Legal and Moral Obligations to Promote Equality, Civility, and Respect
Jennifer McIntosh, President’s Office for Social Justice

The 4-Aces of Effective Teaching
Richard (Dick) Walls, Educational Psychology and Disability Information

Professor Walls will present methods for effective classroom teaching based on research about the fundamental principles for good instructional practice; these techniques can be used for online instruction as well as in the traditional classroom. The purpose of this session is to describe and model "The 4-Aces of Effective Teaching" (Outcomes, Clarity, Engagement, Enthusiasm) as a framework for GTAs to enhance their teaching skills and to increase self-reflective practices. You will really help your students learn when you play the 4-Aces.  

Classroom Management Strategies
Paula Bone, Marketing, Nathan Haddad Professor of Business Administration

Our goal as instructors it to create a respectful, supportive environment that encourages learning. Professor Bone, assisted by veteran GTAs, will present a number strategies for achieving and maintaining a productive classroom atmosphere through class structure and appropriate teacher-student relationships. In addition to outlining goals and strategies for behavior management, this session will discuss some of the problems veteran GTAs have encountered and their solutions.

Inquiry-Based Learning & Information Literacy
Carroll Wilkinson, Instruction and Information Literacy

This informal session will address two important concepts in higher education: inquiry-based learning and information literacy. The session will enable GTAs to utilize new teaching strategies by defining the pedagogy of inquiry-based learning and exploring the objectives of information literacy. The session facilitator will discuss examples of classroom inquiry assignments that integrate principles of information literacy. Participants will be encouraged to both share previous experiences (as learners or teachers) with these approaches and exchange ideas for applications in their particular disciplines.

The American Classroom
Susan Braidi and María Amores, Foreign Languages

This session is REQUIRED for all International GTAs. This session is designed to introduce international students to the expectations of students and instructors in the US education system. Both academic conventions, such as student participation, appropriate feedback for student work, and grading norms, as well as appropriate interactions between students and instructors, including respect for differences in culture, gender, and religion, will be covered.

Engaging Students in the Classroom
Kathleen Ryan, English, 2007 WVU Outstanding Teacher

Students’ interest and their retention of information increase when they are actively involved in the classroom. In this interactive session, Professor Ryan will share her techniques for integrating performance activities that stimulate student learning and engagement. This session will be most suitable for GTAs in foreign languages, the humanities, and education.

Gluck Theater Lobby

The First-Year Experience
Robin Jones and Rhonda Hall, First-Year Experience

Millennial Students
Susan Lantz, Career Services

Effective Teaching Strategies for Science and Engineering
Jonathan Cumming, Biology Chair

This session will provide GTAs in the sciences and engineering with effective teaching strategies for labs, lectures, and experiential learning activities. Professor Cumming will explain the methods he utilizes to teach engineering concepts and will offer tips for strengthening your teaching both in the laboratory and as an assistant to a professor.

Classroom Management Strategies
Paula Bone, Marketing, Nathan Haddad Professor of Business Administration

Our goal as instructors it to create a respectful, supportive environment that encourages learning. Professor Bone, assisted by veteran GTAs, will present a number strategies for achieving and maintaining a productive classroom atmosphere through class structure and appropriate teacher-student relationships. In addition to outlining goals and strategies for behavior management, this session will discuss some of the problems veteran GTAs have encountered and their solutions.

Managing Time in the Classroom
Ken Martis, Geography, WVU 2007 Outstanding Teacher

One of the greatest challenges for new teachers is managing classroom time, both within individual class sessions and over the course of the semester. Professor Martis will share his strategies for allotting the appropriate amount of time to devote to individual activities, ensuring that each course topic is covered sufficiently, and maximizing learning throughout the semester.

Recognizing Culture and Language Differences
Karen Bird, Office of International Students and Scholars

This session will prepare GTAs to work with students from diverse backgrounds, including international students, ESL students, and students from the diverse regions and cultures in the United States. Karen Bird will draw attention to differences in students’ educational preparation and expectations. By becoming aware of your students’ needs and challenges, you can become a more effective teacher.