Guidelines for Course Coordinators
The mission of coordinating a course is to organize the course and
instructors, distribute course information to instructors, ensure fair
and equitable treatment across multiple sections of the course, and
help promote the pedagogical training of our graduate TAs.
In the future, the common course web pages will be kept on a separate
account that will be available from each coordinators personal account.
All a coordinator should need to do is make minor adjustments to the
existing page as needed. Outlines will be written without dates so that
they will not need to be changed each semester.
Course Coordinators' Responsibilities for
Math 102-109
- Update the course webpage no later than one
week before classes. The web page should include a syllabus, schedule
of exams, common grading standards, and other general information.
(Coordinators may ask for assistance with the webpage from Kevin,
David, Sarah or Jeff).
- It is preferable that coordinators teach a
section of the course they are coordinating.
- If sections of the course you are coordinating
are taught by new TAs, be available for half a day before semester
starts for mentoring or observing 2-3 of your New TAs through Teaching
Practice. Provide Sarah Glaz earlier that week with a few topics for
New TAs to choose for Teaching Practice (Fall semester only).
- In the week before classes start meet with all
your TAs for the first time, and provide introductory information,
assistance, and directions on teaching the class.
- Create an open and inviting presence so TAs
will feel welcome to approach you with problems that occur with the
class or with their students.
- When possible, coordinators should obtain or
create a set of guidelines and suggestions for teaching the course and
give each TA a copy.
- As needed, coordinators should give clear
(written, if possible) directions on policies and procedures, and
troubleshooting. For example, give tips on how to avoid having students
cheat and how to handle it when they find a student who has cheated,
what procedure to follow should a TA need to miss a class in cases of
emergency. (For questions on academic dishonesty policies and
procedures, please see David Gross).
- Meet all TAs every week for about 30 minutes,
to answer questions, solve problems, double check pace, discuss or show
exams a week before the exam date, provide guidelines for common exams
or similar exams, discuss grading policies, help with teaching
techniques, and more.
- Provide exam grading supervision according to
course and personal preference. Some people give common exams
collectively graded, others prefer similar exams individually graded.
In the later case, coordinators must check the grading curve of each of
their TAs before exams are returned to student. Coordinators should be
kept informed of the exam grades for all sections throughout the
course, including the grades of the final exam and the overall course
grades before they are officially submitted.
- Be in touch with Sarah if you get students
complaints about a TA or observe a problem. Occasionally, and only if
necessary (no more then once a semester) you may be asked to observe
the teaching and provide one of your TAs with advice. (For assistance
and short training in TA observations, please see Sarah).
Course Coordinators' Responsibilities for
Math 112,113,114
- Update the course webpage no later than one
week before classes, but preferably before registration (in March for
fall semester and November for spring semester). The web page should
include a syllabus, schedule of exams, common grading standards,
gateway dates, and other general information. (Coordinators may ask for
assistance with the webpage from Kevin, David, Sarah or Jeff).
- Advise instructors on course policies,
procedures, gateway exams and course content before the semester begins
and as needed during the semester.
- Organize the preparation and grading of common
final exams. This includes maintaining communication among the
instructors as to their progress relative to the syllabus.
- Create an open and inviting presence so
instructors will feel welcome to approach you about teaching the course
and with problems that occur with the class or with their students.
Course Coordinators' Responsibilities for
Math 115, 116
- Update the course webpage no later than one
week before classes. The web page should include a syllabus, schedule
of exams, common grading standards, gateway dates, and other general
information. (Coordinators may ask for assistance with the webpage from
Kevin, David, Sarah or Jeff).
- Advise instructors on course policies,
procedures, gateway exams and course content before the semester begins
and as needed during the semester.
- Organize the preparation and grading of common
exams. This includes maintaining communication among the instructors as
to their progress relative to the syllabus.
- Create an open and inviting presence so
instructors will feel welcome to approach you about teaching the course
and with problems that occur with the class or with their students.
When feasible, organize TA's, post docs, and adjuncts into groups with
a faculty mentor.
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