Preparing for Section

Professor:
We’ve all had situations where we had to teach a class by the seat of our pants. I wouldn’t recommend it because it is just too nerve wracking. Even though it is hard to find the time, one of the best tips I can give to you is to work out your plan at least two days before your section meeting so that you have enough time to gather necessary materials or photocopy handouts without a lot of stress. Using these three guiding questions will help you have confidence in your planning:

• What do I want my students to know/learn by the end of the class session (list them)?
• How will I know they have learned it?
• What teaching activities/strategies can I use that will help them learn this material in the easiest way?

If you have thoroughly answered these questions in written form, then you can have confidence that you are prepared. 

TA:
I am a great believer in preparation. The most useful discussion sections in the sciences are those when the TA goes through many examples that cover all different techniques of that particular week. It is simply hard to come up with examples on the spot, especially if you want them to be good, instructive, and comprehensive. If you want your students to work hard in your sections, you have to as well. If you are organized, think ahead about what is useful for the students, and go over the material covered each week, you will be able to better relate to your students and their problems.