UW CSE 12x/14x TA Program

Section

Every student taking CSE 12x/14x is required to register for a quiz section, a biweekly meeting for one hour of about 20 students led by a TA.

Each section has a set of practice problems and number of examples provided by the course staff. In section the TA will help the students walk through these problems to further solidify the concepts learned in lecture. This provides the students a more personal environment for learning and an opportunity to practice the skills learned from lecture.

While the instructor dictates certain aspects of section, TAs are given a significant amount of flexibility. For example, some TAs heavily emphasize group work in section, while other TAs choose to spend part of section presenting a "mini-lecture" on recently taught concepts. Designing and preparing for section is one of a TA's most important duties.

Grading

Throughout the course students will submit bi-weekly programming assignments. In CSE 12x, grading assignments are randomized such that a TA will grade a random set of student submissions each week. TAs are also expected to grade computer quizzes.

In addition to assignment and computer quiz grading, all TAs are required to participate in final exam grading when the course dictates.

Introductory Programing Lab (IPL)

In addition to teaching students in their own sections, TAs spend a minimum of 1 hour per week aiding students conducting office hourse, usually in the Introductory Programming Lab (IPL). For further information on the IPL please see the IPL info page.

Meetings

TAs performing the "shuffle dance" (an old TA tradition) at a community meeting.

To keep all TAs up to date, there are various required weekly meetings.

Course Staff Meeting

TAs attend one weekly staff meeting (1.5 hours) specifically for their course in which the instructor and head TA present material to teach and grade the students for the week. This meeting ensures that all TAs are consistent in what they teach in section as well as how they grade assignments.

Community Meeting

TAs come together once per week in community meetings to discuss how to help students in the IPL. Since the IPL is a shared office hours space for all CSE 12x students, we use this time to ensure that all TAs understand how to help students in the IPL regardless of what course's assignment they are working on. We also use this time to eat snacks and goof off a little – it's a good time to meet and talk with other TAs!

New TA Training

During their first quarter, new TAs are required to attend a weekly 1.5-hour training session led by the TA coordinators. The first few trainings focus on basic course logistics (grading assignments, managing the IPL, UW employee services, etc.). The remaining sessions are involve practicing presentation and student interaction skills. A secondary goal of the trainings is to build a sense of comradery among the cohort of new TAs.

Grading Party

Every week the Head TA of each course hosts a grading party where TAs get together to grade assignments. This is a great opportunity for TAs to ask questions about grading. Grading parties are only required for new TAs but returning TAs are always welcome.