giving guest lectures (as needed or as a learning experience)
maintaining grade records
giving a percentage of the final grade based on activities in section meetings
recording attendance
proctoring exams
maintaining on-line resources for students
What do you expect the students to know or be able to do from prior courses?
If you expect wide variation in students' backgrounds, is there anything specific your TAs should do in response (e.g. offer tutoring, conduct review sessions, find extra "challenge" problems)?
How much will your TAs interact with students?
Will students be expected to attend section meetings, participate actively in recitation/discussion, seek help with assignments out of class, or attend help sessions? If section meetings are optional, how can students be encouraged to attend?
How often will TAs meet with you to discuss the course?
If there are multiple TAs, will you meet to discuss how to coordinate activities?
How many hours, on average, should your TAs expect to devote to this course?
How much will that fluctuate over the semester? Do you have any suggestions about how your TAs can be most efficient?
What are the criteria for grading in this course and how can TAs be sure their grading is calibrated properly to your standards?
For example, how is partial credit awarded? To what extent is collaboration allowed or encouraged? How will the final grades be determined?
About what policies, if any, do your TAs have authority to make decisions and for what issues do you want them to refer questions to you?
requests for regrading
granting an extension
accepting late assignments
giving a make-up quiz
responding to suspected cheating or plagiarism
helping a student find additional assistance for personal or academic problems
How much flexibility do TAs have in how they fulfill their responsibilities?
What aspects of their teaching are important to maintain consistency across sections or to fulfill specific course objectives?
In what ways will TA work be evaluated?
Will they receive feedback from you and/or students about their performance?
faculty review of graded exams or papers
classroom visits and feedback
videotaping and review
early or midterm course evaluations
end-of-course student evaluations via Faculty Course Evaluations (FCEs)
end-of-course student evaluations specific to TA responsibilities
