New TA Programming

As a TA at McMaster, you are a member of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 3906, Unit 1. The CUPE 3906 Unit 1 website has a wealth of resources that will be of value to you in your role as a TA, including the current collective agreement.

As a CUPE Local 3906, Unit 1 employee, you are required to complete 5 hours of mandatory paid training that will include instruction on topics in pedagogy and anti-oppression. The training program includes online asynchronous workshops on Anti-Oppression (2-hours) and TA Professionalism, Rights, and Responsibilities (1-hour). The additional 2 hours of training will be selected from a menu of centrally offered elective online workshops outlined in Avenue to Learn, McMaster’s primary learning management system. The paid training is to be completed once during your employment as a Unit 1 member at McMaster, not once per appointment. 

Self-registration for the training is available through the regulatory training tile in Mosaic. Once registered, the training online asynchronous workshops will be available in Avenue to Learn approximately 15 minutes after registration (between 7am and 9pm). This document outlines how to register for the training. When registering for the training in Mosaic, ensure you select the appropriate training based on your Faculty/Department assignment (e.g., Engineering Paid TA Training). 

For additional information please review the frequently asked questions document.

The McMaster Teaching Assistant Guide offers an introduction to being a TA at McMaster University, providing information to help you fulfill your responsibilities and enhance the quality of the student learning experience. It covers:  

• An overview of Hours of Work contracts, training, and important policies  
• Possible duties you may have in your role as a TA and considerations for working with other members of a teaching team  
• Tips on how to prepare for and run a terrific first tutorial or lab  
• Considerations for being a TA in an online classroom  
• Strategies and resources for creating and maintaining an accessible and inclusive classroom  
• Advice for managing office hours and communicating with students  
• Guidance on assessing student learning and providing feedback  
• Common questions and challenges you may experience and how to address them  
• Ideas about how to get feedback from your students about your teaching style and technique  
• Guidance on creating a teaching portfolio. 

As teaching assistants play a vital role in shaping the student learning experience at McMaster, it’s important that they stay informed about emerging technologies that are transforming the academic landscape. One such development is the rise of generative AI tools, which present both opportunities and challenges in educational settings. To support responsible use of generative AI at McMaster (for students and educators alike), McMaster has introduced a set of Guidelines on The Use of Generative AI in Teaching and Learning. Please see the Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Resources for Teaching Assistants document for an overview of some key guidelines of relevance to TAs.  

As a new Teaching Assistant (TA), there is much you could learn from more experienced TAs. The MacPherson Institute has recorded a series of virtual TA panel videos showcasing experienced TAs from various McMaster Faculties. In the videos, TAs share advice and insights based on their experience. This document provides a link to the videos, as well as a summary for each.  

TAs play a mentorship role in the academic environment. As near-peer guides, they often serve as approachable, relatable supports for students, helping to clarify course content, model effective learning strategies, and provide feedback that fosters growth. Their unique position allows them to bridge the gap between faculty and students.
In addition to mentoring students, experienced TAs can also act as mentors to other TAs. They may offer guidance on good practices for teaching and learning; classroom management; marking efficiently, effectively, and fairly; and navigating institutional policies and expectations. This form of peer mentorship contributes to a more cohesive and supportive instructional team and helps foster a collaborative professional learning culture. 

To learn what mentorship is, explore how mentorship benefits both the mentor and mentee, and hear reflections from experienced McMaster TAs and graduate students who have served as mentors, review Supervising and Mentoring Students: A Resource for TAs and Graduate Students and view the Mentorship videos recorded by the MacPherson Institute.  

Teaching and Learning Supports and Services

• Certificate of Attendance in Professional Development for Teaching – The Macpherson Institute offers the following Certificate of Attendance (CoA) in Professional Development for Teaching. This free certificate is a fully online, asynchronous learning opportunity that offers flexible pathways for learners to develop their understanding of effective post-secondary teaching. You will be able to select a minimum of five modules from a curated list of options to tailor your professional development to your individual interests and goals. To consolidate and demonstrate their growth, learners also complete one culminating assessment from a list of options, empowering them to showcase their learning in a format that best supports their career aspirations.
• Teaching Observation – With this service, you will receive feedback on your teaching from a staff member at the MacPherson Institute. Following a consultation to identify areas of focus (e.g., you might be interested in feedback on your engagement strategies, presentation style, content organization, or integration of educational technologies), a MacPherson Institute staff member will observe one of your classes of your choosing. Thereafter, they will consult with you a second time to discuss their observations and support you in identifying next steps to enhance your teaching and the course. To request an observation, please use the MacPherson Institute Request Form. 
• Teaching and Learning Consultations – The MacPherson Institute offers one-on-one and teaching team consultations on a range of topics, including consultation and resources on specific teaching methods and course design; and guidance or feedback on teaching portfolio development, including teaching philosophy statement and evidence of teaching effectiveness. To request a consultation, you can use the MacPherson Institute Request Form or reach out directly to your Faculty Liaison Contact. 
  

Teaching and Learning Resources

In addition to the Teaching Assistant Guide, you may find it helpful to consult the following resources: 

• Learning Catalogue – The Learning Catalogue is a collection of asynchronous online modules that cover a wide range of teaching and learning topics related to instructional skills; educational technology; equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility; and professional development. 
• Avenue to Learn Knowledge Base – The Avenue to Learn Knowledge Base provides tutorials, FAQs, update notifications, and other helpful tools pertaining to Avenue to Learn. 
• Collecting Student Feedback: A Resource for Teaching Assistants – This resource outlines why a TA should collect student feedback, tips for preparing students to offer feedback, sample qualitative and quantitative questions a TA may draw from, and what a TA should do with the student feedback they receive.

Subscribe to the MacPherson Memo, our weekly teaching and learning newsletter that includes timely information about events and conferences, professional development opportunities and other teaching and learning updates and information.