Education for Democracy

Education for Democracy

A 2-part Workshop Series

November 1 and 22, 2010

November 1 Workshop:
Ross Rudolph, “Transformative student learning: positively changing the way
students feel, think, and act”
Monday, November 1, 2010 (2:30-4:30 pm)
Verney Room
Ross Building South 674
Department of Political Science, York University

Abstract: Transformative learning requires the alignment of three factors:
course learning goals, teaching-learning strategies, and assessment exercises.
This presentation will give concrete examples of how to incorporate these
elements into courses designed to promote active, engaged, critical
citizenship.

Ross Rudolph, University Professor, Department of Political Science, York
University

November 22 Workshop:
Janice Newton, “Democratic Listening: What is it, Why is it important and How
can we teach it?”
Monday, November 22, 2010 (2:30-4:30 pm)
Verney Room
Ross Building South 674
Department of Political Science, York University

Abstract: Critical skills has gained widespread acceptance as an essential
component of student learning at the university level. Though listening is a
crucial component of critical thinking it seldom receives explicit attention as
the foundational skill upon which the other critical skills rest. This workshop
will explore the meaning of democratic listening skills, why democratic
listening is important for student learning and ways we might teach democratic
listening in our courses. Drawing on the most recent research on listening,
including brain science and psychology, I will present several pedagogical
strategies that can be used in classroom activities, assignments, and grading
techniques that reinforce the learning of democratic listening skills. I will
also reflect on the challenges of explicitly integrating democratic listening
skills in Political Science.

Janice Newton, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science and School
for Women's Studies, York University, 3M National Teaching Fellow (2005)

WRITING WORKSHOPS FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE FOUNDATIONS TAs AND GRAD STUDENTS

Foundations TAs and other graduate students are invited to a series of workshops on the challenges of academic writing.  These workshops will be geared towards Social Science TAs and graduate students.  Of course everyone is welcome to attend, however the focus will be on writing in the Social Sciences as opposed to the Humanities or Natural Sciences.

Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Prof. Harriet Rosenberg at: hrosenbe@yorku.ca

The workshops will consider several issues, including but not limited to the following:

• Getting started
• Getting stuck
• Clarity and analysis
• Word choice and tone
• Overwhelmed by data
• …and more.

The aim of these workshops is to support graduate students in their own writing projects as well as facilitating an exploration of the relationship between writing and teaching.

The workshops will be flexible and will aim to address participants’ concerns as they evolve.  Thus the topics below may change and will be updated in future announcements as the group’s work unfolds. The workshops are scheduled for one hour but can be expanded for an additional half hour as needed.

SCHEDULE

1.) 10:30 to 11:30 ……Wednesday October 20^th….. Ross North 732 [Please note the room change!  This is a new location.  We are no longer meeting in South Ross 768]

Topics: Reflections on academic writing (“obsessive creative disorder”); writer’s block/difficulties in getting started; linear vs. recursive writing models and practices; pre-writing, writing for discovery, writing for communication.

2.) 10:30 to 11:30……Wednesday October 27^th… S701 Ross

Topics: Writer’s block/getting stuck in the middle of a project (“mind blank disorder”); big nouns, naming “it” and creating overarching concepts/theory.

3.) 10:30 to 11:30…..Wednesday November 3^rd ….S701 Ross

Topics: Tone, word choice, calibration of verbs and modifiers; flow, organization and transitions.

4.) 10:30 to 11:30…..Wednesday November 10^th ….S701 Ross

Topics: overwhelmed by data (“why are you telling me all this?”); the research trail and journals.

5.) 10:30 to 11:30…. Wednesday November 24^th ….S752 Ross Concluding session: What works, what doesn’t; writing we like and why.

Individual Sessions

In addition, individual students can make appointments for writing support through the Writing Department.  Please come in person to South 329 Ross or call 736-5134 to make an appointment at the Writing Centre.

Fall 2010 CST Workshops

The following are workshops being offered by the Centre for the Support of Teaching. These workshops can be used towards the University Teaching Practicum.

