30am - 10:30am:''' [[Music_Department_TA_Training#Teaching_Info.2FResources_at_Stanford|Teaching info/resources at Stanford]], and [http://gocanvas.stanford.edu/for-instructors/ understanding Canvas]
+
* '''10:30am - 12:15pm:''' Teaching workshop at CCRMA
+
* '''12:15pm - 12:45pm:''' Diversity and Inclusion in Academia
+
* '''12:45pm - 1:15pm:''' Q&A session - end of the workshop
+
  
== Teaching Info/Resources in Braun and CCRMA ==
+
* The [https://stanford.app.box.com/s/i6wc81avj7yxlrgwonjv2rvsuuc5gs5b Department of Music Graduate Handbook] contains useful information for TAs regarding payroll, requirements, etc.
 
+
* The [https://music.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/gradhndbk_1516_v1.docx Department of Music Graduate Handbook] contains useful information for TAs regarding payroll, requirements, etc.
+
  
 
=== Braun ===
 
=== Braun ===
  
 +
* Scope of courses and teaching requirements
 
* Undergraduate course requirements for music majors: https://music.stanford.edu/academics/undergraduates/current/studies-programs-in-music
 
* Undergraduate course requirements for music majors: https://music.stanford.edu/academics/undergraduates/current/studies-programs-in-music
* Scope of courses and teaching requirements
 
 
* "Writing in the Major" courses: https://undergrad.stanford.edu/tutoring-support/hume-center/writing/writing-major
 
* "Writing in the Major" courses: https://undergrad.stanford.edu/tutoring-support/hume-center/writing/writing-major
* Strategies for success
 
 
* Keys for the graduate student lounge and copy room (230)
 
* Keys for the graduate student lounge and copy room (230)
 
* Piano locations, printers/copy machines/scanners, audiovisual cables and remotes
 
* Piano locations, printers/copy machines/scanners, audiovisual cables and remotes
 +
* Scheduling rooms and office hours
 
* Important departmental contacts and resources
 
* Important departmental contacts and resources
* Forms and resources: https://music.stanford.edu/intranet/forms-resources
 
  
 
=== CCRMA ===
 
=== CCRMA ===
  
 
* TAing Tips for CCRMA Courses
 
* TAing Tips for CCRMA Courses
* Cables/Gears
+
* Cables/Gears, Audio/Video Equipment, Adaptor Closet
* Audio/Video Equipment
+
* Scheduling rooms and office hours
  
== Round Table 1: Instructor Expectations and Tips ==
+
== Stanford TA resources and requirements ==
  
'''Panelists'''
+
=== General Resources ===
  
* Anna Schultz, Associate Professor, Musicology
+
* [https://oae.stanford.edu/video-resource-teaching-assistants Video on Major Stanford policies and practices every TA should know]
* Amanda Cannata, PhD, Senior Product Manager at GuideSpark
+
* Using [https://axess.sahr.stanford.edu/ Axess] and [http://gocanvas.stanford.edu/ Canvas]
* Giancarlo Aquilanti, Senior Lecturer, Composition and Theory
+
* Recommended [https://teachingcommons.stanford.edu/ta-support/ta-orientation Stanford TA Orientation] (Fall 2020 date TBA)
* Eoin Callery, PhD, Composition Alumnus
+
* Julius Smith, Associate Professor, CCRMA
+
* Gina Collecchia, Senior Software Engineer, Audio/DSP at Jaunt VR
+
* Priyanka Shekar, Program Director, Real Industry
+
  
Video available after the workshop.
+
=== Required Trainings ===
  
== Round Table 2: Overview of the Academic Job Market ==
+
* Sexual Harassment Training: Register in STARS SHP-2020 [https://harass.stanford.edu/training/course-non-supervisors-academic-personnel-and-post-docs]
 +
* Mandated Reporter Training: sign acknowledgement form in Axess: [https://hr.stanford.edu/processes/mandated-reporter]
  
'''Panelists'''
+
If, while you're TAing, you encounter a situation and you're not sure what to do, there are resources at [https://harass.stanford.edu/ Harass.Stanford.Edu]
  
* Anna Schultz, Associate Professor, Musicology
+
=== Improving as a TA ===
* Amanda Cannata, PhD, Senior Product Manager at GuideSpark
+
* Giancarlo Aquilanti, Senior Lecturer, Composition and Theory
+
* Eoin Callery, PhD, Composition Alumnus
+
* Julius Smith, Associate Professor, CCRMA
+
* Gina Collecchia, Senior Software Engineer, Audio/DSP at Jaunt VR
+
* Priyanka Shekar, Program Director, Real Industry
+
  
Video available after the workshop.
+
Consider getting help from the [https://vptl.stanford.edu/ Vice Provost for Teaching & Learning] (VPTL). They have teaching reflection and feedback programs [https://vptl.stanford.edu/node/1087 VPTL Assess Your Teaching] This is extremely valuable, especially if you are considering a career in education and/or academia, regardless of if you are new to teaching at Stanford or have been teaching for a while.
  
