Teaching in the Canadian Classroom (TCC)

DESCRIPTION

Teaching in the Canadian Classroom (TCC) is a 20-hour certificate program composed of:

  • 15 in-person class hours over 3 days, including 2 microteaching sessions
  • 5 hours of asynchronous online work

This program is open to all Western graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who want to enhance their teaching through a socio-cultural lens.

Students will explore questions such as:

  • What does the Canadian post-secondary classroom look like?
  • How can I design effective lesson plans?
  • Which classroom teaching strategies are best suited for my teaching context?

Topics

  • Intercultural communication
  • Intercultural classrooms
  • Classroom management
  • Student content tools on OWL
  • Active learning techniques
  • Marking
  • Microteaching
  • Constructive feedback

The program aims to build on the participants’ skills, expertise, experience, and teaching identity. TCC also supports participants in practicing and reflecting on their teaching, while engaging with peers in a supportive atmosphere.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the program, participants will be able to:

  • Reframe their understanding of the nature, norms, and values of the classrooms at Western University and how to navigate them to excel at and enjoy teaching.
  • Recognize and develop their unique teaching persona.
  • Develop their teaching skills for enhanced confidence in the classroom by designing and delivering lessons using the Bridge-Outcomes-Pre-Assessment-Participatory Learning-Post-Assessment-Summary (BOPPPS) model.
  • Assess the role of culture in giving effective feedback and practice giving and responding to feedback.

What to expect

This program includes asynchronous online work and required in-class days. In-class sessions are on days three (10:00AM to 4:00PM), four (10:00AM to 4:00PM) and five (10:00AM to 4:00PM).

Participants will break for lunch from 12:00-1:00PM each day.

On the first in-person day, the large class will meet in the morning and afternoon. On the second and third in-person days, the large class will meet in the morning and microteaching sessions with smaller groups will be scheduled during the afternoons, starting at 1:00PM.

Research on the impact of TCC

Program Information

Upcoming Sessions

The next Teaching in the Canadian Classroom program will be delivered in the Summer 2025 semester. Below are the required in-person/on-campus days for each session:

  • TCC 1: Wednesday, July 16th to Friday, July 18th
  • TCC 2: Monday, August 25th to Wednesday, August 27th
  • TCC 3: Wednesday, September 10th to Friday, September 12th

Note: Required online and asynchronous prep work will be available to complete through a TCC Brightspace site before each session. Registered participants will be notified.

Audience

International and new resident graduate students and postdoctoral scholars are prioritized, but all graduate students are welcome.

Registration

Registration will open in Connect a month before each delivery.

Registration Instructions

Steps to register to available TCC offerings:

  1. Login to Western Connect using your Western username and password. 
  2. Go to the Event Calendars section and select the Centre for Teaching and Learning calendar.
  3. Select ONE session you would like to attend from the calendar. Details and a description will appear.
  4. Select the Register on Waiting List button. You will receive an automated waitlist confirmation email to your Western email account.
  5. Submit your $20 deposit (exact cash or cheque only) to the CTL located in Weldon Library, Room 200 to complete your registration and secure your spot in the program on a first come first serve basis. The CTL is open to receive deposits between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday. If you are unable to be on-campus, you can mail the deposit by cheque.
  6. If there is a spot for you in the program, you will receive a registration confirmation email to your Western email account after we receive your deposit, which means you are officially registered in the program.

Due to limited enrolment, we are not able to accept everyone who registers on the waitlistist. Registration is on a first come first serve basis upon receipt of the $20 refundable deposit. Once the program spots are full, you will remain on the waitlist and will be notified if a spot becomes available. If a spot does not become available for you, we encourage you to register for the next offering of TCC (please see the section "Offered" on the TCC webpage).

If you have any questions or problems registering for an event, please consult our Registration Help Page for our Cancellation Policy, FAQs and more or contact ctl@uwo.ca.

Prerequisites / Recommended Preparation

None

Completion Requirements

Participants who complete all components of the workshop will receive a certificate of completion.

Offered

Typically offered three times per year in the Winter, Spring/Summer and Fall semesters.

Applies to following certificates

Western Certificate in University Teaching and Learning

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