Making the Grade: A session for TA Professional Development Day, Fall reading week

Ros Woodhouse (Academic Director/CST, LA&PS/Writing Department)

• Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2010
• Time: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Location: 1014 TEL

Practicum Category: Assessing student Learning

Have you ever wanted to help make your grading more transparent to students? Spent longer marking than you could afford? Or felt that your feedback was wasted? The objectives of this session are to introduce an evidence informed framework for efficient and reliable grading and feedback. It will make a positive difference in your life and your students’ learning.

Handling Conflict, Anger and Emotion in the Classroom

Diane Zorn (AK/School of Arts & Letters)

• Date: Monday, October 18, 2010
• Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Location: 1014 TEL

Practicum Category: General

This workshop deals with common conflict situations that TAs and faculty encounter in the classroom. Participants will view a pair of short video vignettes and discuss the situations portrayed. Then, using role playing and brainstorming, participants will develop alternative actions for dealing with difficult situations when they happen and for minimizing conflict before it occurs.

Micro-Teaching Sessions

An announcement for this session will be sent to the listserv. To join the listserv, please fill out our listserv form.

• Wednesday, September 22, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Thursday, October 21, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Thursday, November 18, from 2:00 p.m.– 4:00 p.m.

All sessions will be held in room 1009 TEL Building.

TA Conversations Lunches

• Dates:
  • Wednesday, October 27, 2010: How am I doing so far?
  • Wednesday, November 24, 2010: Topic TBA
• Time: 12:00 p.m – 1:30 p.m.
• Location: 1009 TEL

A space in which TAs might discuss amongst colleagues the concerns, issues and challenges they face in their teaching practice.

Really Useful Research on Student Learning, and How To Use It in Your Teaching

Ros Woodhouse (Academic Director/CST, LA&PS/Writing Department)

• Date: Thursday, October 28, 2010
• Time: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Location: 1014 TEL

Practicum Category: Learning Theories and Learning Differences

Key insights from research on how university students learn can be used to increase our students’ learning and their engagement. By the end of the session, you will have learned strategies for fostering conceptual understanding and how to target and address concepts that are especially troublesome for students.

Providing Effective Feedback for Student Writing

John Spencer (Writing Department, Faculty of LA&PS)

• Date: Tuesday, November 2, 2010
• Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Location: 1014 TEL

Practicum Category: Assessing Student Learning

Please note that this workshop can be counted towards first-time Foundations TAs’ seven paid hours of teaching development.

The research shows that most students do not read the comments made in response to their writing. Conversely, most faculty put a great deal of thought and effort into their responses. In this seminar, we will explore ways in which we can encourage students to take the comments on their writing seriously while at the same time making the responding process more efficient.

Diversity in the Classroom

Nythalah Baker (Senior Advisor, Education & Communications, Centre for Human Rights)

Kristina Osborne (Senior Advisor, Education & Communications, Centre for Human Rights)

• Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2010
• Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Location: 1014 TEL

Practicum Category: Ethics, human rights and equity issues in teaching

Abstract:

The objectives of this session are to explain the complaint and resolution processes for the Centre for Human Rights complaints at York and to explore the intersections of diversity and inclusivity in higher education. To this end, participants will engage in a variety of exercises and activities. The session will begin to answer some questions about diversity and inclusion in the York University classroom. The following questions will be discussed and answered: What does ‘valuing diversity’ mean? What is an inclusive classroom? Definitions/examples of harassment and discrimination will be provided.

Information about Centre for Human Rights services and how to use them will also be explained.

Prevent plagiarism before it happens! Tools you can use to promote academic honesty

Sarah Coysh (E-Learning Librarian, Leslie Frost Library)

• Date: Wednesday, November 10, 2010
• Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Location: 1014 TEL

Practicum Category: Assessing Student Learning

As TA′s you will find that many students are unsure about the “ins and outs” of academic honesty. This session will give you the tools you will need to educate your students about academic integrity and help them understand issues of plagiarism, cheating, collusion, impersonation, aiding/abetting, and fabrication/falsification. We will discuss real cases and solve real problems so that you can be prepared. Come with your questions!!

