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GSI Teaching & Resource Center
University of California, Berkeley

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Frequently Asked Questions: Once the Semester Begins

4. What should I do if my first few classes/sections don’t go well?

All teachers, new and experienced, face challenges in the classroom. If your first few class meetings are not going as well as you'd like, speak with the course instructor or coordinator. He or she and other graduate students staffing the course will almost certainly have had similar experiences and will be able to give you some practical advice. Your department may also have a Head GSI or Professional Developer whom you can consult for ideas. These "in-house" resources, together with advanced GSIs, can answer your questions and help you identify some possible ways of trying things differently. Another source of expert assistance can be found at the Graduate Division's GSI Teaching and Resource Center (642-4456 or gsi@berkeley.edu). The Center offers one-on-one consultations, classroom observations, workshops, and many other programs that can help you develop your teaching skills while at Berkeley. (See the Center's list of programs and services on this website.) You don't need to reinvent the wheel. The Center's library and articles provided in the annual Fall Conference Resource Reader can assist you in getting students actively engaged in your class. You can also take charge of improving your teaching by utilizing some of the practical strategies outlined in the article "Five Ways to Improve Your Teaching," also on this website.

5. What can I do to get a sense of how my sections are going?

Many new GSIs are unsure about their teaching performance. In fact, all new teachers inevitably hit some rough spots early in their development. Despite the urge to keep one's questions private for fear of being judged, it can be extremely helpful to discuss problem areas with other GSIs. Once you view teaching as an ongoing learning process, you realize that any problems you are encountering have been experienced by nearly everyone in your department at one time or another. Developing an open attitude toward your teaching and toward feedback about your teaching makes it easier to identify and develop your strengths and work on your limitations. Two ways to gather feedback are (1) through the use of mid-semester (or earlier) assessment techniques (consult "Five Ways to Improve Your Teaching" article on this site, or contact the GSI Teaching and Resource Center for easy and effective ways of getting feedback from your students); and (2) by scheduling a videotaped recording of one of your sections and a follow-up consultation, a service offered free of charge by the GSI Teaching and Resource Center (642-4456 or gsi@berkeley.edu).

6. Suppose I want to make overheads or slides to complement my teaching, or want to show a film or videotape in class?

Many departments have their own audio-visual service and provide equipment for their own GSIs. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself early in the semester with these services. If the class you are teaching is on the opposite side of campus from your department or if your department does not have its own equipment, contact Educational Technology Services (642-2535 or avrequests@berkeley.edu). It is possible, with advance notice, to have audiovisual equipment delivered to your classroom.

7. How can the library help me create more successful research experiences for my students?

The library offers a wide range of services to support teaching, from advice on creating effective research assignments to customized library instruction sessions for your students. If you would like to learn more about the library’s instructional services, refer to "Library Services for Classroom Instructors" and "Designing Effective Library Research Experiences" found in our Resource Reader, available at our office. To schedule a library instruction session for your class, contact the Teaching Library (643-9959) or the library liaison for your department. Contact information for library liaisons can be found at http://library.berkeley.edu/AboutLibrary/liaisons.html.

8. Are there any funds available for me to implement projects or activities that will enhance student learning in my class?

Yes. The GSI Teaching and Resource Center (642-4456 or gsi@berkeley.edu) encourages and supports creative teaching ideas that enhance student learning through its Course Improvement Grant program. GSIs can apply for up to $300 per semester. "Guidelines for GSI Course Improvement Grants" and the application form for these grants are included on this Web site. With faculty sponsorship, grants are also available through the Office of Educational Development (642-6392 or avcsled@berkeley.edu).

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