GTAs as Laboratory Instructors

Chemistry
Physics
Biology
Computer science
Anthropology
Geology
Geography
Agriculture
Engineering
Nutrition

Multiple duties:
- pedagogical:
- mistake-based learning
- varied skills:
- physical dexterity
- real-time reasoning
("thinking on your feet")
- preparation
- writing (clarity and logic)
- socratic questioning

- safety

TAs as "in-betweeners"

Faculty in overall charge, but you are the one right there.

Logistics:
- next semester (take notes!)
- fix the problem today, for tomorrow's lab
- broken or missing equipment

Psychology:

- ordering them vs. "tell me why"
- be supportive
- be non-threatening

Types of problem students:
- student who won't try anything without reassurance
- student who *will* try anything: immature, no self-control ("big bang")
- student who is an accident looking for a place to happen
(clumsy, doesn't think things through, though often book-bright)

"Cook-booking":
following the recipe without understanding

As a TA:

Stay on your feet, be alert and mindful
("peripatetic" model)

Know the experiment inside out:
- read through and near-memorize procedure
- visualise beforehand, so as to recognize when something isn't right
- think about possible mis-interpretations and mistakes
- students WILL ask the one question that you're not prepared for.

- answer questions honestly, though a question in response to a question is often fine

Keep records!

- types of questions - good vs bad
("Is this right?" vs. "I've done XYZ; something's wrong; it's not due to ABC, because...; I'm stumped")

- breakage

- mistakes

Future evaluations

Problems and Cheating

"Dry-labbing"
- make small changes in required reports
- check with other sections; sign-off by other TA

Copying reports
- availability in drop boxes
- availability from social units
- check with other TAs
- hand-written

Unprepared
- check pre-lab as part of grade

False data
- data too good
- make small changes in procedure!
- watch and question them in lab
- note problems observed; do reports reflect this?

Absences
- Professor sets rules for excuses
- keep roll (at end as well)
- maximum number

Safety in labs

- responsibility (safety, pedagogical)

- Right To Know Law
- Chemical Hygiene Plan

- safety equipment (required,
availability, training)

- written safety rules, signed by student

- student rules (clothes, PPE)
eyewear, gloves, shoes, temperature

- alertness!
Think Things Through

Safety as (1) Common sense (2) always applied.
second is hard part. "Mindful"

How imposed: (1)rationally, (2)stories,

practices vs. facilities: you are responsible for the former, and should complain constructively about the latter.

PRACTICE:
Lab discipline vs. established practice.
Lab discipline:
- Always think things through before you start something.
- Constant awareness of the status of things; noticing what's missing or wrong
- Investigate problems!

- "Established practice" may be wrong.
- Murphy always wins

"Safety rules are written in blood"


Disability Services

Pregnancy

http://web.utk.edu/~bartmess/labta.html