2018 TA Orientation

TA Orientation

TA Orientation

NOTE: There is no TA orientation scheduled for the Spring Quarter. Please continue to check the website for information on the next scheduled orientation. 

All TAs who have not yet attended the UC Davis TA Orientation are required to do so by the University of California Office of the President and UC Davis Graduate Studies, even if they have taught previously. This orientation is different and in addition to your department orientation. The goal of this requirement is to help graduate students develop as instructors and effectively teach our undergraduates. 

TA Orientation is designed to help graduate students succeed in their role as TAs at UC Davis by introducing them to the principles and practices of effective teaching. In-person sessions emphasize practical teaching skills and strategies, and include topics such as establishing a positive classroom atmosphere on the first day, leading effective discussions, presenting information clearly, and grading efficiently. In order to fulfill the TA Orientation requirement, you must attend all in-person workshops you are assigned to. You must also complete self-paced modules on UC Davis’s learning management system, Canvas, before attending your assigned session. Here is your link to the course. The modules will take approximately 1.5 hours to complete and must be done before attending your assigned in-person session.

Check in will begin 30 minutes before the start of the orientation in the Teaching and Learning Complex lobby (view on map). We encourage you to arrive early to allow sufficient time to check in before the first session begin

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The TA's Guide to Effective Teaching at UC Davis - download PDF

Image: TA Guide Cover

Contact

If you have additional questions, please scroll to our FAQ's below. Still can't find an answer to your question? Email us at TAOrientation@ucdavis.edu.

Covid-19 Guidance

TAO FAQ (2022)

Registration and Attendance

  • Why is TA Orientation required?
  • All TAs who have not yet attended the UC Davis TA Orientation (TAO) are required to do so by the University of California Office of the President and UC Davis Graduate Studies. This includes those with previous teaching experience. TA Orientation is designed to help graduate students succeed in their role as TAs at UC Davis by introducing them to the principles and practices of effective teaching, as well as providing UC Davis specific context. If you attended UC Davis for a prior graduate degree and attended TAO in the past, check with your department to determine whether they want you to attend again. 
  • How will my attendance be recorded?
  • As you work through the online modules, you will be asked to complete a number of activities that will validate your completion. During the in-person component, we will validate attendance using participation activities that you submit through Canvas (UC Davis's learning management platform) at designated times during each session. You will need to bring a device to your in-person session (a phone, tablet, or computer are all fine).
  • Do I receive a certificate of completion?
  • The Center for Educational Effectiveness does not issue certificates for completing TA Orientation. All certified attendance records are sent to Graduate Coordinators and department heads. Please check with your department representative for verification; records are typically available in October.
  • I'm observing religious holiday that conflicts with TAO. What are my options?
  • If your department is scheduled to attend TAO on a day that conflicts with a religious holiday, please email TAOrientation@ucdavis.edu for an accommodation. We will honor your religious observances by moving you to the other day's session or to the makeup session to be held in October.
  • What if something came up and I can't attend the session I am registered for?
  • If something has come up and you are unable to attend the session that you are registered for, email TAOrientation@ucdavis.edu as soon as possible. We may be able to move you to an alternative session.
  • What is the contact information for UAW 2865 (Union)?

  • UAW 2865 Davis--Union Leadership

    davis@uaw2865.org

    UAW 2865 Davis Unit Chair--Deb Young

    deb@uaw2865.org

Accessibility

  • What if I have accessibility needs?
  • If you have accessibility needs that you did not indicate upon registration, please email TAOrientation@ucdavis.edu so that we can work to accommodate you.