Taking the ‘Duh’ Out of Dossiers: for TAs

Ros Woodhouse (Academic Director/CST, LAPS/Writing Programs)

• Date: Thursday, November 11, 2010
• Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m
• Location: 1014 TEL

Practicum Category: General

Are you planning to apply for an academic position sometime in the future? Do you have a teaching dossier ready to support your application? Or are you looking for a way to document teaching-related skills relevant to other work environments?

This session focuses on how to prepare a dossier when your teaching experience is limited. You will gain a conceptual understanding of the purpose and structure of an effective dossier as well as practical strategies to help you start writing and identifying materials you can include to demonstrate your preparedness to teach.

Micro-Teaching Sessions

Dates:

An announcement for this session will be sent to the listserv. To join the listserv, please fill out our listserv form.

• Wednesday, September 22, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Thursday, October 21, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Thursday, November 18, from 2:00 p.m.– 4:00 p.m.

All sessions will be held in room 1009 TEL Building.

TA Conversations Lunches

• Dates:
  • Wednesday, October 27, 2010: How am I doing so far?
  • Wednesday, November 24, 2010: Topic TBA
• Time: 12:00 p.m – 1:30 p.m.
• Location: 1009 TEL

space in which TAs might discuss amongst colleagues the concerns, issues and challenges they face in their teaching practice.

T&P – Process and Documentation

Terry Carter (Assistant Secretary of the University, University Secretariat)

• Date: Wednesday, December 8, 2010
• Time: 10:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
• Location: 1014 TEL

This T&P session is specifically geared for full-time faculty who will be coming up for tenure and/or promotion to Associate Professor in the next few years. We will discuss the details of the T&P process, its documentation requirements, and available resources. There will be ample opportunity for questions throughout the session.

Taking the ′Duh′ out of Dossiers: A Session for Faculty

Ros Woodhouse (Academic Director/CST, LA&PS/Writing Department)

• Date: Wednesday, December 8, 2010
• Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Location: 1014 TEL

Practicum Category: General

The session will help you to prepare a teaching dossier to support your application for Tenure and/or Promotion. You will gain a conceptual understanding of the purpose and structure of an effective dossier as well as practical strategies to help you start writing and identifying materials to include.

Just-in-time Course Design

Ros Woodhouse (Academic Director/CST, LA&PS/Writing Department)

• Date: Tuesday, December 14, 2010
• Time: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Location: 1014 TEL

Practicum Category:

Are you teaching a new (to you) course on short notice? Are you thinking of making last-minute changes to your course, but not sure whether you have time? If so, you are warmly invited to attend our just-in-time session on quick starting your course.

Attending this practical and interactive one-day session will help you with the essentials of planning a successful course. It will help you to:

• make key decisions about the design of your course
• prepare your course outline
• identify strategies to keep your workload manageable now and during your course

Just-in-time Course Design welcomes all members of the York teaching community – faculty members and contract faculty who need to plan a course that starts this winter.

Foundations Program Resource Guide

Resources for Foundations Teaching Assistants:  

Coordinators of the Foundations Program: 

Social Science:  Prof. Harriet Rosenberg, hrosenbe@yorku.ca

Humanities: Prof. Stanley Tweyman, stweyman@yorku.ca

Teaching Development Graduate Assistants (TDGAs):

TDGAs organize teaching development workshops for TAs and are available to talk to you about any questions or concerns you may have about teaching.

Humanities: Candace Iron, candace@yorku.ca

Social Sciences: Lee Kuhnle, lckuhnle@yorku.ca

Social Sciences: Carolina Crewe, ccrewe@yorku.ca

Foundations Coordinator TDGA: Carla Ionescu, carlyionescu@gmail.com

Administrative Assistants (Foundations Program):

Social Science: Karishma Karim, kkarimk@yorku.ca

Humanities: Savitri Ramjatten, ramjats@yorku.ca

Centre for the Support of Teaching (CST):

CST provides a variety of workshops, discussion groups, forums and programming for TAs and faculty.  The centre also has a certification program in university teaching for graduate students (University Teaching Practicum – UTP), provides a graduate course on university teaching and learning (UTAL 5000.03), hosts TA Day and organizes the Teaching Development Graduate Assistant (TDGA) Program.  In addition to these services, the centre has a resource library and staff are available for consultation.

