Encourage your Students to Keep a Teaching Journal

Ask your GSIs to reflect on the following questions in writing after section:

• What worked well in this class and why?
• What didn't work well and why?
• Where did students seem to have difficulties?
• Were there any noticeable points where the students seemed very engaged?
• What should I change the next time I teach this?

Ask GSIs to volunteer to read an entry from their journals in the weekly meeting. GSIs can learn a lot from sharing their reflections with one another.

• Plan a pre-semester course orientation.
• Know your GSIs.
• Meet weekly with GSIs to talk about teaching.
• Build into the weekly meetings specific pedagogical goals.
• Encourage your students to keep a teaching journal.
• Observe your GSIs in the classroom.
• Encourage GSIs to be videotaped in the classroom.
• Set up a peer observation program.
• Encourage your GSIs to get ongoing feedback on teaching and learning from their students.
• Recommend participation in teaching-related events.
• Help GSIs construct a teaching portfolio.
• Encourage your GSIs to read pedagogical literature.
• View your course as one step in helping GSIs to prepare for their own future roles as professors.
• Take part in the programs for faculty of the GSI Teaching and Resource Center.