== Teaching Info/Resources at Stanford ==
+
Appointments are also available through [https://ctl.stanford.edu/ Center for Teaching and Learning] (CTL). They can arrange for you to get midterm feedback from your students.
 +
[https://ctl.stanford.edu/contact-us/faculty-services CTL Midterm Feedback]
  
=== General Resources ===
+
Find more teaching development opportunities: [https://teachingcommons.stanford.edu/ta-support/grad-teaching-stanford Graduate Teaching Commons - Grad Teaching Workshops and Resources]
  
* [https://oae.stanford.edu/video-resource-teaching-assistants Video on Major Stanford policies and practices every TA should know]
+
=== International Teaching Assistants ===
* [https://vptl.stanford.edu/ Vice Provost for Teaching & Learning]
+
 
* [https://harass.stanford.edu/training/course-non-supervisory-staff General Information on Sexual Harassment]
+
* [https://language.stanford.edu/programs/efs/languages/english-foreign-students/screening-international-teaching-assistants English Screening of International Teaching Assistants]
 +
* Maintaining a Legal Status: ITIN vs. SSN
 +
* Visit the [https://bechtel.stanford.edu Bechtel International Center] for more information on issues for International students
 +
 
 +
== Round Table: Instructor Expectations and Tips ==
 +
 
 +
'''Panelists'''
 +
 
 +
* Giancarlo Aquilanti (current instructor)
 +
* Elena Georgieva (current instructor, former TA)
 +
* Mike Kinney (current student, former TA)
 +
* Elea Mclaughlin (current TA)
 +
 
 +
== Student-Centered Teaching Resources ==
 +
 
 +
=== Student Learning Resources ===
 
* [https://undergrad.stanford.edu/tutoring-support/hume-center Hume Center for Writing and Speaking]
 
* [https://undergrad.stanford.edu/tutoring-support/hume-center Hume Center for Writing and Speaking]
 
* [https://undergrad.stanford.edu/tutoring-support/academic-skills-coaching Academic Skills Coaching]
 
* [https://undergrad.stanford.edu/tutoring-support/academic-skills-coaching Academic Skills Coaching]
* Using [https://axess.sahr.stanford.edu/ Axess] and [http://gocanvas.stanford.edu/ Canvas]
+
* Music department [https://music.stanford.edu/intranet/forms-resources forms and resources]
  
=== Required Trainings ===
+
=== Resources for Inclusive Classrooms ===
 +
 
 +
* [https://vptl.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/2019-05/First%20Day%20Practices%20for%20TAs.pdf First Day Practices for TAs (from VPTL)]
 +
* [https://vptl.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/2019-05/First%20Day%20Practices%20for%20Instructors%20Handout.pdf First Day Practices for Instructors (from VPTL)]
 +
* [https://vptl.stanford.edu/promote-inclusive-learning Additional Resources from VPTL]
 +
 
 +
=== Students with Disabilities ===
 +
 
 +
TAs may be asked to assist in providing accommodations for students with disabilities. Therefore, we recommend that TAs become familiar with both student and faculty rights and responsibilities surrounding accessible education and accommodations. Visit the [https://oae.stanford.edu/faculty-teaching-staff OAE] (Office of Accessible Education] website for this information. The website provides help understanding what OAE can provide, the role of teaching staff in providing accessibility, understanding exam accommodations, and more.
 +
 
 +
Note that generally instructional staff will only be provided information on the accommodation required, not the disability.
 +
 
 +
If a student approaches you about a personal accommodation when you have not been provided with OAE documentation (and the requested accommodation is not one you can provide for all students), contact the course professor or direct them to OAE, as appropriate. If you think a student may benefit from official OAE accommodations but does not have them, you may tactfully recommend contacting OAE, if you feel it is appropriate.
 +
 
 +
=== Advice for working with first-gen/low-income students ===
 +
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pmJNuxyvpA What I Wish My Professor Knew]
 +
 
 +
=== Implicit Bias Test ===
 +
* [https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html Implict bias test by Project Implicit @ Harvard]
 +
 