Contact information:

cst@yorku.ca

www.yorku.ca/cst

416-736-5754

1050 TEL

CUPE 3903:

CUPE 3903 represents teaching assistants, contract faculty and graduate assistants at York University.  The union provides dental, drug, vision care and extended health benefits, is a source for workload and overwork information and advocacy and provides funds in support of research, teaching and professional development.

Contact information:

cupe3903@tao.ca

www.cupe3903.tao.ca

416-736-5154

104 East Office Building

 Academic Resources for Undergraduate Students:

 

ESL Open Learning Centre (ESL-OLC):

The ESL-OLC provides programs and assistance related to language needs of ESL students, including workshops, small group learning, independent language learning using print and multimedia materials, and individual tutoring.

Contact information:

www.yorku.ca/eslolc/

eslolc@yorku.ca

416-736-2100 ext. 22940

116 Atkinson College

Writing Department:

The Writing Department provides credit courses and, through its Writing Centre, one-to-one and small group instruction.  Students can also submit drafts to the e-tutor service online to receive feedback on their writing.

Contact information: 

http://www.yorku.ca/laps/writ/

S329 Ross Building

416-736-5134

TAs wishing to contact someone about a class visit or for information on how the Department operates should contact Beverley Giblon, Assistant Director, giblon@yorku.ca

York University Libraries:

The library provides services such as “Ask a Librarian” Live Chat and numerous workshops to aid students during the research process.  To learn more, visit the library webpage at http://beta.library.yorku.ca.

The Learning Commons

Scott Library will be offering programs that partner with other campus services to assist students in areas such as research, writing, learning skills and computer support. The Learning Commons (http://www.library.yorku.ca/ccm/Home/learning-commons.en) will be a dynamic, collaborative space designed to bring together a variety of resources and services to support students’ learning needs.

YULearn (http://www.yorku.ca/yulearn/) is a gateway to York University’s extensive resources to support students’ research, writing and critical skills development. The goal of this site is to enhance student educational experiences and preparedness for the future.  The site offers links to important information in the following areas: Library Research, University Skills, Writing, and Subject/Discipline Resources.

Contact information:

http://beta.library.yorku.ca

www.library.yorku.ca/ccm/Home/ResearchAndInstruction/ScottWorkshops.htm

416-736-5150

General Resources for Undergraduate and Graduate Students:

Career Centre:

The centre has a variety of resources including online workshops, job listing websites and provides services such as a résumé critique service, interview practice, workshops and one-on-one career advising.  Of particular interest to graduate students, the career centre reviews C.V.s and dossiers and provides online resources for preparing for an academic career and job search.

Contact information:

www.yorku.ca/careers

career@yorku.ca

416-736-5351

Suite 202, McLaughlin College

Monday to Thursday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (10:00 am – 3:00 pm in Summer )

Centre for Human Rights:

The Centre for Human Rights assists individuals and groups to address and resolve allegations of discrimination and harassment as defined by the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Contact information:

www.yorku.ca/rights/

rights@yorku.ca

416-736-5682

Suite 327, Ross Building South

Centre for Women & Trans People at York U (CWTP):

The centre aims to create a safe, comfortable environment for women and provides services such as peer counseling, referrals and other resources.

Contact information:

www.yorku.ca/ywc

ywc@riseup.net

416-736-2100 ext. 33484

322 Student Centre

Counselling & Disability Services (CDS):

The CDS provides: Personal Counselling Services; Learning Skills Services; and Disability support services for students with documented learning disabilities, mental health disabilities, and physical, sensory and medical disabilities.  All core services are strictly confidential and free of charge for students.

