Word: tfs
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...think the appropriate way forward for undergraduate education reform is through piecemeal tinkering rather than sweeping alterations. In that vein, Monday’s announcement by Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Peter T. Ellison that the majority of each class’ teaching fellows (TFs) must be hired a semester in advance has been widely welcomed as a way to improve students’ educational experiences. But, unfortunately, undergraduates should recognize that many of their academic woes are based not on substandard TFs but on the woolly philosophy that underpins the existence of sections in their...
Much of the strongest criticism of TFs comes from students taking math and science classes. Students in those fields frequently accuse their TFs of lacking fundamental teaching skills—often including command of the English language—that are necessary to elucidate complex theories. These criticisms can seem exaggerated and occasionally obnoxious, but perhaps early hiring practices may make a significant difference to the quality of TFs in the sciences. It may also not significantly improve the standard of teaching in that area. After taking only three Core classes in math and science, I can?...
Indeed many humanities TFs are first-rate. Their jobs require them to keep discussion moving in class, to grade students’ papers and exams, to hold weekly office hours and, of course, to attend all the same lectures and do all the same readings as the undergraduates. Except, of course, the TFs can’t routinely skip class or cut corners on the readings. And, by and large, they do a very good job fulfilling these requirements. Meanwhile, TFs also tend to have full graduate school requirements of their own. But the fact that TFs work far harder...
...problems stem directly from the portion of grades allocated in humanities classes for attendance at and participation in section. The need to reward—or punish—students based on their performance in section leads to TFs mechanically plowing through the assigned readings rather than stimulating intellectual debate. After all, testing whether students have done the work required of them by the syllabus is a fair and simple way to allocate grades. It does not, however, lend itself to dynamic discussion which is, after all, one of the central reasons for having section in the first place. Students...
...hiring policy recognizes the intersection between graduate students’ detest of the frenzied scramble associated with applying for a teaching fellow job and undergraduates’ interest in being taught by qualified, well-prepared TFs...