- You are here:
- GT Home
- Home
- Undergraduate Students
The Center for Teaching and Learning offers a variety of resources to enhance the teaching effectiveness of Georgia Tech's undergraduate teaching assistants (UTAs), graduate teaching assistants (GTAs), and graduate student instructors (GSI). Serving as a TA is an exceptional opportunity to build and demonstrate mastery in your discipline while perfecting your skills in group presentation and individual consulting. Supplementing your TA experience with training in teaching and learning will improve not only your performance of your TA duties, but will also enhance your fit for a future faculty position. Not planning a career in academia? We can help you translate and apply the skills you develop through your TA experience to your chosen career.
TA Orientation (TAO) 
Are you a new graduate or undergraduate TA? In this essential introduction to your role as a TA, you will learn about your new responsibilities, the policies that govern your work, and useful tools to use in your course. Offered at the beginning of each fall and spring semester, this interactive training led by a team of experienced TAs is an engaging introduction to life as a TA at Georgia Tech. While all new undergrad and graduate TAs are encouraged to attend, your school/department will determine if your attendance is mandatory.
Spring 2020 TAO and ITAO sessions:
Spring TAO (Session 1*): Tuesday, January 14, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Student Center Ballroom
Spring TAO (Session 2*): Tuesday, January 21, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Student Center Peachtree Room
*These are duplicate sessions. New TAs need to attend only one.
International TAO (ITAO)
Graduate students who are new to the United States will learn about the culture, students, and teaching techniques typically found in the U.S.-American college classroom. International graduate TAs who are new to the U.S. should attend both TAO and ITAO.
International TAO (ITAO): Thursday, January 16, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Student Center Peachtree Room
REGISTER FOR International TAO
TA Orientation Online Modules
Did you miss all of the live TA Orientation sessions? Sometimes new TAs are hired or assigned after the semester starts and need a way to get up to speed on the basic policies that affect your role as a TA. This set of three modules, delivered via Canvas, provides an overview of three relevant policies: FERPA, Office of Disability Services, and academic integrity. Use your Georgia Tech log in credentials to add yourself to the Canvas module. When you complete the embedded quizzes, print your grade book to submit to your school's TA coordinator (but don't remove yourself from the course or CTL won't be able to verify your participation). Access to the online modules will be available as make-up only for those students who miss the in-person sessions.
Graduate Teaching Fellows
Graduate Teaching Fellows are advanced graduate students who contribute to the work of the Center for Teaching and Learning by designing and executing a project that supports TA and future faculty development in their college. They plan and present Institute-wide TA orientation programs, conduct teaching observations and consultations with graduate students and postdocs, and develop resources and workshops. Applicants to this fellowship will have considerable TA and teaching experience.
Workshops
From workshops on teaching and learning to sessions on developing your academic career, CTL offers a variety of workshops to enhance your role on campus and beyond.
Consultations and Observations
Teaching in any form can be a challenging undertaking. A teaching consultation can help you solve a specific issue or gather feedback to highlight your strengths and opportunities for improvement. You can also receive consultations about your academic job search. A classroom observation provides important feedback to inform your teaching development, while helping you build your portfolio of evidence of effective teaching. Consultations and observations are free and confidential.
TA Development Course: CETL 8000/2000
Some departments offer the CETL 8000 (and the undergrad equivalent CETL 2000) course to prepare TAs for their role. Students in this course will build a foundation for learner-centered teaching, experience self- and peer-feedback, practice using research-driven teaching techniques, and consider ways teaching can influence your continued career development. Currently, departments offering CETL 8000 courses include Biology, Chemistry, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Math, and Physics.
