The Instructional Support Group (ISG) provides necessary training to temporary employees through orientation and ongoing training sessions. The training topics include:
- Communication
- Conducting labs
- Consulting with students
- Coordinating TAs for marking
- Course account and Twiki
- Exam administration
- Goal setting
- Leading tutorials
- Marking
- Markus
- Marmoset
- Office courtesy
- Professionalism
- Time management - Set priority
The ISG may also invite guest speakers from other departments for some of the training sessions, for example, Counselling Service, Office for People with Disability, Safety Office, police office, etc.
Orientation
ISA orientation takes place either on the first official day of employment or sometime during a week near the end of the previous term. The orientation session provides a tour of facilities, some interaction with other ISAs, and a refresher of basic skills needed for the job. Depending on the term, if time permits the orientation may also include some of the above training topics and guest speakers.
TA orientation takes place in the fall and winter terms, which includes general information about ISG, overview of expectations and duties, and marking training.
Weekly coffee chat
ISG has ongoing training and discussion sessions, weekly coffee chat, for ISAs throughout the term. IAs might be invited to some of them as well.
The objectives of the weekly coffee chat sessions are:
- to provide a plan for ongoing training in addition to orientation
- to provide an opportunity for the entire staff to meet on a regular basis, thus enhancing team spirit
- to provide a forum for discussion of problems (and, hopefully, solutions!) encountered on the job
- to provide a means of continuous reinforcement of the core mission of ISG
The intention is that the sessions are interactive sessions, where all members will be active participants. Sessions are usually held on Mondays from 10:00-11:00 AM and, unless otherwise stated, are compulsory for all full time ISG staff.
IA/TA training/information sessions
ISG may hold some training/information sessions for IAs/TAs during a term, which include currently a training session for exam administration and an information session to discuss IA/TA duties.
Other opportunities
In addition to the ISG training program, staff members can develop their skills by taking University courses, or by participating in any of the workshops provided by Information Systems and Technology.
