Environmental Studies TA Training (Winter 2004)
At this gathering of a dozen graduate student TAs from Environmental Studies courses for this quarter, the striking pattern is that we a generally have the same concerns and problems. The over-riding concern shared by all of us was how to keep your students engaged. While the group you were interested in engaging changed form person to person (quiet students, advanced students, or disinterested students) the problems were generally the same. We shared our experiences and observations and found what we all likely knew deep down, that there is no simple solution, rather we must adapt to the personality of each section. Some quarters the solution may be as simple as injecting some controversy into the discussion and possible playing the "devil's advocate", while others it may require small group work. Sometimes we may need to rely on "cold calling" individuals or requiring students to attend office hours to break down communication barriers in a more personal and safe setting or even the ever-dreaded reminding that their grades depend on their ability to participate in class discussions. In the easiest sections one of these may be sufficient to stimulated active exchange between students and in the most difficult it may require them all. I walked out of this section knowing that our charge as teachers is to recognize when each approach is need and use the least "force" necessary to foster a safe and comfortable environment for our students to open up and share their ideas and feelings with their classmates and counterparts.