Finals week is here and it’s almost time for a much-deserved break. For that last push, the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) is ready to help you with grading, completing the quarter, and even getting ahead on preparations for future classes. Check out our support services, new teaching resources, grading events, and more before heading into the summer.
Resources
A Quick Guide to Becoming a Teaching Assistant
Curious about becoming a Teaching Assistant (TA) next quarter? Read about how to become a TA, including eligibility and training requirements, the application process, and advice for being a competitive candidate.
Digital Accessibility for Teaching and Learning
Digital accessibility considerations impact the design and delivery of course material as well as the structure of learning activities. As you plan your next classes, these resources provide strategies for creating digital course content that all people can access and use.
Grading support
The TLC offers a free test-scoring service to all UCLA instructors who administer multiple-choice exams. This provides an efficient and accurate means of grading multiple-choice exams, and includes reports to help improve the testing process. Appointments are available Monday through Friday (9 a.m.–noon and 1:30–4:30 p.m.) in our offices located in Powell Library.
Assessment
Data collected in Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) surveys can provide helpful information when developing classes for the fall. The TLC Assessment Guides for Instructors and Departments provide suggestions for interpreting the data and encouraging student engagement.
New Teaching Resources
End of Quarter Teaching Checklist
As the term winds down, this new teaching resource provides an overview of how instructors might take some time at the end of the quarter to reflect on and document teaching practices that enhance future instruction
Rubrics:
What They Are and How to Use Them
Whenever you begin planning for summer sessions and future courses, this new teaching resource outlines the uses and benefits of different rubrics and recommendations for conducting a rubric norming session with your instructional team.
Elevate Online and Hybrid Course Development
The TLC seeks block grant proposals for online and hybrid courses that broaden educational access and reimagine instruction. Grants will range from $5,000 to $25,000 per instructor per academic year with in-kind support available from the TLC. All UCLA instructors of record for undergraduate, graduate, and professional student courses are eligible to apply.
Events
TA/Postdoc Drop-In Hours:
Social Grading Edition!
9:30–11:30 a.m., June 3 | Zoom
2–4 p.m., June 12 | Powell 190
Join us on Zoom and in person for TA and postdoc drop-in hours, social grading edition! Build community with your fellow TAs and gain some accountability while you work through your end-of-quarter grading. TLC staff members from the Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Engagement (GSPSE) team will also be available to support you.
From Practice to Policy
Scalable Approaches that Promote Undergraduate Success at the UC
10–11 a.m., June 11 | Pritzker 1531 and Zoom
Mike Wilton, a faculty member in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at UC Santa Barbara, will showcase two approaches developed and implemented at the UC that aim to promote first-year student success. The presentation will examine evidence on the impact of a scalable, near-peer mentorship structure that leverages upper-division students who mentor small groups (4–6) of first-year students on how to navigate and succeed academically at the UC. Register here
Digital Accessibility Drop-In Hours
2–3 p.m., June 16 | Zoom
Need help making your course materials digitally accessible? Join TLC experts to get your questions answered and receive direct support with accessible documents, accommodations, course content, and Bruin Learn tools. All instructors and staff are welcome! Learn more
Ready, Set, Summer!
Preparing Graduate Students to Teach in Summer Session
10–11:30 a.m., June 17 and 18 | Zoom
Join the TLC’s Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Engagement team for two support sessions for graduate students who will be primary instructors in Summer Session. Get a short overview of Bruin Learn as well as tips for engaging students and creating assignments or syllabi. All graduate students teaching in summer are welcome to attend one or both sessions, which will cover different topics. Visit the registration link for details. Register here