All new Teaching Assistants are required to participate in our TA Training Program, which will help you understand the details and the importance of your role as a teaching assistant. All new teaching assistants must attend the TA Training, regardless of prior teaching experience or previous attendance at Rensselaer.
Course Number (Spring 2024)
92049 ADMN-6800-01
When
In person: TBD
Online: Learning Management System (LMS). LMS will remain open until January 19, 2024.
Registration
You will register for the course at https://sis.rpi.edu/, there is no cost to register or attend.
TA Training is for new TAs (graduate students who have never been a TA at Rensselaer) who have received an award/appointment letter from their department. Do not register or join the online course unless you have received a letter from your department. Previous experience at another university does not waive the required training at Rensselaer.
Grading
The TA Training course will appear on your transcript as a zero-credit required course and receive a Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) grade. To earn an “S” grade you must attend the half-day training and complete the required assignments on the Learning Management System (LMS). All components must be completed by the deadline. If this criterion is not met, you will receive a “U” grade and your appointment may be in jeopardy.
English Language Requirement for International Student TAs. Spring 2024 Semester:
New TAs who are international students may be required to complete COMM 1960: Effective Communication for Class Pedagogy, which is a language skill building course. Screening will be based on standard testing scores (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo) or a Webex interview. Students who are required to take the course will be notified via email and asked to register for the course. There is a course fee or approximately $100 for software use.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Graduate Education at: graduate@rpi.edu.
Course Outline
In person meeting:
TBD
Online Component:
- Review the the TA Handbook
- Watch classroom relevant videos and complete the required assignment
- Complete Graduate Student Diversity and Inclusion Percipio Modules
- Understanding and Overcoming Unconscious Bias
- Acting with Diplomacy and Tact