 +
=== Resources for Diversity and Inclusion ===
 +
* [https://studentaffairs.stanford.edu/about-inclusion-community-and-integrative-learning The Stanford Office of Student Affairs: Inclusion, Community and Integrative Learning Resources]
 +
* [https://music.stanford.edu/about/diversity-and-inclusion-department-music Music Department Diversity and Inclusion Work Group]
 +
* [https://ombuds.stanford.edu/ Office of the Ombuds, a confidential service that can offer consultations and appointments to work through student/TA/teacher conflicts]
 +
 
 +
== Ideas & Techniques for Inclusive Teaching ==
 +
 
 +
'''Opportunities for conversation & engagement'''
 +
* Learn about your students
 +
* Think/write-pair-share
 +
* Distribute discussion q’s in advance
 +
* Ask everyone to share
 +
* Warm vs. cold calling
 +
* Appealing to prior/personal knowledge
 +
* Plan for “hot moments” (respond promptly to discriminatory remarks)
 +
 
 +
'''Ways of learning/retaining knowledge'''
 +
* Lecture often least effective way of retaining knowledge
 +
* Compare & contrast is one of the most effective ways of retaining knowledge
 +
* Multiple ways of explaining concepts
 +
* Visual, auditory, textual, metaphorical
 +
 
 +
'''Grading/feedback for learning'''
 +
* Read drafts, check homework, do practice problems
 +
* Provide rubrics and grading explanations
 +
* Explain purpose of office hours, and may "require" them if appropriate
 +
 
 +
For more, see the [https://vptl.stanford.edu/promote-inclusive-learning VPTL page] on inclusive classrooms.
 +
 
 +
'''Creating accessible classrooms for all learners'''
 +
* Add subtitles to all videos
 +
* Face students when speaking
 +
* Use white on black text instead of the reverse
 +
* Provide printed versions of slides, images and diagrams, and/or activity instructions
 +
* Print text in 12 point font or larger
 +
* Think carefully about when to precede a course, class period, or activity/set of materials with a trigger warning ([https://vptl.stanford.edu/difficult-conversations More on this from VPTL])
 +
 
 +
Note: the tips directly above are derived from practices developed for students with disabilities, as many of those practices may help all students. They should not be considered a replacement for seeking out and following guidelines from the Office of Accessible Education (OAE) when students with documented disabilities are in your classroom. Likewise, if a student reaches out regarding personal accommodations, contact the course instructor and the OAE for guidelines.
  
* Required [https://teachingcommons.stanford.edu/ta-support/ta-orientation Stanford TA Orientation] (Sept. 22, 2017)
+
== Dealing with Difficult Situations ==
* [https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/welcome-center/day-two-beyond/required-training-acknowledgements/required-training Trainings for Stanford Employees]
+
* [https://axess.sahr.stanford.edu/group/guest/stars?psft_src=%2FEMPLOYEE%2FELM%2Fc%2FLM_SS_LEARNING.LM_BROWSE_LEARNER.GBL%3Ftype%3DCOURSE%26code%3DSHP-0003 Sexual Harassment Training]
+
* [https://axess.sahr.stanford.edu/group/guest/stars?psft_src=%2FEMPLOYEE%2FELM%2Fc%2FLM_SS_LEARNING.LM_BROWSE_LEARNER.GBL%3Ftype%3DCOURSE%26code%3DOGC-0001 Mandated Reporter Training]
+
  
=== VPTL Midterm Small Group Feedback ===
+
'''Resources for mental health issues and other types of distress'''
  
Consider getting help from VPTL to obtain feedback from your students. This is extremely valuable if you are considering a career in Academia and/or if you are new to teaching at Stanford.
+
If you notice a change in a students' mood or behavior, it may be appropriate to reach out to them. In certain cases, it may be appropriate to remind the student that you cannot act as a confidential resource. If needed, encourage them to get help. The Sexual Harassment Policy Office has a [https://harass.stanford.edu/help/resources helpful resource] for Stanford students and instructors to navigate which resource might be best, including which resources can be confidential and/or anonymous.
[https://vptl.stanford.edu/teaching-and-learning-innovation/teaching-resources/evaluation-and-assessment/small-group Midterm Small Group Feedback]
+
  
=== TA Policies, Procedures, Recommendations at Stanford ===
+
[https://vaden.stanford.edu/caps-and-wellness Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)] is often a good place to start, and can help you figure out what to do to best assist a student in need. Note that CAPS is a confidential but not anonymous resource; be mindful of this when contacting them about a student who wishes to remain anonymous (or if you don't know whether they wish to remain anonymous). Their website also provides advice for [https://vaden.stanford.edu/caps-and-wellness/assisting-students-distress assisting students in distress].
  
