Word: tfs
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...Robots in our kitchens, at least we can now better predict course enrollments. Thanks to an innovative algorithm designed by students in Computer Science (CS) 96, “System Design Projects,” the College will be able to prevent the misallocation of 1,200 teaching fellows (TFs) in future terms...
...catalyst to this project was last year’s preregistration debacle. For years, course prediction methodology has not been accurate enough to allow departments to reliably hire and train TFs far enough in advance —leaving TFs in a precarious job market and students in precariously-led sections. The solution offered by the administration last spring (withdrawn after wide criticism) was forcing students to choose their courses a semester in advance. But that system did not account for the inevitable enrollment swings that would have resulted from the liberal add/drop period it proposed in place of shopping...
Moreover, the TF hiring process could be much improved if the University centralized the practice. A standardized online system would allow professors and TFs across departments to connect more easily. TFs would be able to rank their preferences for multiple positions and an automated system would match them appropriately...
David Heitmeyer, who presented the findings of the GSAS study on behalf of Faculty of Arts and Sciences Computer Services, said that immediate processing of evaluation data, more accurate recording methods and easy availability of data to instructors and TFs were among the advantages of online evaluations...
...Going online would make the feedback mechanism produce lengthier and more thoughtful responses,” Mahan said. “Professors and TFs spend an entire semester teaching us. They deserve to get solid feedback on their work just as we deserve comments on our papers and exams...