The Messages We Send (To Our Teaching Assistants)

• Developing Assignments. Some professors prefer to write their own exams and/or paper assignments, whereas others like to collaborate with their TAs in crafting questions. No matter how the assignments are developed, professors should explain the rationale to their TAs. Is the central goal having students use primary documents? Is it to assess their command of the readings? Is it to see how well they apply particular theories to problem sets? Is it to test their knowledge of particular facts? If so, which ones? Why? This kind of information is helpful for TAs developing their own teaching practice and trying to assist students in their sections.

• Assessment. Teaching Assistants are expected to do the vast majority of grading, but professors can provide invaluable assistance by helping establish grading standards and supporting TAs in cases of appeal. Some professors provide TAs with an answer key or a detailed grading rubric to help ease the grading burden, whereas others prefer to meet with their TAs over pizza and grade some exams together. Not only do TAs feel more supported by their professor in these situations, but they can be more confident that their messages to undergraduates reflect the messages the professor wants sent.

From The Messages We Send, Sarah Manekin, University of Pennsylvania