==== What do I do if a student has threatened suicide or disclosed severe emotional or psychological distress? ====
+
'''What do I do if a student indicates something serious is going on, like severe emotional or psychological distress, or even suicide?'''
  
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) counsel with Stanford community members who are concerned about a student. https://vaden.stanford.edu/caps-and-wellness/assisting-students-distress
+
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) counsel with Stanford community members who are concerned about a student, and their website provides advice for [https://vaden.stanford.edu/caps-and-wellness/assisting-students-distress assisting students in distress].
 
* If you feel the situation presents imminent danger or harm to anyone, call 911 immediately.
 
* If you feel the situation presents imminent danger or harm to anyone, call 911 immediately.
* If the situation is urgent, or if you’d like help assessing the situation, contact a CAPS on-call clinician at 650-723-3785 anytime. Regular office hours are M–F 8:30am–5pm. If you’re calling at any other time, you’ll be forwarded to the answering machine service: don’t be alarmed! The service will page the on- call clinician, who will return your call within twenty minutes. Leave a message identifying yourself as a Stanford faculty or staff member, indicating the urgency of your request and a phone number where you can be reached.
+
* If the situation is urgent, or if you’d like help assessing the situation, contact a CAPS on-call clinician at 650-723-3785 anytime. Regular office hours are M–F 8:30am–5pm. If you’re calling at any other time, you’ll be forwarded to the answering machine service: don’t be alarmed! The service will page the on call clinician, who will return your call within twenty minutes. Leave a message identifying yourself as a Stanford faculty or staff member, indicating the urgency of your request and a phone number where you can be reached.
 
* If your situation is non-urgent but you’d like help handling it, contact the counseling staff at CAPS (650-723-3785). Each academic department is assigned a consultant who supports faculty and staff in dealing with student concerns. You can also visit this page: [https://teachingcommons.stanford.edu/resources/teaching-resources/interacting-students/supporting-vulnerable-students Supporting Vulnerable Students].
 
* If your situation is non-urgent but you’d like help handling it, contact the counseling staff at CAPS (650-723-3785). Each academic department is assigned a consultant who supports faculty and staff in dealing with student concerns. You can also visit this page: [https://teachingcommons.stanford.edu/resources/teaching-resources/interacting-students/supporting-vulnerable-students Supporting Vulnerable Students].
 
* Two more resources if you are concerned about a student:
 
* Two more resources if you are concerned about a student:
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** Rowen Leigh (650-725-1932) is the Undergraduate Student Services administrator in Braun.
 
** Rowen Leigh (650-725-1932) is the Undergraduate Student Services administrator in Braun.
  
==== What do I do if I suspect a student may pose a risk to themselves or to others? ====
+
'''What do I do if I suspect a student may pose a risk to themselves or to others?'''
  
Report the behavior to the Stanford Department of Public Safety (650-723-9633, or http://web.stanford.edu/group/SUDPS/contact.shtml). If it is an emergency, call 911 immediately.
+
CAPS has an emergency number if you suspect a mental health crisis: [https://vaden.stanford.edu/get-help-now/immediate-mental-health-crisis-assistance]. You may also report the behavior to the Stanford Department of Public Safety (650-723-9633, or https://police.stanford.edu/#contactsection). If it is an emergency, call 911 immediately.
  
==== What do I do if I suspect there has been an Honor Code Violation? ====
+
'''What do I do if I suspect there has been an Honor Code Violation?'''
  
 
* First, do your best to assess whether a violation has occurred by reviewing these documents:
 
* First, do your best to assess whether a violation has occurred by reviewing these documents:
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* Review your rights, described in the [https://communitystandards.stanford.edu/policies/student-judicial-charter-1997 Student Judicial Charter].
 
* Review your rights, described in the [https://communitystandards.stanford.edu/policies/student-judicial-charter-1997 Student Judicial Charter].
  
==== What about any other complicated or difficult situations with students or other instructors? ====
+
'''What about any other complicated or difficult situations with students or other instructors?'''
Begin by contacting the TA mentors, i.e. [mailto:riopelle@stanford.edu Kara] or [mailto:iran@stanford.edu Irán], to discuss problems.
+
  
=== International Teaching Assistants ===
+
These situations may require a variety of responses. Use your discretion in contacting your course instructor, or contacting CAPS or another counseling/reporting resource, via the links above.
  
