This project demonstrates a hybrid model to onboarding teaching assistants at an intensive English program. The model uses a collaborative Wordpress blog platform as its foundation to support new teachers and track training evidence for accreditation compliance. Discussion will include lessons learned and adapting the model to different contexts.

1. The Collaborative Blog:
Serving Pre-Service Teachers &
Program Administrators
By: Dr. Erin O’Reilly and Val Abbott
Intensive English Institute

2. Who we are
 Key part of the IEI Mission:
 supporting graduate teaching assistants in
their professional development
 Need to comply with CEA standards

3. What we needed
• Training for new, inexperienced TAs
• Documentation of training
Alignment with
CEA standards
• To build a learning community
• Ongoing content instruction
• Within TA contract time parameters
Increased
support for TAs

4. What we did
 Developed a semester-long approach to TA orientation
and training
 Elements included:
 Revamped pre-semester orientation
 Added drafted teaching philosophy requirement
 Implemented hybrid collaborative reflection model
 Tech in the classroom presentation

5. Collaborative reflection blog
Hybrid
model
WordPress
platform
Journal
prompts

6. WordPress platform

8. Reflection questions about
the observation
Replies to the reflection
questions; sharing of
experience

9. Reaction to the student
feedback
Sharing a practice

10. F2F Brainstorming – Classroom Management

11. F2F Brainstorming – PD

12. Excerpt from Classroom Management
Debrief Meeting
Judith: When I see they’re, too like absent-minded or you know,
they’re not really in the classroom. Um, I- I have them do
an online practice on their phones. Uh, because I can just
quickly design it. So, I can just quickly ask a question
like survey among- among everybody.
Lucy: Ohh.
Judith: And they take their phones out, they know the code. They
have the app.
Ashley: That’s cool.
Judith: And um, yeah, so they- it makes them come back to the
classroom. And plus they love it because it’s with their
phones. It’s the same as if I ask the question on the board
put it on the board, but they love it because they get to-
Dir.: -touch their phones.
Judith: Yeah.
Ashley: (chuckling) Yeah.
Lucy: Do you do that with Socrative?
Judith: Yeah.
Catherine: I wanna explore that a little bit more (quietly).

13. Successes
 Central location for professional development evidence
 Building a learning community
 TAs felt valued regardless of experience level
 Safe environment
 Social bonding
 Exposure to a model of reflection

14. Future Considerations
 More explicit instruction on reflection and purpose of
the exercise
 Set up automatic prompt postings and reminders
 Not just TAs – new teachers as well
 Invite others to be mentors and participate in the
experience

15. Future Considerations
 More interaction on the blog or in-person, not an
increase in both
 Effects of required reflection/comments
 Holding a F2F meeting at the end, discussing the
effects of the experience