Teaching Assistant Handbook
Compiled by Prof. Gary E. Ford, September 1999
Revised by Prof. Richard R. Spencer, July, 2000
TA Evaluations
At the end of each quarter, your performance as a TA will be evaluated by both the students and the faculty in charge. You are encouraged to review your student evaluations as a means for improvement and to become a more effective teacher. It is important to read these evaluations with a positive attitude and use this information constructively. Do not take any criticism personally; rather, review the forms objectively. Even the most seasoned professors receive comments that can foster improvement.
Student Evaluations
The department requires instructors to
administer instructional evaluations of the teaching assistants by the
students. The evaluation forms contain the following statement:
"Please rate the teaching assistants for this course on the basis of
their overall effectiveness, particularly in terms of their knowledge
of the subject matter, helpfulness and ability to give clear
explanations. In making your recommendation, keep in mind that the
TA's have been instructed not to solve the problems you encounter in
lab, but rather to help you learn to solve them yourself."
Students are asked to rate each TA in the course on a scale of 1 to 10,
where 1 is indicated as an "exceptionally negative evaluation" and 10 is
an "exceptionally positive evaluation." Students are asked to add any
comments that they feel would be helpful in evaluating the teaching
assistants.
Faculty Evaluations
The instructor in charge will evaluate your performance. Faculty evaluation of TA performance is generally expressed verbally with the Teaching Assistant and also by completing the "Instructor's Evaluation of Teaching Assistants" form. You are encouraged to discuss your performance with the instructor in charge.
Availability of Evaluations
After the grades have been filed for the course for which you have served as the TA, you may review the evaluations by contacting Jennifer Flood, in ECE Main Office.