Information Sessions
An information session will be given for newly enrolled graduate students at the beginning of each Fall semestergenerally, one afternoon in late August. Coordinated by the Office of Graduate Studies, the Division of Student Affairs, and the individual academic departments, the session is designed to welcome graduate students to The Florida State University and introduce them to its facilities, services, and events of public interest.
During the general portion of the session, graduate students will be given information by the Dean of Graduate Studies that is essential to successful academic work. A featured speaker, a distinguished professor from the University faculty, will comment on the graduate experience, and the Vice President for Student Affairs will describe the student services available at the University.
Orientation of graduate and graduate-professional students will include an emphasis on ethical standards the University has articulated in its statement on values and moral standards and on the standards found in the canons of professional responsibility in the fields students expect to enter.
At the information session, the Program for Instructional Excellence will be reviewed. The program offers classes that cover the general aspects of teaching: the ethics, the potential problems, and the characteristics of quality teaching. Additional classes may be offered by the individual departments that prepare graduate students for teaching their particular field. Students will be notified by mail and through their individual academic departments of the date, time, and location of the Information Session.
Departments offer their own formal or informal orientation sessions; queries regarding these meetings should be made directly to the chair of the student's department.
Special orientation sessions for minority graduate students are given three weeks prior to the fall semester by the Program in African-American Studies. Interested students should contact the office located in A5200 University Center.
International Student Orientation
All new international students, including transfers from FSU-Panama and international students at Florida State University-Panama City (Florida) branch campus, must report to the International Center and present their immigration documents before they will be allowed to register for classes. In addition, incoming students must attend one of several orientation programs sponsored by the International Center which provides information and materials about the rights and responsibilities of international students, services and programs available to international students and their families, insurance and health issues, and life in Tallahassee. Notice of these orientation opportunities is sent to incoming students through the Office of Admissions.
Graduate Teaching Assistant Support
Instructional Development Services
Two programs that support graduate student teaching include the Program for Instructional Excellence (PIE) and Preparing Future Faculty (PFF). Both of these programs are housed in Instructional Development Services, in the Office for Distributive and Distance Learning, C3500 University Center, (850) 644-8004; website: http://online.fsu.edu.
Program for Instructional Excellence (PIE)
In addition to departmental support programs, the Program for Instructional Excellence aids graduate teaching assistants in improving their instructional skills and classroom knowledge. The program offers a wide variety of services, which are described below. C4503University Center, 9:00–5:00, Monday through Friday, (850) 644-8844.
Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) Program
The Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) program is a national network of academic leaders exploring ways to better equip doctoral students for faculty work. The PFF program was initiated by the Association of American Colleges and Universities and the Council of Graduate Schools and funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts.
Through the efforts of faculty from The Florida State University and the partner institutions, PFF is exposing graduate students to a variety of teaching roles and experiences. The PFF departmental programs take many shapes depending on the discipline and the institutions involved, but several principles are constant. The most enduring principle is that graduate students should enter the academic profession as competent professionals who have already begun a process of growth as teachers and scholars in the academic community.
There are several ways to become involved with the PFF project: 1) Check with your department; 2) Call PIE at (850) 644-8844; or 3) Visit the PFF web-site at http://online.fsu.edu/instructor/teachingenhancement/pff.
University-Wide Teaching Conferences
Twice each year, during the week preceding the Fall and Spring semesters, three-day and one-day conferences are held for new and experienced teaching assistants. University administrators, organizations, faculty, and experienced teaching assistants take part in this program, offering advice and conducting sessions on all aspects of undergraduate teaching at The Florida State University. Experienced instructors who feel the need for a refresher course are invited to participate in any part of the orientation they feel might be useful.
Workshop Series
Workshops and panel discussions which deal with issues specifically relevant to instructors who teach in University classrooms are held throughout the fall and spring semesters. Possible topics might include lecturing, strategies for active learning, and leading an effective discussion, along with many others. Registration information may be obtained from the program or from the student's academic department.
Individual Consultation
A member of the Instructional Development Services is usually available to discuss, on an individual basis, any aspect of an instructor's teaching assignment. Not only can an instructor receive assistance and consultation with "problem areas," but also with the proposed course design, teaching techniques, and a variety of other areas. Consultations are available on an appointment or walk-in basis.
Videotaped Observation
Video observations involves videotaping a segment of an actual or simulated teaching situation for the purpose of offering performance feedback to instructors. The main advantage is that it allows instructors to view themselves from an outside perspective. Typically, a staff member will videotape part or all of an instructor's class and then meet with the teaching assistant to discuss the tape and offer feedback. Since video observation is applicable to lectures, labs, and discussion sections, many teaching assistants find the experience rewarding as it offers a chance to view one's teaching from a student's perspective. A staff member can also observe actual classes without the aid of videotape and report back to the instructor. Please allow one to two weeks for scheduling.
Resource Book
Instruction at FSU, a resource book for instructors, conveys information on policies, procedures, and teaching techniques. Its primary function is to help instructors understand what is expected of them and to acquaint them with necessary skills to be effective in the classroom. This document is available for download at http://online.fsu.edu/instructor.
Online Newsletter
Available at http://online.fsu.edu, the Instruction at FSU newsletter offers teaching-related information of all kinds: articles on individual instructors and department programs, teaching improvement ideas, and news on innovative strategies and campus happenings.
Resources
Many resources on teaching are available from the program. Handouts on lecturing, testing, guide to better grading, and what undergraduates expect of you, along with many others, are available without charge. Our lending library located in UCC 4503 is available for browsing.
Web Resources
Teaching Enhancement Website. One of the many resources available to instructors at The Florida State University is this website. The site includes descriptions and schedules of the many programs offered at the University. Please visit http://online.fsu.edu/instructor/teachingenhancement.
Preparing Future Faculty (PFF). This site gives links to the national PFF program as well as resources that assist graduate students in planning for a career in post-secondary education. Visit http://online.fsu.edu/instructor/teachingenhancement/pff.
Campus.fsu.edu. The Florida State University provides this electronic course management system to all instructors. Visit http://campus.fsu.edu for information on what is offered, available support, and how to request a course.
Outstanding Teaching Assistant Awards
The Program for Instructional Excellence facilitates the University's Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award program. Fifteen outstanding teaching assistants will receive cash awards and will be acknowledged at an awards presentation and reception in April.
Teaching Associate Program
The Program for Instructional Excellence (PIE) provides departments with a teaching associate to assist with departmental teaching assistant training and to serve as small group leaders and mentors during the campus-wide orientations and workshops organized by the program. This associate is an experienced teaching assistant nominated by the department and interviewed and selected by PIE. The teaching associate is the liaison between the Program for Instructional Excellence and individual departments. The appointment, therefore, carries obligations to both the administrative program and the department. Teaching associates will receive a stipend for an academic year appointment (Fall and Spring semesters). Appointments are made each year at the beginning of the Fall semester.
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