The 2025 Winter GATAcademy is a one day event which will be held online on January 3rd. Workshops are scheduled all day from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Presented by the GATA Network, Winter GATAcademy offers professional development workshops for current and prospective UWindsor graduate assistants (GAs) and teaching assistants (TAs). Workshops feature material and activities for both new and experienced GAs/TAs.
Registration is FREE. Participants register for each workshop separately.
**Links to the sessions will be emailed to participants the day before the scheduled workshops.**
**STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS TO COME**
Information provided to register for workshops may be used for program evaluation, program improvement, and research, but will always be deidentified. If data is used for research purposes, REB clearance will be sought. If you do not want your data used for research purposes, please contact Dr. Laura Chittle ctl@uwindsor.ca.Friday, January 3, 2025
9:30 AM
Grading Greatness: A GA/TA's Guide to Assessment and Feedback
Schedule:
Friday, January 03, 2025, 09:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location:
Online
Instructors:
Melissa Paré,
Mark Potter
This workshop will introduce GAs/TAs to giving effective feedback when grading assignments. An overview of both positive and negative feedback will be discussed. We will go over how to communicate with your assigned professor, understanding the assignments/rubric, and knowing your audience. We will also talk about the importance of being timely, consistent, and objective when grading. We will be going over tips and tools to help you grade more effectively and efficiently. Challenges and opportunities for improvement will also be discussed. Questions will be welcomed throughout the presentation, as well as at the allotted time at the end of the workshop.
11:00 AM
Supporting student success: Using social and emotional teaching approaches in your GA/TA role
More details coming soon!
1:00 PM
Brighten Up Your Teaching: Tips and Tricks for GAs/TAs in Brightspace
This session will provide an overview of key Brightspace tools and topics for GAs and TAs in the online environment. Our focus will be on communicating with students (announcements, discussion board), and grading the different types of assessments found on Brightspace (tests, assignments, and discussion boards) in addition to using the Grade Centre and related features. For optimum experience, you should be using Google Chrome for this session.
2:30 PM
Connecting with Students: Promoting Effective Communication and Building Rapport
Schedule:
Friday, January 03, 2025, 02:30 PM – 03:30 PM
Location:
Online
Instructors:
Jake Ouellette,
Brennen Siemens
This interactive workshop is designed to equip GAs and TAs with the skills and information needed to build strong rapport and communicate effectively with students. This workshop will focus on strategies to create a positive environment, foster trust, and enhance student engagement and interaction through clear and inclusive communication. By the end of the workshop, GA/TAs will have practical tools to improve communication and establish connections with students.