In this article, we’ll look at the best practices for onboarding your new University Teaching Assistant. We’ll look at the employee onboarding process/steps you can add to your own reusable University Teaching Assistant checklist.
Need help with onboarding new Education team members? See the templates and resources we recommend for successful onboarding experiences.
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Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new University Teaching Assistant starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Education onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new University Teaching Assistant, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample University Teaching Assistant onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.
1. Orientation: The teaching assistant (TA) attends an orientation session conducted by the university’s human resources department. This session provides an overview of the university’s policies, procedures, and expectations for TAs. It may also cover topics such as campus resources, safety protocols, and professional development opportunities. The orientation is typically conducted by HR staff or experienced TAs.
2. Introduction to the Department: The TA is introduced to the department chair or program coordinator, who provides an overview of the department’s structure, goals, and teaching philosophy. This meeting allows the TA to understand the department’s expectations, teaching assignments, and any specific requirements related to their role. The department chair or program coordinator typically performs this task.
3. Classroom Setup: The TA is responsible for setting up the classroom or online learning platform for the course they will be assisting with. This includes ensuring that all necessary materials, such as textbooks, handouts, and multimedia resources, are available and organized. The TA may also need to familiarize themselves with any technology or software used in the classroom. The TA performs this task.
4. Course Familiarization: The TA reviews the course syllabus, learning objectives, and teaching materials provided by the course instructor. This task helps the TA gain a comprehensive understanding of the course content, assessment methods, and teaching strategies employed in the course. The TA may also meet with the course instructor to discuss any questions or concerns. The TA performs this task, with guidance from the course instructor.
5. Student Communication: The TA communicates with the students enrolled in the course, introducing themselves and providing information about their role and availability. This task helps establish a positive rapport with the students and ensures they are aware of the TA’s role in supporting their learning. The TA performs this task.
6. Classroom Observation: The TA observes one or more classes taught by the course instructor to gain insight into the teaching style, classroom dynamics, and student engagement strategies. This observation allows the TA to align their teaching approach with the instructor’s and understand the expectations for classroom management. The TA may also take notes and discuss their observations with the course instructor. The TA performs this task, with guidance from the course instructor.
7. Grading and Assessment: The TA familiarizes themselves with the grading rubrics, assessment criteria, and any specific guidelines for evaluating student work. This task ensures that the TA can provide consistent and fair feedback to students. The TA may also attend grading meetings or training sessions organized by the department to ensure alignment with departmental grading standards. The TA performs this task, with guidance from the course instructor and departmental guidelines.
8. Office Hours: The TA schedules and holds regular office hours to provide additional support to students outside of the classroom. During these hours, the TA answers questions, provides clarification on course material, and offers guidance on assignments or projects. This task helps foster a supportive learning environment and allows students to seek individualized assistance. The TA performs this task.
9. Collaborative Planning: The TA collaborates with the course instructor and other TAs to plan and coordinate course activities, assignments, and assessments. This task ensures consistency across different sections of the course and promotes effective teaching practices. The TA may participate in planning meetings or use online collaboration tools to facilitate communication. The TA performs this task, in collaboration with the course instructor and other TAs.
10. Professional Development: The TA engages in ongoing professional development activities, such as attending workshops, conferences, or webinars related to teaching and learning. This task helps the TA stay updated with current educational practices, enhance their teaching skills, and contribute to their professional growth. The TA may seek guidance from the department or university’s professional development resources. The TA performs this task, with support from the department and university
From reading through the items in the example University Teaching Assistant checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new University Teaching Assistant up to speed and working well in your Education team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.
