Re: [PSTUM-list] refs on TA training effectiveness?

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/ _______________________________________________ PSTUM-list mailing list PSTUM-list(a)lists.fas.harvard.edu http://lists.fas.harvard.edu/mailman/listinfo/pstum-list