Are you, or do you know, a graduate student who is teaching for the first time in Autumn term? Mark your calendar—this year's Graduate Teaching Orientation (GTO), a foundational experience for Ohio State graduate students in formal teaching roles, will take place the week of August 18th.
Each year in August, 400-600 Graduate Teaching Associates (GTAs) from across the university attend Graduate Teaching Orientation. While some of these GTAs teach their own courses, others teach as lab or studio instructors, recitation leaders, or graders. In past years, participants have shared that orientation eased their concerns about teaching for the first time, helped them feel part of Ohio State’s GTA community, and gave them valuable teaching strategies they could apply in their new roles straightaway.
2025 Orientation Format
This year, GTO will be presented in a primarily virtual format the week of August 18 - August 22. Throughout the week, participants will work through an asynchronous Carmen course that introduces basic concepts of teaching and learning, encourages participants to reflect on their educational experiences, and guides them through the process of planning for the first day of their teaching appointment. Students will also have access to a variety of CarmenZoom workshop sessions on topics such as inclusive teaching, discussion facilitation, and effective presentation skills.
One day of in-person GTO activities will be held on Wednesday, August 20, including a workshop on active learning, an opportunity for hands-on teaching practice, and a resource fair.
Stay Informed
Individual GTAs, as well as those who support them, can email drakeinstitute@osu.edu to ask questions or be added to our GTO mailing list. Further details about orientation, including a schedule of sessions and link to the registration form, will be sent via email in May.