CSE 599 Teaching Methods in Computer Science
Fall 2006

Facilitators:

• Beth Simon (CSE TA Advisor), CSE4104
• Lawrence Cayton (CSE Senior TA)

This class serves several purposes. First, it is required for all UCSD CSE graduate students (you should take it either before or concurrent with your first TA assignment).

More importantly, this class serves as a source of education into the practice and theory of educating others in learning computer science -- something at the core of academic practice. We strive to prepare you to engage the best practices in educating not only undergraduate students here at UCSD, but also to help you develop successful practices in managing advisees and in teaching or managing others in your future career.

Details:

If you are enrolled in this class for credit, then attendance is mandatory. If you expect to miss a class, please contact the instructor as soon as possible with your conflict so that we can work out an alternate activity. Additionally, enrolled students are expected to perform the (usually small) amount of outside preparation as detailed in each class period.

Class meets Wednesdays 3-4pm in CSE 1202.

Get slides at http://up.ucsd.edu. Create a login. Enroll in the class. Password to enroll is cse599 (lowercase).

Date	Topic of Discussion
Sept 27	Introduction, Why this class?, Identification of interests, Basic TA responsibilities and guidelines
October 4	Discussion sections: Featuring a panel of distinguished TA discussion section leaders. Please read the following article on constructivism in science classrooms before class. We'll use a discussion of this article to start our discussion of how to run a discussion section. Bring questions, comments, or opinions.
October 11	Assessment and grading: Overview of theory, practical issues in CS, building a resource Summaries of assessment papers.
October 18	Grading tools and tips, academic integrity (featuring Rick Ord and Dean Tullsen) Review of rubric evaluation of exam questions. Rick Ord's slides on grading tools.
October 25	How People Learn. Materials on UP. Summary from group discussion here Book discussed in class. How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience and School. John Bransford, Editor. Available free on line.
November 1	Learning Styles: Barbara Sawrey, Chemistry Dept., UCSD Slides
November 8	Presentation Skills: Meet in 1202 to break up into teams for mini-practice sessions. Bring a whiteboard marker!
November 15	Capes, discussion section evaluation handout

Resources:

• The center for teaching development (CTD) has a number of workshops designed to help graduate students become effective TAs. See the calendar for details.
• Make your own survey from the CTD. A great resource for mid-course surveys. Remember, if you survey your students, you should report back to them on at least some of the results. They took the time to answer, you should take the time to review some of the answers. Also, you MUST be prepared to make at least one change that they recommended. If you aren't open to making a change, don't ask them their opinion.