GTA Toolkit is a series of monthly workshops offered throughout the fall and spring semesters, led by graduate students for graduate students. Workshops cover a range of topics meant to reinforce or deepen graduate students’ understanding of teaching and learning strategies they can immediately apply to practice. Toolkit workshops are also an opportunity for graduate students to learn from each other and build community around a culture of teaching at Ohio State.
GTA Toolkit workshops are designed by graduate students for graduate students. They aim to support participants’ professional development, engage them in reflection and discussion, and build community among graduate instructors on campus who are passionate about improving their teaching. All graduate students, regardless of teaching experience, are welcome to attend. View descriptions and registration information for upcoming GTA Toolkit workshops below.
Autumn 2025 GTA Toolkit Workshops
Whether they are teaching as a grader, recitation leader, lab instructor, or lead instructor, most graduate student instructors find themselves engaging in a few core teaching activities. This semester our Graduate Teaching Toolkit workshops will address core competencies that every GTA needs, including grading, facilitating discussions with students, and supporting students as they engage in group work.
September: Facilitating Engaging Classroom Discussions
Have you ever asked a question in class only to be met with blank stares and uncomfortable silence? Not sure how to facilitate discussions that are effective and purposeful? Here, we put these topics into practice. This workshop introduces participants to skills, strategies, and best practices in facilitating effective discussions. Alongside other graduate instructors, participants will experiment with crafting discussion questions and building classroom environments that spark real conversation – all in a relaxed, supportive setting.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify the benefits and challenges of classroom discussions
- Write engaging discussion questions
- Choose effective discussion structures and formats
- Manage discussions in a way that promotes balanced participation
October: Fair and Efficient Grading
How can we grade fairly and quickly without sacrificing student learning? This workshop introduces participants to skills, strategies, and best practices in grading student work. Participants will have the opportunity to practice designing rubrics and developing grading practices and alternatives to grading in an informal and supportive learning environment with other members of the graduate student community.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop confidence in implementing fair grading practices
- Utilize rubrics as a transparent and efficient way to provide feedback and help improve learning
- Explore different grading practices and structures, including alternatives to traditional grading, to help students meet pedagogical aims
November: Facilitating Group Work
Group work often sparks groans and dread, but it doesn’t have to. With the right strategies, groups can be genuinely collaborative communities instead of just siloed teams. In this Graduate Teaching Toolkit, instructors will learn strategies for facilitating effective group work in their courses. All graduate students, regardless of teaching experience, are welcome to attend.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify the benefits of group work within and beyond the classroom
- Gain confidence crafting a variety of group work activities that reflect course goals
- Explore strategies to identify and manage challenges related to group work
- Reflect on methods to conclude and assess group work
Who facilitates the workshops?
All GTA Toolkit workshops are developed and facilitated by Drake Institute Graduate Consultants, advanced graduate students at Ohio State who have demonstrated exemplary instruction and a commitment to advancing teaching and learning.
Drake Institute Graduate Consultants
New team members will be joining our office in August.