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ALL TA Orientations
TAO & Seminar 2006
TA Seminar 2006-2007
| Syllabus Fall 2006 | PDF (103 KB) | Word (42 KB) |
| Syllabus Spring 2007 | PDF (101 KB) | Word (42 KB) |
| Lab Preparation Sheet | PDF (25 KB) | Word (41 KB) |
| Discussion Preparation Sheet | PDF (165 KB) | Word (274 KB) |
| Peer Observation Form | PDF (76 KB) | Word (33 KB) |
| Grading Lab Reports Activity | PDF (3.20 MB) | Word (5.12 MB) |
TA Orientation 2006
Below are the material that we use with the TA Orientation, with the purpose of familiarizing incoming graduate students to the teaching environment of the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Minnesota. The orientation lasts for 2 weeks prior to the start of each Fall Semester. These materials were used for the 2006-2007 academic year.
TA Orientation Syllabus 2006
Daily schedule of activities, reading, and homework for the TA orientation.
TA Orientation Evaluation Form: PDF (13 KB) Word (40 KB)
TA Orientation Activity Book 2006
Booklet of activities conducted during the orientation.
| Entire Activity Book | PDF (5.5 MB) | Word (5.3 MB) |
| Cover & Table of Contents | PDF (121 KB) | Word (353 KB) |
| Activity 1: TA Duties & Rationale for the UMn Model | PDF (18 KB) | Word (46 KB) |
| Power Point Presentations | PPT1 (383 KB) | PPT2 (109 KB) |
| Activity 2: Expert-Novice Differences in Problem Solving | PDF (175 KB) | Word (116 KB) |
| Graduate Written Exam Fall 2006 | PDF (30 KB) | Word (140 KB) |
| Activity 3: Lab Preparation (sample student lab warm-up questions) | PDF (1.8 MB) | Word (3.2 MB) |
| Activity 4: Demonstration of a Lab Session by Mentor TAs | PDF (26 KB) | Word (49 KB) |
| Activity 5: Structure of Peer Teaching | PDF (2.5 MB) | Word (64 KB) |
| Activity 6: Coaching During a Discussion Session | PDF (166 KB) | Word (306 KB) |
| Partial Student Solutions (scan) | PDF (405 KB) | |
| Activity 7: Facilitating an End Discussion | PDF (339 KB) | Word (635 KB) |
| Complete Student Solutions (scan) | PDF (628 KB) | |
| Activity 8: Designing a Problem Solving Framework / Answer Sheet | PDF (382 KB) | Word (485 KB) |
| Activity 9: How to Teach the First Lab and Discussion Session | PDF (98 KB) | Word (201 KB) |
| Activity 10: Sexual Harassment,
Academic Honesty, Diversity,
& Gender issues (case studies) |
PDF (34 KB) | Word (57 KB) |
- Problem Solving Answer Sheet 2005 (Activity 8) PDF (16 KB) Word (397 KB)
- Problem Solving Answer Sheet 2006 (Activity 8) PDF (79 KB) Word (29 KB)
TA Instructor's Handbook 2006
Guide to assist instructors in teaching under the Minnesota Model.
| Entire Instructor's Handbook | PDF (2.1 MB) | |
| Cover | PDF (10 KB) | PPT (20 KB) |
| Table of Contents | PDF (10 KB) | Word (35 KB) |
| Intro & Chapter 1: TA Duties and Responsibilities | PDF (176 KB) | Word (326 KB) |
| Chapter 2: Cooperative Group Problem Solving | PDF (712 KB) | Word (2.6 MB) |
| Chapter 3: Teaching a Laboratory Section | PDF (467 KB) | Word (336 KB) |
| Chapter 4: Teaching a Discussion Section | PDF (489 KB) | Word (1.0 MB) |
| Chapter 5: Other Teaching Resources | PDF (544 KB) | Word (855 KB) |
TA Orientation Selected Reading List 2006
Reference list to the articles that are assigned reading for the orientation; includes reading questions.
TA Orientation Peer Teaching Booklet 2006
Lab and Discussion Problems used for Dress Rehearsal
Mentor TA Guide 1999
Guide for the instructors of the orientation.
Writing Intensive Booklet
Material on grading laboratory reports in accordance to the Writing Intensive nature of the introductory physics course. Based on material developed by Dr. Kastman-Breuch of the Department of Rhetoric, University of Minnesota.
This page was last edited on 04/15/2008