Accessibility Services, E19-226, 253-1674, http://web.mit.edu/dso/www
Accessibility Services aids students with learning or physical disabilities. For example, the office can arrange scribes for tests, or evaluate students’ needs for extra accommodations during exams.
Counseling and Support Services, 5-106, 253-4861, http://web.mit.edu/counsel/www
Counseling and Support Services provides both academic and personal counseling. It also organizes support groups for, among others, women, students of color, students with disabilities, gay and lesbian students.
ESL programs, contact Jane Dunphy, coordinator, 14N-312, 253-3069, dunphy@mit.edu, http://web.mit.edu/fll/www
Foreign Languages and Literatures offers a wide range of programs to help TAs whose first language is not English. These services include courses in speaking, listening, and writing, and individual tutoring (on a fee-for-service basis).
The Mental Health Service, E23-368, 253-2916
Mental health professionals are available for students in need.
The Teaching and Learning Laboratory (TLL), 7-131, 253-9419, tll@mit.edu, http://web.mit.edu/odsue/tll/www
TLL offers a number of different programs from workshops on teaching to individual consultations to recitation videotaping (see below). A teaching consultant can provide guidance on leading recitations, including how to improve delivery, encourage interaction, or handle classroom dynamics. Two programs of particular interest to TAs are:
- The Class Videotaping and Consulting Program. To arrange to have a recitation videotaped and to meet with a teaching consultant, complete our request form on-line at http://web.mit.edu/odsue/tll/www
- The Orientation for Graduate Teaching Staff. Held at the beginning of each school year in conjunction with the Graduate Education Office, the Orientation is a full day of activities designed to acquaint TAs with teaching at MIT.
The Torch or the Firehose: A Guide to Section Teaching by Professor Arthur P. Mattuck.
To order call TLL, 253-9419
The Torch or the Firehose (now in its second edition!) is an invaluable guide to section teaching. Topics covered include, for example, basic communication skills, asking and answering questions, evaluating students, and getting feedback.
The Writing and Communication Center, 14N-317, 253-3090
Tutors are available to help students improve their writing.
And in the departments:
The Graduate Administrators
Current and former TAs
Faculty members