* [https://language.stanford.edu/programs/efs/languages/english-foreign-students/screening-international-teaching-assistants English Screening of International Teaching Assistants]
+
You may also contact the TA mentors, i.e. [mailto:kfhaag@stanford.edu Kirstin] or [mailto:jherndon@stanford.edu Julie], to discuss questions or problems.
* Maintaining a Legal Status: ITIN vs. SSN
+
  
 
== Teaching Workshop Guidelines ==
 
== Teaching Workshop Guidelines ==
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=== General Information ===
 
=== General Information ===
  
During the teaching workshops participants will teach a twenty to thirty minutes lecture or workshop that simulates a class that they will likely teach next year. We’ll solicit feedback from the audience and discuss what worked well and what could be improved using the [[Music_Department_TA_Training#Feedback_Guidelines|Feedback Guidelines presented below]]. The goal of this feedback is not so much to evaluate your performance but to explore how the attendees experienced your class from the student perspective. Attendees who will teach a CCRMA class will do it during the Sunday morning session and attendees who will teach a music class will do it on Saturday.
+
'''Teaching Workshop Guidelines'''
  
We’ll ask you to complete the following tasks during your lecture/workshop:
+
During the teaching workshop, participants will teach a lesson (no longer than 15 minutes, as short as 10 minutes is fine!) that simulates a music class. We’ll solicit feedback from the audience and discuss what worked well and what could be improved using the Feedback guidelines below. The goal of this feedback is not so much to evaluate your performance but to explore how the attendees experienced your class from the student perspective.
  
 +
'''Choosing a Topic'''
 +
 +
You may choose any music-related topic, but it must be accessible to all trainees (upper-level music undergraduates or graduate students). However, we highly recommend choosing a topic from the course you will be a TA for next year! If you are having trouble choosing a topic, please email us! 
 +
 +
'''Teaching Tasks'''
 +
 +
During your session (since we are online), we may ask you to complete the following tasks:
 +
Teaching Tasks on Zoom:
 +
 +
* Preserve original sound
 +
* Screen share
 +
* Whiteboard
 +
* Play an audio/video example
 +
 +
Information on how to do this is here: https://stanford.box.com/s/vahar9jiyddiyfjfl7ee6mlzmr22myuv
 +
 +
During your session (if we were in person), we may ask you to complete the following tasks:
 
* Set up lighting, chairs, and tables
 
* Set up lighting, chairs, and tables
 
* Distribute a paper handout
 
* Distribute a paper handout
Line 147: Line 212:
 
=== Teaching Context (with sample answers) ===
 
=== Teaching Context (with sample answers) ===
  
The participants of the TA training course will be requested to answer to the following questions before the course in order to better prepare the teaching workshops:
+
Please answer the following questions before the training in order to better prepare the teaching workshops:
 
+
* Name of teacher: ''"Irán Roman"''
* Name of teacher: ''Kara Riopelle''
+
* What is the number and title for the course you’re simulating? ''"Music 42 (Music History after 1830)"''
 
+
* Describe the typical education level and musical background of the students in this course: ''"Mostly sophomores and juniors; mostly music majors who have already taken the ear training and theory sequences."''
* What is the number and title for the course you’re simulating? ''Music 42 (Music History after 1830)''
+
* How long is a typical class meeting in this course? ''"Fifty minutes per class period"''
 
+
* What is the topic for the class meeting that you’re simulating? ''"Programmatic music and the development of the orchestra"''
* Describe the typical education level and musical background of the students in this course. ''Mostly sophomores and juniors; mostly music majors who have already taken the ear training and theory sequences.''  
+
* When does this class meeting usually occur during the quarter? ''"Week 2"''  
 
+
* What is the subtopic for the particular twenty minutes you’ve chosen? ''"Hector Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique"''
* How long is a typical class meeting in this course? ''Fifty minutes for the TA’s lectures''
+
* When would these twenty minutes occur within the class meeting as a whole? ''"The first 15 minutes of class"''
 
+
* What is the topic for the class meeting that you’re simulating? ''Opera and musical theatre in the early 20th century''  
+
 
+
* When does this class meeting usually occur during the quarter? ''Final third of the quarter (week 8 or 9)''
+
 
+
* What is the subtopic for the particular twenty minutes you’ve chosen? ''Alban Berg, Wozzeck Act I scene 2''
+
 
+
* When would these twenty minutes occur within the class meeting as a whole? ''The final twenty minutes of class''
+
  
 
=== Feedback Guidelines ===
 
=== Feedback Guidelines ===
  
These are some guidelines that will be given to the students attending to the teaching simulation.
+
During the teaching simulation, we may ask participants to consider the following from the perspective of the above student types:  
 
