The Teaching Assistants’ Competencies (TAC) Certificate provides the essential concepts required for teaching in higher education, whether in person or online (synchronous, asynchronous, or hybrid), in post-secondary or other types of programs. Taking a learning-centered approach to teaching, you will learn the essential elements you need to begin in your teaching assistant (TA) role. Further, you will be introduced to educational terminology and how to teach a diverse community of learners.
Throughout the asynchronous certificate, you will be assessed through online quizzes and assignments that you will upload. To attain the certificate, you must pass all quizzes at 100%. You may retake quizzes as many times as needed to attain a pass. For all assignments, you will receive feedback from Dr. Cynthia Korpan. All materials required to successfully complete the course are provided through this learning management system.
Upon completion of the certificate, you will achieve these competencies.
You will demonstrate your ability to bring the following to your teaching assistant (TA) work:
• Skills and attributes from previous work and disciplinary experience
• Your personal teaching identity
• Discipline specific content knowledge related to the course assigned
• Pedagogical knowledge and teaching strategies suitable to duties assigned
• A learning-centered approach to your teaching assistant work
• Knowledge of what is required to perform duties assigned
• How to navigate challenges
• Demonstrate professionalism
• Develop strategies for effective interpersonal communication
Certificate Learning Outcomes (CLO)
By the end of the certificate, you will:
- Be more confident and clearer in your teaching assistant role.
- Recognize the disposition and characteristics you bring to your teaching.
- Identify strategies for implementing active learning and responding to students’ questions appropriately.
- Exercise strategies to assist you in setting up the conditions necessary to develop an inclusive learning-centered classroom.
- Practice strategies for providing effective formative or summative feedback, designing and incorporating a grading rubric, and efficiently managing your time when grading.
- Recognize best practices for flexible learning environments to support student learning.
- Intentionally cultivate and expand your teacher identity through reflection, resources, and other aspects of the certificate.
