CONSULTING WITH GSIs, OBSERVING CLASSES, AND COLLECTING STUDENT FEEDBACK

This foundational interactive workshop is designed for Graduate Student Instructional Consultants (GSICs), Engineering Teaching Consultants (ETCs), Graduate Student Mentors (GSMs) and GSI Coordinators to learn about effective techniques for consulting with GSIs about their teaching. We will discuss the various roles a consultant can play in the process of consultation, the stages in a typical consultation, and how to effectively support GSIs with varying levels of experience. During the workshop, there will be time for participants to reflect on consultation approaches, practice these approaches, and ask questions.

Participants will also be provided with a framework for observing their GSIs' classes and collecting student feedback. Using role plays and interactive activities, participants will learn how to set up classroom visits, collect objective data during an observation and use the consultation process to help GSIs be more reflective about their teaching. Participants will also learn how to collect midterm feedback from students (MSF) using small-group discussions and how to use that feedback in a consultation with the GSI. Although we will focus on observations and MSFs in the in-person classroom, we will also share ideas for how these can be implemented in a remote setting.

This in-person workshop will require participants to complete asynchronous pre-work prior to the session. For questions regarding this workshop, please contact Dr. Ronit Ajlen (ronitg@umich.edu).

RUNNING PRACTICE TEACHING SESSIONS

In a practice teaching (PT) or microteaching session, instructors deliver a brief lesson (e.g., 10-20 minutes) to their peers. Participants in a practice teaching session offer each other feedback on their practice lessons while simultaneously reflecting on their own teaching. Thus, in this facilitator training workshop, participants will learn how to run an online practice teaching session, with a particular focus on how to manage time and give constructive feedback to instructors. We will discuss how to provide feedback that aligns with the teaching format of each individual instructor, and also brainstorm strategies for facilitating challenging scenarios that might arise during a PT session. Although our conversation will focus on remote PT facilitation, this session will also fully prepare participants to facilitate in-person PT. This synchronous workshop (offered through Zoom) will require participants to complete asynchronous pre-work prior to the training session.

COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE LUNCHES FOR THOSE SUPPORTING GSI TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

In response to recent requests, CRLT is excited to offer a new monthly Community of Practice (CoP) for GSMs, faculty, and staff who directly support GSI training and development across the university. A CoP is a regular gathering space for people with similar roles and common interests to meet and discuss successes and challenges across units (see Wegner & Traynor). These CoP meetings will all be in-person, with lunch included. While participants are encouraged to attend as many sessions as they are able, they are not required to commit to attending all meetings in order to join. Meetings will be lightly facilitated, with emphasis on opportunities for participants to talk informally with peers in small groups and share strategies and resources.