+
Here are some common student "types":
+
* Student 1 is consistently late; misses some classes; is distracted and sometimes rude while in class; is indifferent to most of the material and is only there because the course is required.
+
* Student 2 is talkative and enthusiastic; is always the first to enter discussion or answer questions; is eager to please; finds the material interesting but often doesn’t do the reading.
+
* Student 3 has failed the course once and is retaking it; feels incompetent; finds the material alienating but really wants to do better this time.
+
* Student 4 is quiet and well-behaved in class but disengaged; written assignments indicate a lack of absorption of the material.
+
* Student 5 has an advanced musical background; feels ownership over the material; is used to getting good grades; doesn’t want to be the teacher’s pet and often hangs back from the discussion.
+
* Student 6 is a good and well-behaved student; finds the material moderately interesting; participates occasionally; is mostly concerned about getting a good grade.
+
 
+
Please feel free to add any types that we've omitted!
+
 
+
Now, from the perspective of each of these student types, consider the following questions about the teaching simulation you attended:  
+
  
 
* How was the pacing?  
 
* How was the pacing?  
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== Teaching Workshop Videos ==
 
== Teaching Workshop Videos ==
  
Available after the workshop.
+
[Go to Stanford Box for teaching video downloads when available.]
 +
 
 +
== Teaching Workshop Reflection ==
 +
After the workshop, watch the video of your presentation (posted at the link above). Based on that viewing and the feedback you received from the other participants at the training, write a 300-400 word reflection. You might consider the following to guide your response:
 +
 
 +
* How did you feel as a “student” watching your own presentation? What stood out to you about your own presentation style? Were you surprised by anything?
 +
* What patterns do you see in the participant feedback? Do these align with your personal reactions to watching the video? What might account for gaps between the participant and personal reactions, if any?
 +
* How do you see best pedagogical practices emerging in your teaching (i.e. what are you already doing that is productive and useful)? Which of these would you like to focus on moving forward, and/or which teaching methods would you like to experiment with adding to your practice?
 +
* Describe 2-3 goals you have for your TA experience in the fall/next academic year. What are some steps you plan to take to achieve those goals?
 +
 
 +
'''Due Date: Fri, May 29.'''
 +
 
 +
== Additional Recommended Resources ==
 +
 
 +
John Dewey, ''Experience and Education'', originally published 1938. Full text available online & via SUL.
 +
 
 +
Claude Steele, ''Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do'', 2010. Available via SUL.
 +
 
 +
bell hooks, ''Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom'', 1994. Full text available online & via SUL.

Latest revision as of 19:03, 21 May 2020

This wiki page is intended to serve as a syllabus for the TA training course of the music department (Music 280) and as a resource for teaching assistants containing helpful information and links.

Program of the Workshop

May 1, 2020 (Zoom)

  • 09:15am - 10:20am: Introductions / Overview of TA work and policies / Reflection on teaching goals
  • 10:30am - 12:00pm: Braun teaching demos
  • 12:00pm - 1:00pm: Lunch break offline
  • 1:00pm - 1:45pm: Round-table discussion/Panel: Instructor expectations and tips
  • 2:00pm - 3:00pm: CCRMA teaching demos
  • 3:10pm - 04:00pm: Closing reflection on effective pedagogy and inclusion in the classroom

Teaching in Braun and CCRMA

Braun

CCRMA

  • TAing Tips for CCRMA Courses
  • Cables/Gears, Audio/Video Equipment, Adaptor Closet
  • Scheduling rooms and office hours

Stanford TA resources and requirements

General Resources

Required Trainings

  • Sexual Harassment Training: Register in STARS SHP-2020 [1]
  • Mandated Reporter Training: sign acknowledgement form in Axess: [2]

If, while you're TAing, you encounter a situation and you're not sure what to do, there are resources at Harass.Stanford.Edu

Improving as a TA

Consider getting help from the Vice Provost for Teaching & Learning (VPTL). They have teaching reflection and feedback programs VPTL Assess Your Teaching This is extremely valuable, especially if you are considering a career in education and/or academia, regardless of if you are new to teaching at Stanford or have been teaching for a while.

Appointments are also available through Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). They can arrange for you to get midterm feedback from your students. CTL Midterm Feedback

Find more teaching development opportunities: Graduate Teaching Commons - Grad Teaching Workshops and Resources

International Teaching Assistants

Round Table: Instructor Expectations and Tips

Panelists

  • Giancarlo Aquilanti (current instructor)
  • Elena Georgieva (current instructor, former TA)
  • Mike Kinney (current student, former TA)
  • Elea Mclaughlin (current TA)

Student-Centered Teaching Resources

Student Learning Resources

Resources for Inclusive Classrooms

Students with Disabilities

TAs may be asked to assist in providing accommodations for students with disabilities. Therefore, we recommend that TAs become familiar with both student and faculty rights and responsibilities surrounding accessible education and accommodations. Visit the OAE (Office of Accessible Education] website for this information. The website provides help understanding what OAE can provide, the role of teaching staff in providing accessibility, understanding exam accommodations, and more.

