A.M. (Agata) Szperl, PhD

Professionalisation Teaching Assistants -Quality Agreements Project

Agata Szperl, project leader

The education of the Faculty of Science and Engineering involves a very large number of teaching assistants (TAs) (yearly > 50 fte), who are employed to facilitate the tutorials and laboratory work. It is very well established that tutors need to have opportunities to gain the skills to perform as facilitators. 

Since 2019, PIE has trained the students in basic didactics to facilitate small-scale education,  summative assessment, and international awareness (collaboration with the DEI team). We offer 3 sessions, each of 3 hours, three times during the academic year.  Based on the feedback gathered between 2022 and 2023 from TAs, teachers, and lecturers we recognize a need to develop STEM-specific training that will be added to the basic part. 

We also concluded that general guidelines for the selection, support, and quality control of TAs at FSE are desirable/needed. We believe that the guideline would allow better alignment between procedures among programs at FSE which will lead to an increase in the quality of the education given at FSE.  

Desired results:

1. To provide advice and guidelines on the selection, training, and evaluation of TAs' knowledge and skills. 

2. To support TAs at FSE: 

• Gain an understanding of the pedagogies and theories related to the design of STEM learning environments, teaching, and evaluation

• Develop knowledge and skills needed to enhance student learning through the implementation of engaging and interactive activities