Resources for TA

CEPT regularly requires teaching assistants to assist tutors. The Role of a TA would be to assist tutors prepare for the studio by helping in academic research, administration, logistical support or coordination as required.

Qualifications and Role
All Studio Units will be assisted by a Teaching Assistant or a Teaching Associate. Students who support tutors in a course / studio are called Teaching Assistants while Graduates who perform similar role are called Teaching Associates. Both are called TA for short. TA’s play a valued and important role in the educational process. They influence, motivate, advise and inspire students to achieve academic and personal success and provide an important bridge between faculty and students.

More information

They would be expected to develop and maintain cordial relationships with the students and provide support, motivation and encouragement. They should be available via email.Teaching Assistants (TA) may be responsible for the following:

Academic support: Maintain and develop a bibliography and resource material, Help with documentation of studio exercises, Scan and post readings, Support students in preparing portfolio and uploading their work on CEPT Projects, Attend discussion sessions, Support instructors in grading and assessments, Provide extra support and hand holding for students who are struggling academically.
Logistical Support: AV set up for lectures, Reserve classrooms and set up equipment, take attendance, Collect assignments, Make copies, travel logistics for field visit, etc.
Coordination: Arrange separate review sessions, room scheduling etc.

The TA should NOT assign grades independently or serve as independent instructors. TA’s are not expected to assist faculty in any professional or personal work not directly related to studio unit.

The TA would normally be from the same program or higher degree in the same Faculty. Occasionally, students from another Faculty are accepted as TA subject to approval by program coordinator. Before confirming a student to assist you for the studio, please ask them to check their own academic schedule for the semester to make sure they are able to manage teaching along with their own coursework. This will be most important for Masters students doing their thesis (they only have 1 semester to complete it) as their viva dates might clash with the review schedule of the studio. While there is a variety of studios offered each semester, make sure the teaching assistant’s area of interest or line of research aligns with your own. While we do not expect a teaching assistant to have complete knowledge in the area they will be teaching, we do expect them to possess the ability the studio is aiming to equip the students with.

TAs are expected to work as per the contact hour requirements of the course / studio unit. They report to the lead tutor of the studio unit. As teaching assistants, they will need to spend approximately 20 hours per week for a period of 18 weeks during the semester.