Workshop Descriptions

GTA Training Program – Core Workshops

All new GTAs are required to complete the core workshops offered below.

TA104 Canvas Basics

Canvas is a comprehensive and user friendly Learning Management System acquired by the University to support its changing learning and teaching needs. This hands-on session will introduce you to the suggested workflow of Canvas and guide you through key basic features such as creating course content, managing the course learning path, communicating with students and monitoring their learning progress. 

Note: This is an intensive workshop. After the instructors have started the workshop, latecomers may not be allowed entry.

TA111 Effective Teaching Skills

This workshop intends to equip GTAs with some practical teaching skills. By the end of the workshop, GTAs should be able to (1) describe the roles and duties of being a GTA at HKUST, (2) prepare for the 1st day of class, (3) identify instructional techniques that facilitate student learning, and (4) experience some effective teaching strategies.

TA112 Marking & Grading

Basic principles of marking and grading will be introduced by engaging GTAs in a simulated marking exercise. By the end of the workshop, GTAs should be able to (1) describe some basic principles of marking and grading, (2) mark in a fair and consistent manner, (3) provide meaningful feedback, and (4) deal with cheating and plagiarism.

TA113 Effective Presentation Skills for Teaching

This workshop aims to introduce some effective in-class presentation strategies for GTAs. Group activities and discussions will be used to ensure that after the workshop, GTAs will be confident in preparing, developing, and delivering successful presentations for teaching. GTAs will also learn how to cope with stage fright.

TA122 Classroom Management

In this workshop, GTAs will learn how to manage a class for more effective teaching and learning. GTAs will be provided with (1) basic key strategies to minimize the chance of having classroom disruptions, and (2) advice on handling different disruptive situations when they occur.

TA123 Techniques for Interactive Teaching

The aim of this workshop is to enhance the effectiveness of classroom teaching by increasing interaction between teachers and students and student peers. By the end of this workshop, GTAs will be able to (1) describe the benefits of interactive classroom, (2) experience various interactive activities, and (3) identify common issues when implementing interactive activities, and (4) find ways of handling different issues.

GTA Training Program – Elective Workshops

All elective workshops are offered for registration.

TA104 IIa Canvas Extended (Assessments and Grading)
(TA104 Canvas Basics is a prerequisite)

This is one of the Canvas Extended series that focuses on the advanced setup and grading of assignments. The hands-on session will cover available options when setting up assignments, assignment weighting, various types of quiz questions, grading with SpeedGrader/rubric/peer review, using gradebook, and viewing quiz statistics.

Note: This is an intensive workshop. After the instructors have started the workshop, latecomers may not be allowed entry.

TA104 IIb Canvas Extended (Turnitin Assignments)
(TA104 Canvas Basics is a prerequisite)

This is one of the Canvas Extended series that shows you how originality check can be done on student assignments. The hands-on session will guide you through the setup of assignments with Turnitin and the interpretation of Turnitin reports. We will also share with you Dos and Don’ts when working with Turnitin in Canvas.

Note: This is an intensive workshop. After the instructors have started the workshop, latecomers may not be allowed entry.

TA104 IIc Canvas Extended (Student Group Work)
(TA104 Canvas Basics is a prerequisite)

This is one of the Canvas Extended series that focuses on the facilitation of group work.  The hands-on session will guide you through the creation and management of student groups for online discussion, collaboration and submission of group work.

Note: This is an intensive workshop. After the instructors have started the workshop, latecomers may not be allowed entry.

TA201 Developing Instructional Strategies

This workshop is designed for GTAs to work out meaningful learning objectives for different types of classrooms, develop instructional skills to facilitate learning in class in order to meet learning objectives. GTAs are encouraged to bring along some course examples to make the practice more specific to their teaching needs.

TA202 Teaching Demonstration – Advice and Strategies

Having sound subject knowledge does not mean that one can teach well. It is important for GTAs to go through the whole process from planning and rehearsing to teaching and reflecting. This participant-led mini-teaching session allows GTAs to teach a topic or explain a conceptual theory by applying all the pedagogical skills learnt. By the end of this workshop, they will receive feedback and advice from instructors and master more strategies for clearer presentation and explanation.

TA203 Engaging Students with Learning Activities

Are you trying to make the classroom more interactive and engaging? Designing suitable tasks aligned to the learning objectives and assessments is as important as facilitating them to student learning. In this workshop, GTAs will be given chances to incorporate interactive teaching techniques in their lesson plan and try facilitating them for feedback.

TA204 Facilitating Group Work and Discussions

To maximize student learning, GTAs are often encouraged to facilitate group discussion or design group activities. Yet, many GTAs are distressed by the silence and unresponsiveness of students, or confronting tensions built in groups. In this workshop, GTAs can utilize different facilitation tools, reflect about the dynamics of group learning, and foster / bring forward ways to cope with challenges.