Eric,
Here are a references looking at the impact of TA training that I've
found.
As you can see, there are no (a) fairly recent literature reviews or (b)
research studies specific to mathematics. I would be interested in
hearing about either of those, if anyone on the list knows of any.
I hope these are helpful to your colleague!
Best,
Derek
1) Carroll, J., "Effects of Training Programs for University Teaching
Assistants: A Review of Empirical Research," Journal of Higher
Education, 51 (2), 167-183, 1980.
This article reviews the research literature on TA training as of 1980,
focusing on research on both TA and student variables.
2) Levinson-Rose, J., and Menges, R., "Improving College Teaching: A
Critical Review of Research," Review of Educational Research, 51 (3),
403-434, 1981.
This article reviews the research literature on interventions designed
to improve college teaching. It is not limited to the teaching done by
TAs, but includes faculty and other instructors, as well.
3) Abbott, R., Wulff, D., and Szego, C., "Review of Research on TA
Training," in Teaching Assistant Training in the 1990s, New Directions
for Teaching and Learning No. 39, Fall 1989.
This article reviews the research literature on TA training from 1980 to
1988, noting positive effects of consultations about student ratings,
having TAs watch videotapes of their own teaching, and
discipline-specific training programs.
4) Shannon, D., Twale, D., and Moore, M., "TA Teaching Effectiveness:
The Impact of Training and Teaching Experiences," The Journal of Higher
Education, 69 (4), 440-466, 1998.
In this study, student ratings of TAs and TAs' self-ratings were used to
analyze the impact on teaching effectiveness of different kinds of TA
training as well as of the TAs' prior training and teaching experience.
5) Park, C., "The Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA): Lesson from North
American Experience," Teaching in Higher Education, 9 (3), 349-361,
2004.
This article reviews the literature on TA training programs in North
America. The emphasis isn't on research on the effectiveness of such
training programs, but there is some attention to such research. The
article also has an extensive, recent bibliography.
--
Derek Bruff, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, Vanderbilt Center for Teaching
Senior Lecturer, Vanderbilt Department of Mathematics
116 Calhoun Hall
Box 351537, Station B
Nashville, TN 37235
615-322-7290
www.vanderbilt.edu/cft/
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pstum-list-bounces(a)lists.fas.harvard.edu
> [mailto:pstum-list-bounces@lists.fas.harvard.edu] On Behalf
> Of Eric Hsu
> Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2006 9:02 PM
> To: pstum-list(a)lists.fas.harvard.edu
> Subject: [PSTUM-list] refs on TA training effectiveness?
>
> This may sound like an obvious question, so I am hoping there
> are some obvious answers.
>
> A colleague of mine is helping NSF with a "What's Known From
> Research" report and realized she had no research citations
> to support the idea that graduate teaching assistants teach
> better and their students learn better if the TAs receive
> some kind of training or support. I think everyone believes
> it. I've seen a couple of theses about this issue discussed
> on the list.
>
> Can people who've done the literature review give me what you
> consider the best references addressing this specific question?
> Preferably with a sentence or two commentary on each...
>
> best wishes, Eric
> --
> Eric Hsu, Associate Professor of Mathematics San Francisco
> State University http://math.sfsu.edu/hsu erichsu(a)math.sfsu.edu
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> PSTUM-list mailing list
> PSTUM-list(a)lists.fas.harvard.edu
> http://lists.fas.harvard.edu/mailman/listinfo/pstum-list
>
Eric,
I have a stack of resources on TA training sitting on my desk that I've
need to look through for another project. Are you still interested in
some references on this topic? I might have some time next week to get
to that stack, and I'm confident it will produce something useful for
your colleague.
Derek
--
Derek Bruff, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, Vanderbilt Center for Teaching
Senior Lecturer, Vanderbilt Department of Mathematics
116 Calhoun Hall
Box 351537, Station B
Nashville, TN 37235
615-322-7290
www.vanderbilt.edu/cft/
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pstum-list-bounces(a)lists.fas.harvard.edu
> [mailto:pstum-list-bounces@lists.fas.harvard.edu] On Behalf
> Of Eric Hsu
> Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2006 9:02 PM
> To: pstum-list(a)lists.fas.harvard.edu
> Subject: [PSTUM-list] refs on TA training effectiveness?
>
> This may sound like an obvious question, so I am hoping there
> are some obvious answers.
>
> A colleague of mine is helping NSF with a "What's Known From
> Research" report and realized she had no research citations
> to support the idea that graduate teaching assistants teach
> better and their students learn better if the TAs receive
> some kind of training or support. I think everyone believes
> it. I've seen a couple of theses about this issue discussed
> on the list.
>
> Can people who've done the literature review give me what you
> consider the best references addressing this specific question?
> Preferably with a sentence or two commentary on each...
>
> best wishes, Eric
> --
> Eric Hsu, Associate Professor of Mathematics San Francisco
> State University http://math.sfsu.edu/hsu erichsu(a)math.sfsu.edu
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> PSTUM-list mailing list
> PSTUM-list(a)lists.fas.harvard.edu
> http://lists.fas.harvard.edu/mailman/listinfo/pstum-list
>
