Training
Mandatory training is provided to Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA) who undertake their first appointment at Laurier. You will have access to practical information to help you navigate and succeed in your important role in the classroom.
GTA's who undertake their first appointment at Laurier in the 2023-24 academic year (September 2023 to August 2024) must:
- Complete all university and legislatively-mandated training within two (2) weeks of the commencement of their first GTA contract.
- Provide their Certificates of Completion (generated on MyLS upon completion of their module) to the administrative assistant (or designate) within their department/academic unit.
In training, you will learn:
- health and safety requirements
- requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
- best practices in teaching
- university supports and procedures
Learning Outcomes
By the end of training, you will be able to:
- Observe employment rules and regulations including workplace accommodation, health and safety and employment standards.
- Build a foundational knowledge in best practices for teaching.
- Identify and respond to students in need of elevated levels of support.
Required Training
Individuals taking up their first assistantship in the 2023-24 academic year will be required to complete up to 4.5 hours of mandatory training (compensated in accordance with Article 18, but shall not count as hours in fulfilment of the Employment contract). All the modules will be completed online and are available on MyLearningSpace (MyLS).
Each GTA required to complete the mandatory training must provide their Certificates of Completion (generated on MyLS upon completion of the module) to the administrative assistant (or designate) within their department/academic unit.
GTAs who have completed any of the required training modules for previous roles are not required to repeat the training. They must download their Certificate(s) of Completion, and submit it to the administrative assistant (or designate) within their department/academic unit.
The training will provide GTAs with mandatory health and safety training. It is a self-registration course within MyLS. Complete Part 1 before registering in Part 2.
This secondary training will ensure GTA's have completed the on-line training and will test their knowledge and offer a Q and A period. Register for an upcoming session.
Note: This is the only module which does not generate a Certificate of Completion. GTAs are asked to provide their date of attendance to the administrative assistant (or designate) within their department/academic unit.
In this “course”, please choose the module for Faculty and Educators. The course covers the principles of universal design, the human rights code, embedding accessibility considerations into teaching and assessment and our legal obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
This module is designed to help Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA's) build a foundational knowledge in best practices for teaching. GTAs will learn strategies on how to create a community and inclusive learning environment from their first day, how to actively engage students in the learning process, and how to give and receive feedback. At the end of the module, GTA's will be connected to further resources that can support their teaching practice and will be required to submit a “3-2-1” reflection.