The Taylor Institute of Teaching and Learning (TITL, or TI) at the University of Calgary is an astoundingly useful resource for developing your skills and confidence as a TA. Educational and technology consultants offer year-round workshops, badge (mini-credential), and certificate programs on dozens of topics related to teaching and learning. These are invaluable opportunities as many Canadian universities do not have such a strong centre for teaching and learning. Take advantage of the TI!

TA Orientation

At the beginning of each semester, the TI hosts a TA Orientation for new TAs across disciplines, offering a crash course in student-centred teaching, an overview of a TAs responsibilities, as well as an opportunity to meet and network with your peer TAs. Learn more about TA Orientation.

Workshops

The TI offers several workshops per week on different topics and strategies for effective teaching and learning. Topics include teaching with technology, experiential learning, educational research, providing feedback, and others. All workshops are free and require no previous knowledge. Several workshops under the same category can be taken towards mini-credentials called badges. View the workshop calendar.

Teaching and Learning Badges

In order to recognize the professional development of graduate students taking workshops, the TI offers micro-credentials called badges. There are five badge programs: Emerging Teachers Development, SoTL Foundations, Learning Spaces and Digital Pedagogies, Theories & Issues in Postsecondary Teaching and Learning, and Developing Your Teaching Dossier. Some of these badges are offered as cohort programs. All badges require about five workshops and one reflective assignment for completion. If you complete all five badge programs, you will earn a certificate. Learn more about the badge programs.

Graduate Student Certificate in University Teaching and Learning

This free certificate is a comprehensive teaching and learning training program offered through the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning at the University of Calgary. By collecting all badges and completing an average of five workshops and one reflective assignment per badge (as seen above), you will earn this certificate which will enhance your teaching philosophy and practices while also offering a CV-boosting credential. The certificate can be completed piece-by-piece over the course of your multi-year graduate program. Learn more about the certificate program.

Conference on Postsecondary Learning and Teaching

Every year, the TI hosts a themed conference on current issues and discoveries in the realm of teaching and learning. This is an excellent opportunity to network, as well as hear about teaching practices and research happening at the University of Calgary and beyond. Not only can students attend at a discounted registration end, but students are also encouraged to submit abstracts. Find out more about this year’s conference.