FACULTY RESEARCH PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS CURRENT STUDENTS POST DOCTORAL COURSES CURRENT STUDENTS Introduction Ph.D. Program Graduate Student Handbook Ph.D. Requirements TA Manual Pre-research Seminars Department Rescources Columbia Resources Student Directory Incoming Class Previous Classes M.A. in Biotechnology Introduction Student Handbook Seminars Useful Websites Undergraduate Program Welcome Using the Blackboard TA Manual Introduction What does a TA do in recitation or lab section? What Works and What Doesn't How to Avoid Passivity Preparation Famous Difficulties & Misunderstandings How to Start Class Problem Solving Problems with Numbers Using the Blackboard Explaining How to write on the board Using Diagrams What to write Timing Miscellaneous advice How to write on the board Both words and diagrams should be large and clear. There is lots of big soft chalk in room 500. Use colored chalk as much as possible. If you can't find any, buy some; keep your receipts; and get petty cash to repay you (ask in room 500). When you have filled up the board, erase a large area thoroughly before continuing. Don't keep writing in the corners and edges of your old, filled up board. Use diagrams as well as words (see below). Back to Top Using Diagrams Diagrams and pictures are very helpful, both to you and to the students. A diagram helps the students because it can convey relationships that are almost impossible to put into words. It helps you, because you can refer to it over and over. Once you have the picture on the board, you can point to it and avoid using the technical terms or you can point and use the terms at the same time as reinforcement. So draw as much as you can. Artistic talent is not required, but remember the colored chalk and draw big, clear pictures. To put it another way, drawing allows you to show what you mean in pictures at the same time that you say what you mean in words. So drawing a diagram and explaining it as you go along makes the best use of the board. It is much better than just writing down the words that you say. Back to Top What to write Don't write everything you say on the board. It is good to write all the important points and terms on the board, but it is not necessary to write down all the details. It usually works best to write a term or draw a picture and then explain verbally. Back to Top Timing Drawing carefully, writing clearly, and erasing properly all take time. Don't worry about wasting time. A pause is usually welcome if the general pace is lively. Remember that the students are writing things down, and that they usually are writing more than you are, since they are copying your lists and pictures and taking notes on your explanations. So they sometimes need a pause in order to catch up with you. Back to Top Miscellaneous advice When you are facing the blackboard, stop talking. In other words, don't talk into the blackboard. When you write an important point or term, and then explain, don't stand in front of what you have just written. If your English pronunciation is poor, draw and write more on the board. HOME DIRECTORIES NEWS & EVENTS RESOURCES EMPLOYMENT CONTACT US