Note that generally instructional staff will only be provided information on the accommodation required, not the disability.

If a student approaches you about a personal accommodation when you have not been provided with OAE documentation (and the requested accommodation is not one you can provide for all students), contact the course professor or direct them to OAE, as appropriate. If you think a student may benefit from official OAE accommodations but does not have them, you may tactfully recommend contacting OAE, if you feel it is appropriate.

Advice for working with first-gen/low-income students

Implicit Bias Test

Resources for Diversity and Inclusion

Ideas & Techniques for Inclusive Teaching

Opportunities for conversation & engagement

  • Learn about your students
  • Think/write-pair-share
  • Distribute discussion q’s in advance
  • Ask everyone to share
  • Warm vs. cold calling
  • Appealing to prior/personal knowledge
  • Plan for “hot moments” (respond promptly to discriminatory remarks)

Ways of learning/retaining knowledge

  • Lecture often least effective way of retaining knowledge
  • Compare & contrast is one of the most effective ways of retaining knowledge
  • Multiple ways of explaining concepts
  • Visual, auditory, textual, metaphorical

Grading/feedback for learning

  • Read drafts, check homework, do practice problems
  • Provide rubrics and grading explanations
  • Explain purpose of office hours, and may "require" them if appropriate

For more, see the VPTL page on inclusive classrooms.

Creating accessible classrooms for all learners

  • Add subtitles to all videos
  • Face students when speaking
  • Use white on black text instead of the reverse
  • Provide printed versions of slides, images and diagrams, and/or activity instructions
  • Print text in 12 point font or larger
  • Think carefully about when to precede a course, class period, or activity/set of materials with a trigger warning (More on this from VPTL)

Note: the tips directly above are derived from practices developed for students with disabilities, as many of those practices may help all students. They should not be considered a replacement for seeking out and following guidelines from the Office of Accessible Education (OAE) when students with documented disabilities are in your classroom. Likewise, if a student reaches out regarding personal accommodations, contact the course instructor and the OAE for guidelines.

Dealing with Difficult Situations

Resources for mental health issues and other types of distress

If you notice a change in a students' mood or behavior, it may be appropriate to reach out to them. In certain cases, it may be appropriate to remind the student that you cannot act as a confidential resource. If needed, encourage them to get help. The Sexual Harassment Policy Office has a helpful resource for Stanford students and instructors to navigate which resource might be best, including which resources can be confidential and/or anonymous.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is often a good place to start, and can help you figure out what to do to best assist a student in need. Note that CAPS is a confidential but not anonymous resource; be mindful of this when contacting them about a student who wishes to remain anonymous (or if you don't know whether they wish to remain anonymous). Their website also provides advice for assisting students in distress.

What do I do if a student indicates something serious is going on, like severe emotional or psychological distress, or even suicide?

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) counsel with Stanford community members who are concerned about a student, and their website provides advice for assisting students in distress.

  • If you feel the situation presents imminent danger or harm to anyone, call 911 immediately.
  • If the situation is urgent, or if you’d like help assessing the situation, contact a CAPS on-call clinician at 650-723-3785 anytime. Regular office hours are M–F 8:30am–5pm. If you’re calling at any other time, you’ll be forwarded to the answering machine service: don’t be alarmed! The service will page the on call clinician, who will return your call within twenty minutes. Leave a message identifying yourself as a Stanford faculty or staff member, indicating the urgency of your request and a phone number where you can be reached.
  • If your situation is non-urgent but you’d like help handling it, contact the counseling staff at CAPS (650-723-3785). Each academic department is assigned a consultant who supports faculty and staff in dealing with student concerns. You can also visit this page: Supporting Vulnerable Students.
  • Two more resources if you are concerned about a student:

What do I do if I suspect a student may pose a risk to themselves or to others?

CAPS has an emergency number if you suspect a mental health crisis: [3]. You may also report the behavior to the Stanford Department of Public Safety (650-723-9633, or https://police.stanford.edu/#contactsection). If it is an emergency, call 911 immediately.

What do I do if I suspect there has been an Honor Code Violation?

