Bemidji State University
Center for Professional Development

Undergraduate Teaching Assessment Program

As an expression of its commitment to teaching and learning, the Center for Professional Development has developed a program which allows interested and qualified students to experience some of the challenges and rewards of college teaching by working closely with faculty as they prepare and teach their classes.

Program Features:

Qualified juniors and seniors who have been identified through faculty nominations serve as teaching associates in selected undergraduate courses under the tutelage of interested instructors.

Participating faculty and students meet several times during the semester as part of an informal seminar on college teaching to be conducted by the Center for Professional Development.

While no stipend is provided to participating students, the University will provide appropriate recognition to those involved. Some (non- M & E) resources may be available to fund travel to relevant conferences or other professional development opportunities. Student participation will be recorded on the official Student Development Transcript, if requested.

The intention is not for students to be involved in grading papers or in clerical work, but rather to assist in planning and at times in helping to teach classes under faculty supervision.

The student enrolls in a 1-2 credit course in the appropriate department under the appropriate independent study course number. NOTE: Students must obtain and complete an Arranged Course Form to be submitted to the Records Office. This course my be repeated, and will be graded S or U.

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Principles and Obligations:

FACULTY

Faculty will not expect students to devote more than six hours per week to their responsibilities in this program, including time actually spent in the undergraduate class to which they have been assigned.

Faculty will provide informal instruction and assistance to the teaching associate in accordance with the purpose of the program.

Faculty will not expect the teaching associate to "cover" classes in the instructor's absence, or to evaluate or grade student work.

Faculty will not expect the teaching associate to perform essentially clerical tasks such as recording grades.

Faculty will make a serious commitment to attend the seminars on college teaching offered as part of this program.

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STUDENTS

Student will attend their assigned class regularly and meet according to an arranged schedule with their supervising faculty member.

Students will enroll in a 1-2 credit course in the academic department of their supervising instructor.

Students will attend the seminars on college teaching offered as part of this program.

Students may be asked to provide periodic reports to the Center for Professional Development explaining the nature of their activities and evaluating the usefulness of the program.

To request that an application form be sent to you on-campus, e-mail the Center or phone us at 218-755-3984.

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