TPD Catalyst Information for ECB Scholars

This page is meant primarily for teams enrolled in the ECB Scholars program, to provide resources and expectations for submitting the “TPD Catalyst Product” by the end of the program year. Here is an outline (with quick links) of page sections:

TPD CATALYST: OVERVIEW AND STRUCTURE

The TPD Catalyst will be a living repository of TPD information, resources, and curriculum for individuals and institutions to use in their Teaching Professional Development programs for Teaching Assistants (TA-TPD). Enzymes like DNA polymerase beta (in the logo) are catalysts that lower the “activation energy” necessary for a chemical reaction to go forward. In that same spirit, the TPD Catalyst is meant to help lower the energy investment required of individuals seeking to support TAs in their teaching and professional development, to make it more likely that a disciplinary transformation and widespread adoption of TA-TPD can take place.

This resource will be created via collaboration between the Evolving the Culture of Biology leadership team, several cohorts of ECB Scholars, and eventually the broader BioTAP network of TPD providers and Catalyst users.

Check out this talk from the 2023 BioTAP Conference if you’d like a multimedia version of this overview that summarizes the long-term vision for the TPD Catalyst.

The TPD Catalyst will consist of the following components:

  • Introduction. Key Information about TPD programs (e.g., various models, evidence for effectiveness, benefits of TPD for students and TAs, etc.)
  • Topic Index. Expandable hierarchy of TPD Topics and corresponding Learning Outcomes
  • Curriculum Modules. Activities and formative assessments aligned to each LO (per TPD Topic)
  • TPD Assignments. Assessments for TAs in TPD courses with assignment descriptions and rubrics (e.g., class capture and peer consultation experiences, statement of teaching philosophy, lesson plan development, etc.)
  • Evidence-based Teaching Resources. Lists of inclusive and evidence-based teaching (EBT) strategies aligned to the Topic Index (to be used alongside TPD programming and/or provided directly to TAs for their reference)

AUTHORSHIP, ATTRIBUTION, AND SHARING OF RESOURCES

In leveraging our shared experience and expertise to build this resource, we also want to acknowledge the hard work and intellectual property contributed by ECB Scholars and members of the TPD community. To do this…

Entries will be clearly attributed to authors, and we intend for TPD Catalyst resources to be citable in ways that are analogous to other recognized forms of scholarship. Given the goal of disseminating effective TA-TPD practices, resources will be made available to users through a Creative Commons license (CC BY-NC-SA; link), as a way of striking the balance between acknowledging author contributions while ensuring free and widespread use. If you have questions, concerns, or insights about contributions and recognition of TPD Catalyst materials, please reach out to ECB leadership.

OPTIONS FOR ECB SCHOLARS (“TPD CATALYST PRODUCTS”)

As a part of the ECB Scholars program, teams are expected to submit at least one entry (a “TPD Catalyst Product”) to the ECB team for potential inclusion in the TPD Catalyst (pending leadership approval and scholar permission). There are two ways that ECB Scholar teams can choose to contribute:

  1. Curriculum Module. Pick at least one learning outcome from the Topic Index (or propose a new topic/outcome); develop aligned instructional materials to meet that outcome, including at least one formative assessment
  2. TPD Assignment. Develop a formal assessment for TAs to complete as a part of a TPD experience, including the assignment overview, instructions for TAs to complete it, and a rubric with detailed evaluation criteria

TOOLS AND EXAMPLES FOR ECB SCHOLARS

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