Each semester, the GSI Center sponsors a campuswide teaching conference to prepare first-time GSIs for teaching. On this page you will find highlights from the most recent teaching conference, which took place on January 24, 2014.
Keynote address by Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton: Growing Our Students’ Intelligence
Comments from GSIs Attending the Conference
“This conference brought up a lot of issues I hadn’t thought of and gave me a lot of ideas for the upcoming semester.” (Mechanical Engineering)
“It was really interesting and engaging. Filled with useful tips.” (Public Policy)
“The opening lecture was great. Such discussions of pedagogy [and the] psychology of learning are quite useful.” (History)
“Feeling more confident. I’m glad this is a requirement.” (City Planning)
“Very informative and productive.” (Anthropology)
Conference Schedule
9:00–9:45 Plenary Session
Opening Remarks – Linda von Hoene, Director, GSI Teaching & Resource Center
Welcome – Andrew Szeri, then Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate Division, UC Berkeley
Faculty Keynote Presentation by Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton, Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Greater Good Science Center
10:00–12:00 Discipline-Cluster Workshops Part 1
Workshops addressed getting started as a GSI, conducting the first day of class, strategies to enhance learning, and time management
12:45–2:00 Discipline-Cluster Workshops Part 2
Continuation of morning workshops
2:10–3:30 Focus Sessions
Sessions included GSI Reflections on Teaching, Facilitating Discussion Sections, Giving Oral Presentations, Strategies for Effective and Efficient Grading, and more