Georgia Institute of TechnologyCETL

Tech to Teaching

Tech to Teaching is an NSF-funded project which aims to create an infrastructure on the Georgia Tech campus that encourages and enables students to effectively pursue careers in K-12 or college teaching. Programs are being developed and implemented to ensure students gain the skills needed to become successful teachers, navigate the job search process, and make a smooth transition to a teaching career.

 

K-12 Initiatives

For futher information about the K-12 initiatives that are being pursued within Tech to Teaching, please visit: http://www.undergradstudies.gatech.edu/preteaching/index.php.

Higher Education Pathway

The higher education pathway of Tech to Teaching is designed to create a flexible pathway for Georgia Tech graduate students to gain excellent preparation for a faculty career in higher education. The program aims to help graduate students develop and improve their teaching skills, explore career options, navigate the academic job search, and become successful teachers in the college classroom.

Click here to read the NSF press release about Tech to Teaching.

 

Teaching

Tech to Teaching is meant to be flexible, so individuals can progress through the program using different combinations of CETL options and departmental options based on career goals, home department issues, and other factors. There are two levels where the students will receive recognition: completion of the first three steps (Level A), or completion of all five steps (Level A and B). Each step builds on the previous steps, and students can proceed at the pace and to the level that they desire.

TECH TO TEACHING LEVEL A

Step 1: Introductory experience
Two terms as a college-level TA for a laboratory and/or recitation section at Tech and/or elsewhere or the equivalent. This excludes assignments as a "grader" or equivalent with the sole responsibility of only grading and holding office hours.

CETL options are being developed for students who do not have the opportunity to TA in their home department at Tech.

Step 2: Foundational Course: CETL 8802TL: Foundations of Teaching & Learning (2 units)
This course is intended for graduate students who are planning academic careers and want to learn how to improve college students' learning.  This course focuses on the knowledge and skills necessary for effective classroom instruction and management in higher education, including educational psychology, lesson planning, and delivery techniques.

Prerequisite: Two terms as a college-level TA for a laboratory and/or recitation section at Tech and/or elsewhere or the equivalent. This excludes assignments as a "grader" or equivalent with the sole responsibility of grading and holding office hours.

NOTE: Students who have already done a practicum (Step 3) are eligible to take 8802 TL.
In the future, schools may offer an equivalent discipline-specific course.

Step 3: Mentored Practicum/Shadowing (3 units)
Coming in Spring 2010

Students will work with a faculty mentor at Georgia Tech to gain an inside view of the practicalities of teaching. They will have the opportunity to teach mini-lessons or full class periods, do other teaching-related tasks (e.g. writing homework or exam questions), get feedback on their performance from various sources, and discuss various aspects of teaching with their mentor. Options at Tech include working with a mentor in the student’s home department or with a GT 1000 instructor. Students can get advice from CETL on how to initiate a practicum experience with a faculty mentor at another local institution.

Prerequisite: CETL 8802 TL or CETL 8712 (STEP summer course).

NOTE: Students who have already done a practicum (Step 3) are eligible to take 8802 TL (Step 2).

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TECH TO TEACHING LEVEL B

Step 4: Advanced Course: CETL 8802CD: Course Design for Higher Education (2 units)
Details coming in Fall 2010.

Prerequisite: 8802TL

NOTE: Students who have completed the STEP Program are eligible to take 8802CD.

Step 5: Mentored Immersion Experience (solo instructor of record) – 1 unit
Students will teach their own course with the support of an assigned mentor. Options at Georgia Tech may include teaching in home department or teaching the GT 1000 Freshman Seminar. Students may also have the opportunity to be the instructor of record in a class taught at one of our partner institutions: Georgia Perimeter College and Spelman College.

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Academic Job Search

Workshops

CETL offers a variety of workshops to help students explore various career options in academia and to help prepare students to successfully navigate the academic job search process.

Topics include:
• Career Options in Academia (Panels)
• Academic Job Search Overview
• Writing a CV and Cover Letter
• Creating a Teaching Philosophy and Portfolio
• Writing a Research Statement
• Preparing for the Teaching Demo
• Giving a Job Talk
• Academic Interviewing and Negotiating
• Etiquette Dinner
• Networking

NOTE: Not every workshop is offered every semester.

Individual Consultations

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