GTA/IA Orientation

All graduate students who will be newly appointed Graduate Teaching or Instructional Assistants (GTA/IAs) are required to participate in the university-wide TA Orientation (TAO) prior to teaching their first semester. TA Orientation is an important part of the University’s Graduate TA/IA Training Program and will help to ensure your success as a TA at USC.

GTA/IA Orientation

All graduate teaching and instructional assistants who have any kind of instructional or teaching assistance responsibilities must participate in Graduate TA/IA Orientation, including GAs or GRAs who assist in any teaching role (grading, office hours, proctoring, etc.) These workshops provide concise, helpful information, resources and guidance on developing your teaching skills as you prepare to teach or assist your professor of record.

GTA/IA Orientations consist of four parts:

Part A is in-person and requires advance registration.
Part B is synchronous online (attend online virtually in Blackboard) and requires advance registration.
Parts C & D include asynchronous online modules and can be done on your own at any time prior to the start of classes.

Students can register and participate in the Part A & B components in any order, but must complete all four parts for successful completion of GTA/IA Orientation.

A GTA/IA Orientation Information Sheet will be provided to registrants with more detailed instructions regarding all 4 parts upon registration.

NOTE: Deadline for Fall 2024 GTA/IA Orientation registration is Monday, July 29, 2024. Advance registration is required for parts A & B.

Students must make every effort to attend Parts A and B on the date listed below. GTA/IAs cannot assume their teaching responsibilities without having completed the Orientation. Any student who misses GTA/IA Orientation must contact Michelle Hardee, GTA/IA Training Program Manager at [email protected] or 803-777-1975.

Fall 2024 GTA/IA Orientations
	Modality	Registration	Topics
Part A	In Person	Required	Being a GTA/IA at USC
Part B	Online Synchronous	Required	Concurrent Sessions – Experienced GTA/IA Panels
Part C	Asynchronous Online Modules	No	Policies and Campus Resources
Part D	Asynchronous Online Videos	No	GTA/IA Role Responsibilities

Fall 2024 Orientation Dates and Times
Date	Wednesday, August 7	Thursday, August 8	Tuesday, August 13	Wednesday, August 14
Location	Russell House Ballroom	Russell House Ballroom	Gambrell Room 153	Gambrell Room 153
Part A In Person Advance Registration Required	9 - 12 noon In Person	1 - 4 pm In Person	9 - 12 noon In Person	1 - 4 pm In Person
Part B Online Advance Registration Required	1 - 4 pm Blackboard Collaborate (link to be provided)	9 - 12 Noon Blackboard Collaborate (link to be provided)	1 - 4 pm Blackboard Collaborate (link to be provided)	9 - 12 Noon Blackboard Collaborate (link to be provided)

Workshop Components Descriptions

Part A

Being a GTA/IA at USC
In Person
REGISTRATION REQUIRED

USC policies (grading, attendance, etc.)
Pre-semester Checklist for new GTA/IAs, Responsibilities/Expectations of new GTA/IAs
Professionalism
Interacting with Students, Dealing with Disruptive Behavior
Networking / Meet & Greet

Part B

Concurrent Sessions: Q&A with Experienced GTA/IA Panels from Schools/Colleges
Synchronous Online
REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Online synchronous Q&A panel sessions in which experienced graduate TAs, IAs, and GAs provide guidance, recommendations, tips, etc. for new GTA/IAs and answer any questions they may have. Sessions are divided into general disciplinary groupings: Humanities, Social Sciences, and STEM.

Part C

Policies and Campus Resources
Asynchronous Online Modules

Each topic includes 15-20 minute video with quiz and resources – successful completion of all modules required
Content links hosted through the TA Orientation Blackboard Organization - access will be available after July 29, 2024.

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Discrimination & Harassment
Disability Services
Student Health and Well-Being
Academic Integrity
Student Care and Outreach
Law Enforcement and Safety
The Graduate School Resources
Center for Teaching Excellence Opportunities for Professional Development

Part D

GTA/IA Roles and Responsibilities
Asynchronous Online Videos

Requirements for Part D include watching two videos along with completion of the included reflection prompt. Each video (topics listed below) is approximately 15-20 minutes.
Content links hosted through the TA Orientation Blackboard Organization - access will be available after July 29, 2024.
Graduate Directors, Department Chairs, and Professors of Record may wish to advise their GTA/IAs as to which videos to watch.

Video Topics

Basics of Lesson Planning for Any Kind of Class
Blackboard Grading Workflow: How to Grade Efficiently in Blackboard
Building Community in the First Week of Class
For Experienced Instructors: Teaching Resources, Course Development and Planning Help
Getting Started with Blackboard Ultra Course View
Blackboard Ultra Course View Gradebook: A Deeper Look
Grading Strategies and Recommendations
How to Lead a Good Laboratory Section
How to Lead a Good Discussion Session
Ideas for Student Engagement and Active Learning
TA'ing for Large Classes F2F and Online
Time Management, Stress Management, and Self-Care

PLEASE NOTE Regarding your registration, confirmation of registration will be by email within a week of registration receipt. If you have any questions or problems, please contact Michelle Hardee, GTA/IA Training Program Manager at [email protected].

Register for Fall 2024 TA Orientation

All international graduate students who will be newly appointed TAs/IAs must additionally participate in an International TA Training speaking assessment practice workshop (ITA Workshop) and subsequently have their English proficiency assessed (ITA Assessment) through the English Programs for Internationals (EPI) office prior to the start of classes. For questions regarding International Teaching Assistant (ITA) training and assessment, English speaking/writing proficiency requirements or courses, or International Student Orientations, please contact the following:

• International Teaching Assistant (ITA) training workshop and assessment dates, workshop agenda and microlesson assignment, IELTS and iBT score exemptions, or other ITA questions: [email protected], 803-777-3867, or visit their ITA Workshop and Assessment page.

• English for Foreign Students (ENFS) requirements, courses, and other questions: [email protected] or visit the English for Foreign Students page

• International Student Services (ISS) Orientation dates and other information: [email protected], 803-777-7461, or visit their International Student Orientation page.

Center for Teaching Excellence