Encouraging and Assessing Student Participation: Practical Tips for TAs

Active participation in the classroom is vital in the learning process. In addition to learning and understanding the material more, students who actively engage with the content, the instructor, and their peers also improve their communication and collaboration skills. But what does “active participation” actually look like? And how can we encourage it in our classes?

Thankfully, TAs are well-positioned to support students in developing good participation skills and strategies by offering both clear expectations for classroom engagement and a variety of participation opportunities. This workshop will introduce TAs to the various forms that participation can take in their classes, as well as strategies for equitably assessing engagement. Through discussion with fellow TAs, self-reflection, and some hands-on practice, attendees will craft a participation policy that reflects their course goals and their expectations for meaningful student engagement.