Contact Information:

www.yorku.ca/cds

416-736-5297

N110 Bennett Centre for Student Services (BCSS)

goSafe:

goSafe is a complimentary service which transports community members throughout the campus at numerous “hubs” from 6 pm to 2 am, September to April (8 pm to 2 am, May to August).  Additionally, York Student Safety Officers, by request, can walk you to non hub destinations on campus.

Contact information:

http://www.yorku.ca/gosafe/gosafe.html

416-736-5454 or ext. 5454 during hours of operation

Graduate Students’ Association (GSA):

The Graduate Students’ Association represents full and part time graduate students at York University and provides funding for conferences, skills development, theses and emergency loans.  Additionally, they can offer advice, representation or information for graduate students experiencing academic and/or administrative difficulties.

Contact information:

www.yugsa.ca

gsa@yorku.ca

416-736-5865

325 Student Centre

Sexual Assault Survivor’s Support Line (SASSL):

SASSL provides 24 hour telephone support for survivors of sexual assault, as well as referrals of individuals to other organizations and services.  SASSL also engages in outreach programs to educate the community about sexual violence. 

Contact information:

www.yorku.ca/sassl

416-650-8056

Transgendered, Bisexuals, Lesbians, and Gays at York (TBLGAY):

TBLGAY provides a safe space for queer students to make friends or connections in the community and has many brochures and information on queer organizations.

Contact Information:

www.yorku.ca/tblgay

tblgay@yorku.ca

416-736-2100 ext. 20494

A449 Student Centre

York Federation of Students (YFS):

The York Federation of Students is a student union representing full and part time undergraduates at York.  The YFS acts as an advocate for students on a variety of issues, is a source of information on civic student rights and academic appeals and provides services such as the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) and a health and dental plan.

Contact Information:

http://yfs.ca

yfs@yfs.ca

416-736-5324

336 Student Centre

Your University Mature Students Organization (YUMSO):

YUMSO is an all-volunteer student organization founded in 2004 to help and serve York’s growing mature student population.

Contact information:

www.yorku.ca/yumso/

yumso@yorku.ca

113B Vanier College

For additional resources see: http://www.yorku.ca/cst/grads/tahandbook/resources.html

August 2009 Version

Compiled by Lisa Boucher, Social Science TDGA 2009-2010 (boucherl@yorku.ca)

& Bessie Goldberg, Humanities TDGA 2009-2010 (bessie@yorku.ca)

Revised August 2010: Candace Iron Humanities TDGA 2010 (Candace@yorku.ca)

Winter Workshop Schedule

Those workshops for which Foundations TA’s will be paid if they attend are marked as *****

TEL@York Series: Designing Student Centred, Highly Interactive Online,
Rich Media Courses
Facilitator: Diane Zorn (Administrative Studies & Humanities/LA&PS; Schulich
School of Business)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, January 20, 2010, 2:00 pm — 4:00 pm
LOCATION: 1014 TEL Building
——————————————————————–

Fundamentals of Course Design
FACILITATOR: Ros Woodhouse (Academic Director/CST; Writing Department/LAPS)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, January 21, 2010, 1:00 pm — 4:00 pm
LOCATION: 1014 TEL Building
———————————————————————

*****Working with Moodle as a TA: Opportunities and Observations
FACILITATORS: Anne MacLennan (Communication Studies/LA&PS), Denese Gascho
(Communication & Culture/LA&PS), Irena Knezevic (Social Science and
Communication & Culture/LA&PS) and, Naveen Joshi (Communication Studies and
Communication & Culture/LA&PS)
DATE/TIME: Friday, January 22, 2010, 10:00 am — 12:00 pm
LOCATION: 1014 TEL Building
———————————————————————–

TEL@YORK Series: Using Moodle and Clickers to Engage Students in Large
First-Year Courses
FACILITATOR: Mary Armour (Natural Science/FSE)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 12:00 — 2:00 pm
LOCATION: 1014 TEL Building
————————————————————————

TEL@York Series: A Conceptual Framework with TEL for Learning
Management Accounting or Other Quantitative Courses
FACILITATOR: Gary Spraakman (School of Administrative Studies/LA&PS)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, February 2, 2010, 1:00 pm — 2:30 pm
LOCATION: 1014 TEL Building
————————————————————————-

