- Pedagogical Training (Voluntary)
- Compliance Training (Mandatory)
- TA Pedagogical Training Hub
- TA Brightspace Support Site
- Other Helpful Resources
Below you will find a quick guide to a collection of training opportunities and resources available to help you get started as a graduate or undergraduate teaching assistant at Carleton.
Pedagogical Training (Voluntary)
Pedagogical training refers to ongoing, voluntary training opportunities, available to all TAs conducted between September-November and January-March (deadlines are November 30 and March 30).
Teaching assistants have the opportunity, each academic year (September to end of March) in which they are assigned as TAs to complete up to five hours of paid pedagogical training. Training is offered in both the fall and winter terms, but it can only be completed for pay during the terms in which you are a TA. We strongly recommend completing training early in the semester, when there is time to implement what you have learned. Fall-only graduate TAs need to complete their training hours before November 30 to receive full payment; and winter-only and full-year TAs need to do so before March 30.
- How to register for TLS pedagogical training: TLS TA pedagogical training workshops are offered in two modalities:
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- Synchronous, live (on Zoom), which TAs can register for when they log in to Carleton Central, scroll to the TA Management section, and click “TA Training”.
- Asynchronous online (recorded) workshops hosted in D2L Brightspace TA Pedagogical Training Hub that TAs can take at their convenience. To enrol in this training page, send a request to TASupport@cunet.carleton.ca.
- TA Basics module: We encourage all new TAs (undergraduate and graduate) to begin their training by completing the TA Basics online module in the D2L Brightspace TA Pedagogical Training Hub.
- For additional training options, please visit the Graduate Professional Development event calendar.
Deadlines and Compensation
As pedagogical training is voluntary, it can be completed anytime throughout the term of your TA assignment. Upon completion, TAs will be compensated up to five hours of pay per year, paid out at the end of the term as per Article 23.01. Graduate Studies tracks the completion of and remuneration for all pedagogical training.
Compliance Training (Mandatory)
As per the Collective Agreement between CUPE 4600 (unit 1) and Carleton University, all TAs at Carleton are “required to successfully complete compliance training as a condition of employment as mandated by Ontario legislation” (14.01). As such, all Carleton TAs must complete the following online modules:
- AODA: Accessibility Standards for Customer Service
- AODA: Employment Standard Training
- Information and Communications Training
- EHS: Respect and Safety
- Worker Health and Safety Awareness
To complete compliance training, log in to Carleton Central, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the “Online Courses” section.
Deadlines and Compensation
This training must be completed by October 15 of the fall term; by February 15 of the winter term; and by June 1 of the summer term. Upon completion of this compliance training TAs will be compensated five hours pay as per Article 23.03. Compliance training is only required to be completed once during your employment at Carleton. Human Resources tracks the completion and remuneration for all compliance training.
Note: “the employer reserves the right to amend from time to time, and in accordance with legislative requirements, the […] list of compliance training modules. The union will receive written notification of such amendments at least six (6) weeks prior to their implementation” (14.01). This means that you can expect the suite of compliance training modules to grow over time, with all Carleton employees being responsible for making sure they are in full compliance.
TA Pedagogical Training Hub
TLS has launched a Brightspace page just for TAs that offers pre-recorded training videos, resource materials, and a forum for TAs to share resources related to online teaching. To enroll in the TA Pedagogical Training Hub, please contact TASupport@cunet.carleton.ca. Note that all TAs that were previously enrolled in the cuLearn edition of the TA Pedagogical Training Hub have been automatically added to the Brightspace version.
TA Brightspace Support Site
Brightspace is Carleton’s Learning Management System (LMS). You can log in at brightspace.carleton.ca using your MC1 credentials to begin exploring what is available to you. TLS has developed a Brightspace TA Support website, where you can find documentation on how to navigate and use the system, as well as a Getting Started in Brightspace for TAs video. TLS will also be offering consultations for TAs looking for one-on-one assistance.
Other Helpful Resources
For additional resources to help you succeed as a Carleton teaching assistant, please visit our Resources page.