Professors: Jason Harlow, Ania Harlick and Brian Wilson

Senior TAs: Darby Bates and Victoria Flood

The goals of this mini-course are to practice talking up in front of a small group, and discuss the challenges and joys of public speaking. We believe that oral presentation skills are important to your future.  These skills do not come naturally, but can be practiced and learned. You will be paid for 8 hours as a TA for completing this course.

You will be required to attend 4 in-person meetings spread out over Sep. 4 - 27, 2024 (5 hours in-person) plus there are three hours of preparation and interaction with online materials.

• Week 1: 1 hour Microteaching Minicourse Orientation on Wednesday Sep. 4, at 1:00pm in MP126
• Week 2: First presentation. Each group will meet for 2 hours during the week of Sep. 9 – 13
• Week 3: 1 hour meeting to discuss first talks
• Week 4: Second presentation. Each group will meet for 1 hour during the week of Sep. 23 – 27

First Presentation in Groups of Four [2 hours + 1 hour prep]

• You will present for 10 minutes, then review a video of your presentation, then discuss ideas for improvement; this is a 30 minute process
• You will be an audience member [role-playing a student] for three other presentations and discussions. As an audience member you will be asked to use what you are seeing to reflect on ways to improve your own presentation.
• Head TAs will give you all formal feedback that is private for you

Second Big Meeting [1 hour]

• Head TAs will lead a discussion about teaching tips and techniques and things you can include for your second presentation

EDI Online Component [1 hour]

• Review EDI materials provided online and participate in feedback

Second Presentation in Groups of Four [1 hours + 1 hour prep]

• You will present for 10 minutes, then discuss fine-tuning ideas
• Your presentation will be recorded and a video made available to you, but it will not be reviewed
• Head TAs will give individual formal feedback that will be shared with Jason and Ania, who will summarize results for Pekka Sinvervo and Matt Russo
• This may have an impact on future TA assignments that you get

Outside links:

School of Graduate Studies

Graduate Wellness Services at SGS

Centre for Graduate Professional Development (CGPD)

Teaching Assistants’ Training Program

CUPE 3902 Unit 1 (you are now a member)