Engineering GSI Teaching Orientation

New Fall 2023 Engineering Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs) are REQUIRED to fulfill teaching orientation requirements.

If you are an IA for the College of Engineering, please visit the Engineering IA Teaching Orientation page here.

The Engineering GSI Teaching Orientation (EGSITO) will be separated into 3 parts.

Part 1 of EGSITO is a set of asynchronous Canvas course modules available to new GSIs from August 13 to September 4, 2023. The assignments are due on September 4, 2023. Part 1 contains the following required modules:

- Welcome to Teaching in the College of Engineering
- Teaching Policies
- Act for Equity: A Presentation by the CRLT Players
- Inclusive & Equitable Teaching
- Introduction to the Science of Learning
- Planning Effective Lessons
- Teaching Engineering at the University of Michigan
- Mental Health & Well-Being for Instructors & Students
- Teaching with Technology
- Resources

Download the GSI Resource Packet

Part 2 (Practicing Teaching) – consists of a synchronous Practice Teaching session (one meeting where you present a short lesson to a small group and offer feedback on the presentations of other GSIs/IAs). Sign-up will be during Part 1 of the training, and there will be a choice of an in-person or virtual session. There will be dozens of sessions for you to choose from, so you can pick something that works for your schedule. In-person sessions will be held at Gorguze Family Laboratory on North Campus (2609 Draper Drive, Ann Arbor, MI).

Part 3 (Ongoing Professional Development) – is required for IAs in CSE and ECE and for all GSIs. (You will be excused from Part Three if you don’t fit into one of those categories.) For this part of the orientation, you will need to complete one of two options.

Option #1: Attend one of several workshops held throughout the semester (different dates/times, various configurations of fully online / hybrid / in-person) and then write a short reflection, which will be due on November 29.

Option #2: Sign up for and participate in a Midterm Student Feedback (MSF) session with one of our GSI consultants. Both Option #1 and Option #2 should require around 2-3 hours of your time.

For questions about requirements, please email coe-new-instructor-training@umich.edu. Any new GSI who does not complete the training requirements will not be allowed to serve as a College of Engineering GSI in future terms.

Fall 2023 Orientation Details

Dates:

- Part 1 is from August 13 – September 4
- Part 2 is a synchronous practice teaching session, held between Sunday, August 20 and Friday, September 1
- Part 3 is due on November 29

Time: Part 1 is asynchronous; Part 2 is at a time selected by the GSI; Part 3 is dependent on your choice of workshop or going through the Midterm Student Feedback (MSF) process.

Location: Part 1 is an online Canvas course.

Part 2 is via Zoom or in-person; In-person sessions will be held at Gorguze Family Laboratory on North Campus (2609 Draper Drive, Ann Arbor, MI).

The location of Part 3 is dependent on your choice of workshop or going through the Midterm Student Feedback (MSF) process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where is EGSITO located?

A: Part 1 of the Engineering GSI Teaching Orientation (EGSITO) is held online, within a virtual Canvas course.

Part 2 of EGSITO includes Practice Teaching, which is available either virtually or in-person. In-Person sessions will be held at Gorguze Family Laboratory on North Campus (2609 Draper Drive, Ann Arbor, MI).

Part 3 is required for IAs in CSE and ECE and for all GSIs. (You will be excused from Part Three if you don’t fit into one of those categories.) For this part of the orientation, you will need to complete one of two options. Option #1: Attend one of several workshops held throughout the semester (different dates/times, various configurations of fully online / hybrid / in-person) and then write a short reflection, which will be due on November 29. Option #2: Sign up for and participate in a Midterm Student Feedback (MSF) session with one of our GSI consultants.

Q: Am I required to attend EGSITO?

A: All new College of Engineering GSIs are required to attend EGSITO. Any new GSI who does not complete the training requirements will not be allowed to serve as a College of Engineering GSI in future terms. Returning College of Engineering GSIs who have already attended orientation do not need to attend.

Q: How do I access the Canvas course?

A: In order to gain access to the Canvas course when it opens, please make sure your appointment is confirmed with your department. If you do not get an invite to the Canvas course by the start of the semester, please email coe-new-instructor-training@umich.edu.

Q: How can I receive accommodations?

A: If you would benefit from accommodations, please let us know by emailing coe-new-instructor-training@umich.edu. We will do our best to provide appropriate accommodations in order to facilitate full participation in the orientation. See the Michigan Services for Students with Disabilities website for more guidance.

Q: What tools will I need?

A: Before you begin, please make sure you have:

An internet connection capable of streaming video clips (for some, but not all, modules).
Writing materials: You may choose to write out your reflections in a journal or notebook, type them on a computer or mobile device, or record yourself speaking aloud. Whatever the method, we strongly encourage you to actually record your thoughts when doing the reflections and activities, as this will help you develop your thinking as you work through the modules at your own pace. You may find your notes especially helpful to reference as you plan for your upcoming course, discussion section, or lab.
The syllabus and any other information you have available to you about your GSI/IA role and responsibilities for your upcoming teaching appointment, as this will be a helpful reference to you as you work your way through the orientation.