Who We Are
BioTAP began in 2013 as an NSF-funded network to bring together Biology TA TPD providers, who often work in isolation with little empirical research to inform their work. The network brings together TPD practitioners to share ideas and build the capacity for empirical research on TPD practices.
As of 2023, there are over 250 BioTAP network members located across the US and in Canada, South America, Europe, and beyond!
What We Do
The vision of BioTAP is for all institutions to provide effective TPD to graduate and undergraduate instructors so that they can deliver the best possible teaching and learning environment for undergraduate students in their classes
To do so, our mission is to provide resources and support collaborations among TPD providers, share ideas about effective TPD practices, foster research to build empirical data on TPD effectiveness, and advocate for TPD programs for graduate and undergraduate instructors at all institutions.
Why We’re Needed
Undergraduate institutions face increasing demands to improve teaching and learning in introductory science courses, which are gateways to the biology major. While faculty are important, much of the one on one instruction at the introductory level is between undergraduates and teaching assistants (TAs).
Despite TAs’ vital roles, they often do not get enough rigorous, evidence-based TPD to maximize their students’ learning. BioTAP’s goal is to make both research and training resources available to TA TPD providers.
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