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Teaching Conferences

Fall 2012 Teaching Conference for First-Time GSIs

You’ve just been appointed for the first time as a GSI at UC Berkeley. . . .

Now what? Come to the Fall 2012 Teaching Conference for New GSIs to find out!

Discipline-Cluster Workshops led by experienced GSIs address pressing questions such as how to get started as a GSI, what to do on your first day of teaching and beyond, practical strategies to enhance learning, time management, and more.
 
Focus Sessions on specialized teaching topics such as giving oral presentations, using bSpace, facilitating effective discussions, and grading are also offered.

Here’s what GSIs have said about the conference:

“Great suggestions; got everyone to participate; kept us organized and on track. I learned tons of tips from someone that was a GSI recently."
– Chemistry, Fall 2010

"This workshop exceeded expectations and I feel much more prepared for my first week." 
– Social Sciences, Spring 2011

"Plenty of great advice in a short period of time."
– Physical Sciences, Spring 2011

“Allowed space and time for in-depth conversation and questions. Changed preconceived notions I had about teaching, provided excellent pragmatic solutions for classroom situations."
– Humanities, Fall 2010

For more detailed information on the conference, please see below.

Teaching Conference Information

The Center sponsors a campuswide teaching conference each semester to prepare new GSIs for teaching. All GSIs teaching for the first time at Berkeley are required to attend.

The fall conference takes place on the Thursday and Friday before classes start. The first day (Thursday) is for new international GSIs and addresses teaching in the U.S. classroom. The second day (Friday) consists of intensive teaching preparation for all new GSIs, international and domestic.

The spring conference takes place on the Friday before classes begin.

The Fall 2012 Teaching Conference will take place on Thursday, August 16, and Friday, August 17, 2012. The schedule for both conference days appears below.

Register here for:
Thursday, August 16
(for all new international GSIs)

Friday, August 17
(for all new domestic and international GSIs )

Fall 2012 Teaching Conference Schedule

Thursday, August 16, 2012
For New International GSIs

8:30–9:00 Registration: Dwinelle Hall Lobby

9:00–10:30 Plenary Session: 145 Dwinelle Hall
Faculty Keynote Presentation
International GSI Panel

10:30–10:45 Break

10:45–11:45 Focus Sessions: Dwinelle Hall
GSIs choose one of the following workshops:
  Being an Undergraduate at UC Berkeley
  Pronunciation for Teaching
  The Language of the Classroom
  Teaching in an Unfamiliar Institutional and Cultural Context

11:45–12:30 Lunch

12:30–1:30 Focus Sessions: Dwinelle Hall
GSIs choose one of the following workshops:
  Being an Undergraduate at UC Berkeley
  Pronunciation for Teaching
  The Language of the Classroom
  Teaching in an Unfamiliar Institutional and Cultural Context

1:40–3:00 Teaching Practice: Dwinelle Hall

Register here for:
Thursday, August 16
(for all new international GSIs)

Friday, August 17, 2012
For All New Domestic and International GSIs

8:30–9:00 Registration: Wheeler Hall Lobby

9:00–9:50 Plenary Session: Wheeler Auditorium
Opening Remarks – Linda von Hoene, Director, GSI Teaching & Resource Center
Welcome – Andrew Szeri, Dean of the Graduate Division
Faculty Keynote Presentation
(Registration after 9:50 a.m. will be in Dwinelle Hall Lobby)

9:50–10:00 Break

10:00–12:00 Discipline-Cluster Workshops (Part 1): Dwinelle Hall and Wheeler Hall
Workshops address getting started as a GSI, conducting the first day of class, strategies to enhance learning, and time management

12:00–12:45 Lunch

12:45–2:00 Discipline-Cluster Workshops (Part 2): Dwinelle Hall and Wheeler Hall
Continuation of morning workshops

2:00–2:10 Break

2:10–3:30 Focus Sessions: Dwinelle Hall and Wheeler Hall
Sessions include GSI Reflections on Teaching, Facilitating Discussion Sections, Giving Oral Presentations, Strategies for Effective and Efficient Grading, and more

Register here for:
Friday, August 17
(for all new domestic and international GSIs )