Kalish said that Faculty and TA Development hosts orientations for aspiring TAs in almost all majors. He said these orientations demonstrate general teaching skills that would apply to each of the varying majors. They also explain the difference between teaching recitations and lectures. All TAs must attend these orientations unless their department provides equivalent instruction. Kalish said in addition to the orientations, each individual department prepares the future TAs for their separate positions.
"I feel very qualified to teach and help students," said Eileen Bjornstrom, a graduate student and sociology recitation leader. "I was well-prepared before I became a TA."
Although Bjornstrom has been a TA for nine quarters, senior and current recitation leader Misti Robinson has not yet completed her undergraduate degree.
Robinson, a junior in math, is a recitation leader for Math 104. Despite being a first quarter TA, Robinson said she also feels qualified and confident about her position.
"Not only did I go through orientations, but I was a math tutor for three years," she said. "I also had to tryout for this position by teaching in front of a panel of judges. The job was not just handed to me."
Robinson said many students learn better and feel more comfortable with someone closer in age to them. She said her students are always asking questions, which helps her as well as them, as she aspires to become a math teacher.
Julie Thompson, a mechanical engineering said she agreed with Robinson.
Thompson said about 60 percent of her classes have been with TAs.
"I actually prefer a TA to a professor," she said. "They relate better to us. Sometimes I think professors forget what it's like to be a student."
Randal Roberts, a junior in political science, has been at the Mansfield OSU campus for the past two years. He said, coming from a campus that does not use TAs, he was apprehensive about transferring this year to the Columbus campus.
2008 Woodie Awards