Selecting and Employing Cases for Student Learning
FACILITATOR: Marie-Helene Budworth (Human Resource Management/LA&PS; Master, New
College/LA&PS)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, February 11, 2010, 1:00 — 3:00 pm
LOCATION: 1014 TEL Building
————————————————————————–

*****Making the Grade
FACILITATOR: Ros Woodhouse (Academic Director/CST; Writing Department/LA&PS)
DATE/TIME: Monday, February 22, 2010, 2:00 — 4:00 pm
LOCATION: 1014 TEL Building
—————————————————————————

*****Improving Student Writing: Classroom Strategies
FACILITATOR: John Spencer (Writing Department/LA&PS)
DATE/TIME: Monday, February 22, 2010, 1:30 — 2:30 pm
LOCATION: 1014 TEL Building
—————————————————————————-

***** Ongoing Teaching Challenges in Foundations Tutorials: A Coffee Hour with
Your Foundations TDGAs
FACILITATORS: Foundations TDGAs: Lisa Boucher, Bessie Goldberg and Candace Iron
TENTATIVE DATE/TIME: Tuesday, February 23, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
TENTATIVE LOCATION: S701 Ross
——————————————————————————

Inaugural TA Conference
DATE/TIME: Thursday, February 18, 2010, 8:30 am — 4:00 pm
LOCATION: TEL Building — Rooms TBA
——————————————————————————

*****Lesson Planning in Foundations Courses
FACILITATORS: Foundations TDGAs: Lisa Boucher, Bessie Goldberg and Candace Iron
TENTATIVE DATE/TIME: Wednesday, March 10, 2:00 – 3:30 pm
TENTATIVE LOCATION: S701 Ross

Teaching and Learning Resources

Recognizing that there isn’t always time to touch base with colleagues when difficult situations arise or to research teaching and learning issues on our own, this section will be dedicated to resources that we hope will be of help. Please email Lee Kuhnle (lckuhnle@yorku.ca), Carolina Crewe (ccrewe@yorku.ca) or Canadace (candace@yorku.ca) with any materials that you feel should be included on this page. We appreciate any input!

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Why They Don’t Get It: Learning from Our Students and Their Writing

by Harriet Rosenberg

Abstract:

This article sets out to unpack the “lost in translation” quandary of teaching critical skills to students who just don’t seem to get it and offers some suggestions about small-scale interventions that course directors and teaching assistants can make to facilitate the learning process.

To read further, click this link: http://pi.library.yorku.ca/ojs/index.php/core/article/view/2269/1475

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So You’re a TA: A Handbook on Teaching and Learning for New TAs at York University

The CST has developed a comprehensive manual for teaching assistants which can be viewed here:  http://www.yorku.ca/cst/grads/tahandbook/index.html

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Resources related to Tutorial Discussion:

Discussion Design
by Ron Sheese

http://www.yorku.ca/rsheese2/dis0

Encouraging Effective Discussion from the First Day of Class

Developed by Teaching Support Services at the University of Guelph

http://www.tss.uoguelph.ca/pdfs/Effective Discussions Handout.pdf

Encouraging Student Participation in Discussion

From Tools for Teaching(1993) by Barbara Gross Davis (The contents of this chapter may not be copied, printed, or distributed in hard copy form without permission)

http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/participation.html

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Power and Safety in the Classroom

Marsh, Charity (2001) “Negotiating Spaces for Women’s Participation in the Classroom” CORE Newsletter, vol. 10 (2)
https://pi.library.yorku.ca/ojs/index.php/core/article/view/2699/1904

West, Melissa (2001) “Pedagogy and Power Relations” CORE Newsletter, vol. 10(2)
https://pi.library.yorku.ca/ojs/index.php/core/article/view/2700/1905

Creating a Safe and Engaging Classroom Climate

University of Winconsin School of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education
http://www.uww.edu/learn/diversity/safeclassroom.php

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