Student Partnership Approach (SPA) to Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Training and Support

de Sousa, E. and Odedra, S. (2020) Student Partnership Approach (SPA) to Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Training and Support. ViCEPHEC2020, 17-21 Aug 2020.

Abstract

GTAs are the most neglected educators in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Consequently, GTA Training is the subject of numerous papers and studies, where departments and universities, alike, try to come to grips with the complex nature of the human, physical, and financial resources at hand. This final year BSc Chemistry research project is an investigation into the training, support and feedback given to GTAs within the School of Chemistry at the University of Glasgow focusing on the GTA perspective. It was developed to feed into existing good practice with the aim of developing competent and confident early career educators. The SPA promotes self-evaluation and self-reflection by putting GTAs in the driver's seat of their own training development. SPA places student-teachers (GTAs) and undergraduate students at the forefront of decision making and active learning. Historically, the GTA Training curriculum was decided by higher ups based on existing constructs. Most research into GTA Training is theoretical or seeks to evaluate the success of an existing or newly developed programme. In contrast, by giving GTAs agency over their learning journey, this study firmly places GTAs centre stage in the design and development of their own bespoke training. This project offers HEIs an alternative, efficient, and practical way to approach GTA Training development.

• Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item
• Status: Published
• Refereed: No
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Odedra, Dr Smita
• Authors: de Sousa, E., and Odedra, S.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry

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