Preparing for Section

TA:
I try to design different ‘parts’ of the section. For example,

• Part I: review of important information (15 minutes).
• Part II: going over important examples that I have prepared (20 minutes).
• Part III: answering questions (15 minutes).

Then, I prepare enough information for each part, making sure to mark things that I can skip if there is no time. During the actual section, I allow myself to react to the circumstances and can easily switch the order of the parts or spend more time on one of them. It is much easier to be flexible if you already have a plan that works. Varying different activities also helps to keep the students’ attention on what you are doing.   

Professor:

The answer to this question is dependent upon the learning activities you intend to do to help students learn the material for that day. Keep in mind that seemingly time consuming activities—such as guided small group discussion before whole group discussion—are actually time savers because you have greater student participation and they gain understanding much quicker. The main thing to remember is that you should break the class time into 10-15 minute segments to ensure active learning. Also, don’t be afraid to go with a “teachable moment” if it presents itself. Finally, housekeeping should be kept to 5 minutes or less. 

Student:

I appreciate it when my TA has a plan for the session instead of just trying to “wing it.” Without a plan, we end up running out of time because we spend so much time on one thing or trivial issues. My favorite sections have several different things for us to do to help us learn the course material in a new way.