Engineering GSI & IA Teaching Orientation

A: Part 1 of the Engineering GSI/IA Teaching Orientation (E-GSI/IA TO) is held online, within a virtual Canvas course.

Part 2 – Practice Teaching is offered both online via Zoom and in-person at the Gorguze Family Laboratory.

Part 3 – Ongoing Professional Development is required for IAs in CSE and ECE and for all GSIs. (You will be excused from Part 3 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, or in-person) and write a short reflection about the workshop.
• Option #2: Within the Canvas course, you will be prompted to sign up for and participate in a Midterm Student Feedback (MSF) session with one of our Engineering Teaching Consultants (ETCs). Learn more about MSFs here.

A: All new College of Engineering GSIs and IAs are required to attend E-GSI/IA TO. Any new GSI or IA who does not complete the training requirements will not be allowed to serve as a College of Engineering IA in future terms.

Returning College of Engineering GSIs and IAs who have already attended orientation do not need to complete any training that they have already completed. They may be asked to complete additional training elements as required by the College of Engineering.

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.

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.

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

• A laptop, computer, tablet, or mobile device to access the online training modules. 
• An internet connection capable of streaming video clips (this is necessary 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.

A: All GSIs and IAs in the College of Engineering (CoE) are required to complete the following training elements: Part 1 – Canvas Orientation Training Modules and Part 2 – Practice Teaching.

Part 3 – Ongoing Professional Development is required for IAs in CSE and ECE and for all GSIs. You will be excused from Part 3 if you don’t fit into one of those categories.

If you were a CoE GSI or IA in the past and did not complete the required training elements, you must complete them as a returning student instructor.

You will be added to a Canvas course that contains your required training. For questions about requirements, please email coe-new-instructor-training@umich.edu.