Now that we're only a few weeks away from the start of the school year and only 4.5 days away from the start of Pre-Quarter workshop I'm running into new GTA's everywhere, all with questions about PQW.
FAQ's (with a few slacker questions that people actually asked)
1) Will there be food?FREE breakfast and coffee. Everyday. Last year it was from Brenen's (the coffee shop across from campus on High St. and 15th)
2) Do I have to get up in the morning? Yes, but you don't have to be there until 9:30am. It's usually over by 2:30pm and there is a lunch break. Work days don't get much shorter than that.
3) Do I have to do the reading? Will there be a quiz? No. Will you have a hard time planning your curriculum around readings you haven't done? Yes. Do them.
4) Will we do a lot of ice breakers, hand-holding, and crying?No. This training takes a more academic approach than some group training experiences. Your days will be filled with a mix of presentations, panels, and group discussions. We'll even throw in a few short practice teaching sessions. All of the group activities we do will either be discussion-based or we'll review assignments and give GTA's a chance to preview and participate in the cirriculum.
5) Will we have homework? Will I have free time? PQW is a much lighter version of the semester schedule, but it is a place to start balancing your workload. If you remember Scott's e-mail, there was a warning that PQW can be intense. The intensity comes from the amount of new information we're presenting and you're digesting.
My recommendation is to try as hard as you can to wrap up loose ends before PQW. If you have lingering summer work or are unpacking try to finish that in early September.
There will be 'assignments' related to course planning and design early in the workshop, and you'll want to spend most of your last two weeks pulling together your syllabus and lesson plans for the fall. We'll also base some sessions around readings that you'll be asked to do at night.
You won't have to kill yourself, but the more you get done during PQW the less you'll have to struggle to balance classes and teaching in fall.
6) Logistics (more than you need to know)
PQW begins at 9:30am at Denney Hall, Rm. 311.
You'll have chairs and folding tables that seat about 5 or 6 and you can usually leave your stuff in the room.
Breakfast will probably be bagels, yogurt, fruit, and coffee. I remember a rush on bananas last year, only the early-birds got them.
You'll get your own binders and university pens.
Bring a laptop if you want to, but there's no need to break your back carrying them if you don't want to. There are computer labs on the third floor you can use if you just need to check your e-mail during breaks.
You're welcome to stay in 311 if you brown bag it. I remember being incredibly broke this time last year. If you aren't, there are plenty of places within walking distance to explore.
The tempature in Denney is like the weather in Ohio, always changing. The air conditioning has been on lately, so I'd recommend a sweater, cardigan, light jacket, etc.
Hope this helps those of you obsessive planners out there. Tomorrow is a post from Scott DeWitt, so I'll see you again Friday.
