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Responsibilities of a TTAC

Overview

The job of the Technology Teaching Assistant Consultant (TTAC) is to assist Teaching Assistants learn how to make the appropriate use of technology in their labs or discussion sections. This includes tutoring TAs in the specifics of various hardware and software packages as well as examining how technology might influence typical teaching issues such as motivating students, generating feedback, designing tests and assignments, and pursuing active learning strategies. In other words, TTACs help TAs to understand how technology might be used to solve common teaching problems. Additionally, the TTAC should be able to introduce TAs to other technology related programs and resources available through OID and across the UCLA Campus. To this end, TTACs are required to attend a central training seminar headed by the Campus-Wide Technology TA Coordinator during the Fall Quarter, and, under the supervision of a Faculty Advisor, adapt and teach a version of the central seminar to TAs in their own departments during the Winter or Spring Quarters. The specific requirements of these two activities are outlined below.

Central Seminar

The Central Seminar is a 10 week long seminar lead by the Campus-Wide Technology Teaching Assistant Coordinator during the Fall Quarter. Typically, the seminar meets once a week for 2 hours. The following list outlines the requirements of TTACs for the Central Seminar.

  • Attend each meeting of the Central Seminar during the regular quarter.
  • Actively participate in the Central Seminar by contributing to discussion, completing assignments, and participating in any events that are a part of each meeting.
  • Complete homework assignments on time (typically the assignments will require 1-3 hours of work outside of class).
  • Develop a syllabus for the departmental seminar in Spring based on discussion and activities completed in the Central Seminar.
  • Learn how to operate new software and hardware.

Spring (Departmental) Seminars

Each TTAC is required to develop a version of the Central Seminar and teach it to TAs in their department during the Winter or Spring Quarters. Typically, it will be a 10 week long seminar similar to the Central Seminar, but the exact format will vary by department. The following list outlines the requirements of TTACs for the Spring Seminar.

  • Develop and lead a version of the Central Seminar that is sensitive to the problems of the discipline and needs of TAs in the department.
  • Develop a syllabus and identify specific learning goals for the course.
  • Design in class exercises, homework, and reading assignments.
  • Conduct office hours or arrange times for individual meetings with TAs (as needed).
  • Inform TAs of departmental and University resources related to technology and teaching.
  • Work under the guidance of a Faculty Advisor.
  • Encourage faculty and TAs to enroll in the course.

What TTACs Should Not Be Doing

Technology TA Consultants should not be involved in activities that are not related to TA Training. For example, TTACs should not be serving as computer support personnel for a department. They are not responsible for maintaining course websites for a department. They are not responsible for upgrading and/or fixing hardware and software for a department.