The following guide has been designed to assist Development Leaders and their Graduate Coordinators as they prepare for the departmental component of the Graduate Student Enhancement Program. The guide is organized by day with each day titled according to its suggested programming theme. Beneath each day's main headings are topics which we believe are vital to new graduate students and assistants to enable them to meet their new assistantship and academic program requirements. Overall, the topics are not intended to represent steadfast solutions. Rather, they are meant to be flexible -- to meet each department's needs and special interests. Our aim has been to enhance department-level programming by synthesizing information from past GradSTEP participant evaluations, graduate assistant experiences, and instructional supervisor interviews.

Please keep in mind that any expenses associated with departmental programming activities are the responsibility of the individual department.

Monday, 10:30 A.M.- 3:30 p.m.

WELCOME & PREVIEW

Ice Breakers and Personnel Introductions

• Chairperson and/or Director
• Graduate Coordinator
• Academic Advisors
• Department Secretaries
• Instructional Supervisor, if other than Development Leader
• Returning Graduate Assistants/Research Assistants
• Other:

Overview of the Week's Events - Develop and distribute a calendar of events for the week

• Expectations of the GA and students in your department (Tuesday)
• Techniques to fulfill mission (Thursday)
• Practice of the techniques (Thursday and Friday)
• Review of the week (Friday)
• Discuss or schedule special testing requirements and when testing will take place
  
• Announce library sessions: locations and times found on GradSTEP session list
• Other:

Announce Where/How to . . .

• Register for Parking through MyBGsu
• Where are the good parking locations
• Obtain office keys and Locate offices
• Log on to MyBGsu to view paychecks
• Locate computer labs
• Access Student Rec Center, obtain tickets for sporting events
• Locate Instructional Media Center
• Locate Stampers for Post Office and duplicating services
• Register for classes
• Other:

Monday, 4:00-6:00p.m. Opening Reception with GradSTEP and Guests,
202A The Grand Ballroom of Bowen-Thompson Student Union

Tuesday, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

EXPECTATIONS & PLANNING

Outline Rules, Regulations, and Expectations

• Important dates
• Thesis/Dissertation selection and development
• Dress code (if applicable)
• Registration for classes and required coursework for degree completion
• Required office hours each week for GAs
• Department expectations of GAs: hours, ethics, problem resolution
• Other:

Discuss Unwritten Rules and Regulations

• Department teaching philosophy
• TA attitude toward students
• Students' desires, needs and backgrounds
• Classroom demeanor, both of students and TAs
• Times and locations of classes/assignments for TAs
• Other:

Distribute and Explain Materials

• Texts and lab manuals
• Sample syllabi or lesson plans
• Overview of Departmental packets (folders, handbooks, etc.)
• Department specific library resources
• Department computer resources
• Departmental Student Handbook
• Registration for classes (!!This should be done no later than Wednesday of GradSTEP Week!!)
• Other:

Logistics for TAs

• Schedule meetings with GAs and assistantship supervisors
• Explain what to cover on the first few days of classes
• Plan first week of class (at least).  
• Review and discuss syllabi writing
• Assign a working syllabus for Friday
• Distribute prepared syllabi
• Other:

Miscellaneous but Useful Information

• Where to locate supplies
• Making transparencies and copies
• Using appropriate libraries
• Using labs and lab equipment
• Plan activities for part-time and non-funded students

Wednesday: We will have students busy from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please keep this in mind if you feel you need to schedule anything on Wednesday.

12:00 - 1:15 Grad Bash Luncheon sponsored by Graduate Student Senate - Location TBA

1:30 - 4:30 Appreciating Diversity session - attendance is required for all GradSTEP participants.

Thursday, 1:30 - 5:00 p.m.

12:00 - 1:30 GradSTEP Wrap-Up Luncheon - Commons Dining Hall

TECHNIQUES & PRACTICE

Logistics for TAs

• Explain what to cover during the first few weeks
• Discuss how to make assignments clear
• Discuss how to lead class discussions
• Discuss how to design effective quizzes, tests
• Show a video of a good teacher in action
• Role playing for skill development in dealing with conflicts in the classroom.
• Other:

Basics

• Presentation of sample lesson by returning TA or faculty member
• Demonstration of lab equipment
• Micro-teaching: Videotaping of new TA/RA presenting a lesson followed by critique (download a guide for conducting micro-presentation sessions)
• Other:

Departmental Mixer or Social Activity

Friday, 12:00 A.M. - 5:00 p.m.

ALL Development Leaders are to attend a meeting from 9:00 - 10:30 am in 201 of the Union.  We will be discussing the events of the week, checking attendance for the students in each department, and getting your feedback regarding DL Training meetings.

PLEASE NOTE: If possible, incorporate the following activities into Thursday's departmental programming. Your students will need time to make preparations for their own classes and assistantship requirements in order to be ready for the start of classes on Monday.
Please schedule activities on Friday only if absolutely necessary. Thank you!

CONCLUSION

Reinforce the Skills

• Schedule weekly meetings with new, and returning GAs and supervising faculty
• Suggest times for new GAs to observe an experienced teacher during first weeks
• Suggest readings that may be beneficial
• Other:

Polish the Product

• Reminder about labs (availability and location)
  
• Presentation of GA's syllabi
• Presentation of sample lessons by new GAs Role playing of various classroom situations
• Question & Answer periods about anything
• Other:

Diversion

• Social event/mixer - include the spouses and partners of your students
• Other: