<p>In Mala Mandyam?s anthropology class last year, her teaching assistant brought a newspaper clip to class to begin discussion every week. The class focused on evolutionary anthropology and Mandyam said the clips always produced a vibrant debate.
<br/>In the classroom, activities such as these have allowed some students to better enjoy their discussion sections. And while some students say they have had positive experiences, others have had TAs who have been ineffective.
<br/>Most students said an effective TA first and foremost knows the material thoroughly.
<br/>?The good TAs I?ve had know the subject well enough to teach it in different ways, and the poorer TAs can just teach the material the way they perceive it,? said Aaron Chuidian, a third-year electrical engineering student.
<br/>Chuidian added he appreciates TAs who make themselves available, hold extra review sessions for the midterm and final, and adapt to the needs of the class.
<br/>Christina Canseco, a fourth-year communication studies student, said when TAs lead discussion they normally focus on making everyone talk during the section for participation. But TAs should focus more on equipping students with a real understanding of the subject rather than focusing on the appearance of having a lively discussion, she said.
<br/>Canseco said she has only had one good experience with a TA in her time at UCLA.
<br/>?This TA had a good knowledge of the subject and was helpful in fully explaining the material,? Canseco said.
<br/>Canseco said most of her other TAs only knew as much as the students did about the subject and that her TAs were learning along with the her, making it difficult for her to grasp the subject matter.
<br/>Shen Ow, a fourth-year communication studies student, also said TAs who are unfamiliar with the subject matter would not be able to offer as much input or criticism on the student?s work.
<br/>?It?s not helpful to have a TA who doesn?t know his stuff, and I wouldn?t expect a TA who doesn?t know the subject as well to grade me as harshly as someone who did,? Ow said.
<br/>But some students appreciate the personable qualities of TAs as well, such as those who are approachable and make themselves available for office hours and outside appointments.
<br/>Students also find that direct and fast e-mail communication with their TAs is helpful whenever they have questions about the class and lecture.
<br/>Vani Patel, a third-year biochemistry student, said she believes it should take a maximum of two days for a TA to reply to a student?s e-mail, since fluid communication between the two is vital.
<br/>Students said though they understand that TAs may not have the answers to every question they may have for the class, they still need to feel that the TA can find and obtain the right answer.
<br/>?Even if they don?t know the answer (to something) a quick response saying ?I will look into the matter? is helpful and reassuring,? said Ritoban Banerjee, a student at the UCLA Anderson School of Management.</p><br><br><a href='http://www.dailybruin.com/news/articles.asp?id=39146&#039; target='_blank'>http://www.dailybruin.com/news/articles.asp?id=39146&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br>