  • First, do your best to assess whether a violation has occurred by reviewing these documents:
  • Speak with the course’s principal instructor as soon as possible.
  • If the principal instructor cannot be reached, contact the Office of Community Standards (650-725-2485 or community_standards@stanford.edu) to get help assessing the situation.
  • Review procedures for reporting Honor Code Concerns at the Office of Community Standards. A few notes:
    • It is recommended that concerns be reported within sixty days of the incident.
    • Once you submit a concern, you have initiated a judicial process, so please use the utmost discretion.
    • Be sure to maintain students' confidentiality throughout the process. If you discuss an Honor Code matter with anyone other than your principal instructor, avoid naming the student.
  • Review your rights, described in the Student Judicial Charter.

What about any other complicated or difficult situations with students or other instructors?

These situations may require a variety of responses. Use your discretion in contacting your course instructor, or contacting CAPS or another counseling/reporting resource, via the links above.

You may also contact the TA mentors, i.e. Kirstin or Julie, to discuss questions or problems.

Teaching Workshop Guidelines

General Information

Teaching Workshop Guidelines

During the teaching workshop, participants will teach a lesson (no longer than 15 minutes, as short as 10 minutes is fine!) that simulates a music class. We’ll solicit feedback from the audience and discuss what worked well and what could be improved using the Feedback guidelines below. The goal of this feedback is not so much to evaluate your performance but to explore how the attendees experienced your class from the student perspective.

Choosing a Topic

You may choose any music-related topic, but it must be accessible to all trainees (upper-level music undergraduates or graduate students). However, we highly recommend choosing a topic from the course you will be a TA for next year! If you are having trouble choosing a topic, please email us!

Teaching Tasks

During your session (since we are online), we may ask you to complete the following tasks: Teaching Tasks on Zoom:

  • Preserve original sound
  • Screen share
  • Whiteboard
  • Play an audio/video example

Information on how to do this is here: https://stanford.box.com/s/vahar9jiyddiyfjfl7ee6mlzmr22myuv

During your session (if we were in person), we may ask you to complete the following tasks:

  • Set up lighting, chairs, and tables
  • Distribute a paper handout
  • Write on the blackboard
  • Play an audio example over the loudspeakers
  • Show a visual on the projector from a laptop

Depending on your TA assignments, not all of these tasks will come up when you actually teach; we just want to make sure you feel comfortable doing them if necessary.

Teaching Context (with sample answers)

Please answer the following questions before the training in order to better prepare the teaching workshops:

  • Name of teacher: "Irán Roman"
  • What is the number and title for the course you’re simulating? "Music 42 (Music History after 1830)"
  • Describe the typical education level and musical background of the students in this course: "Mostly sophomores and juniors; mostly music majors who have already taken the ear training and theory sequences."
  • How long is a typical class meeting in this course? "Fifty minutes per class period"
  • What is the topic for the class meeting that you’re simulating? "Programmatic music and the development of the orchestra"
  • When does this class meeting usually occur during the quarter? "Week 2"
  • What is the subtopic for the particular twenty minutes you’ve chosen? "Hector Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique"
  • When would these twenty minutes occur within the class meeting as a whole? "The first 15 minutes of class"

Feedback Guidelines

During the teaching simulation, we may ask participants to consider the following from the perspective of the above student types:

  • How was the pacing?
  • Was it an appropriate amount of material, given the subtopic for the twenty minutes as well as the topic for the entire class meeting?
  • Which parts were particularly helpful?
  • Which parts were particularly interesting?
  • Which parts were confusing?
  • Which parts were boring?
  • Did the teacher seem accessible?
  • Did the teacher seem engaging/charismatic/inspiring?
  • Did the teacher seem offensive or off-putting?

Teaching Workshop Videos

[Go to Stanford Box for teaching video downloads when available.]

Teaching Workshop Reflection

After the workshop, watch the video of your presentation (posted at the link above). Based on that viewing and the feedback you received from the other participants at the training, write a 300-400 word reflection. You might consider the following to guide your response:

  • How did you feel as a “student” watching your own presentation? What stood out to you about your own presentation style? Were you surprised by anything?
  • What patterns do you see in the participant feedback? Do these align with your personal reactions to watching the video? What might account for gaps between the participant and personal reactions, if any?
  • How do you see best pedagogical practices emerging in your teaching (i.e. what are you already doing that is productive and useful)? Which of these would you like to focus on moving forward, and/or which teaching methods would you like to experiment with adding to your practice?
  • Describe 2-3 goals you have for your TA experience in the fall/next academic year. What are some steps you plan to take to achieve those goals?

Due Date: Fri, May 29.

Additional Recommended Resources

John Dewey, Experience and Education, originally published 1938. Full text available online & via SUL.

Claude Steele, Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do, 2010. Available via SUL.

bell hooks, Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom, 1994. Full text available online & via SUL.