Teaching Practica

Click here for the Fall 2007 Practica enrollment roster.

After the first year, TOs attend practica on different topics in the teaching of writing every other week. These practica function much like course director groups—in fact, they are led by course directors. The discussions within the practica will be more focused and extend beyond day-to-day teaching practice in our program to broader concerns in the teaching of writing that can help us imagine new possibilities for teaching in our own classrooms. The course directors leading the practica will also be the ones to observe your teaching in your second and third years. The first meeting for each practica will be held on Registration Day of each semester. Typical practica offered include the following:

698D  Alternative Classroom Practices will examine alternative methods and practices that can enhance your teaching of Englwrit 112, such as the use of technology, collaborative writing, incorporating special projects, etc.

698F Professional Development will help you draft a philosophy statement, develop curricular plans, and compile materials from your classroom and student evaluations. This one is probably best taken close to completing your program.

698G Composition Theories and Pedagogies will look at alternative approaches to teaching composition and ways to revise our syllabus to include some of them (e.g. themed writing assignments, critical pedagogy, etc.) and/or issues raised in the composition literature relevant to 112 such as approaches to ESL and multicultural topics.

698I Teaching Basic Writing (open to teachers of 111 only) will cover issues relevant to teaching Englwrit111. (Note: Enrollment in 698E is required to teach 111, even if you have completed your five semester training requirement.)

698J Teacher Mentoring (open to Resource Center staff only) will focus on issues surrounding mentoring teachers within and outside of course director groups. Biweekly meetings with the asst. director for teacher training.