Teaching Assistant (Postsecondary)

Assist faculty or other instructional staff in postsecondary institutions by performing instructional support activities, such as developing teaching materials, leading discussion groups, preparing and giving examinations, and grading examinations or papers.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Graduate Assistant; Graduate Fellow; Graduate Research Assistant; Graduate Student; Graduate Student Instructor (GSI); Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA); Research Assistant (RA); Teaching Assistant (TA); Teaching Fellow

Tasks

• Teach undergraduate-level courses.
• Evaluate and grade examinations, assignments, or papers, and record grades.
• Lead discussion sections, tutorials, or laboratory sections.
• Develop teaching materials, such as syllabi, visual aids, answer keys, supplementary notes, or course Web sites.
• Inform students of the procedures for completing and submitting class work, such as lab reports.
• Return assignments to students in accordance with established deadlines.
• Prepare or proctor examinations.
• Tutor or mentor students who need additional instruction.
• Meet with supervisors to discuss students' grades or to complete required grade-related paperwork.
• Schedule and maintain regular office hours to meet with students.
• Order or obtain materials needed for classes.
• Copy and distribute classroom materials.
• Notify instructors of errors or problems with assignments.

Knowledge

• English Language
• Education and Training
• Computers and Electronics
• Mathematics

Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Learning Strategies
• Writing
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Active Learning

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Written Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Speech Clarity
• Near Vision
• Speech Recognition
• Fluency of Ideas
• Originality
• Problem Sensitivity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Category Flexibility
• Selective Attention