For those of us lucky enough to have a teaching assistant, one of the biggest challenges is to empower and involve them in the teaching and learning cycle. It’s one thing to have them grade papers, handle admin tasks, and answer the occasional student question. It’s another to give your TA tasks that allow them to feel that they are truly reaching students.
In this article, we'll explain exactly how you can leverage your TA to empower both you and your students and feel like they're making a meaningful difference!
Teacher Assistants Can Make Digital Flashcards for Your Class
Brainscape’s (free) mobile & online flashcard tool is the perfect job for your TA to help all of your students learn twice as fast, improve their motivation, and become more confident.
Teachers often ask their teaching assistants to create decks of digital flashcards (either in a web browser or via a .csv upload) that are aligned with each topic. They can do this manually or use our AI toolkit to turn study notes into flashcards within minutes.
Then, by sharing the class URL in Brainscape, students can easily study the flashcards in either a web browser or on their phones, wherever they are.
Brainscape's study process is adaptive learning, showing learners flashcards just before they're likely to forget them, i.e., right in their zone of proximal development. Our app's social learning tactics and rewards for study completion boost motivation. With less time spent wondering what to study, learners can save their mental energy for simply learning.
Teacher Assistants Can Ask Students to Help
Your TA can even enlist students to create the flashcards themselves. It’s easy to manage “editing permissions” so that you can control how collaborative your flashcard environment is. The best part is that whichever way you create the flashcards for your class, you can track students’ study habits.
FAQ: How to Use a Teacher Aide Effectively?
How can you be an effective teacher aide?
An effective teacher aide supports both the teacher and students by being proactive, organized, and student-focused. This includes helping prepare materials, reinforcing instructions, monitoring progress, and maintaining a positive, respectful rapport with students.
How to use teacher aides in the classroom?
Teacher aides can support instruction in many ways: circulating during group work, providing one-on-one support, preparing lesson resources, managing transitions, and keeping students on task. The key is clear communication and aligning their efforts with your instructional goals.
How to use support staff effectively?
Support staff are most effective when their roles are clearly defined and aligned with student needs. Consider their strengths, provide ongoing feedback, and involve them in planning when appropriate. Building trust and collaboration leads to stronger student outcomes.
How should a Teaching Assistant behave?
A TA should model professionalism, patience, and respect. They should be reliable, discreet with student information, open to feedback, and committed to fostering a supportive learning environment. Being approachable and adaptable also goes a long way.
Engage Your TAs, Engage Your Class
Teacher assistants are a gift. Employing them effectively makes a meaningful difference for your students. Having them organize the creation of digital flashcards for your class is a great way to get them involved and support your students' learning.
If you think this might be the perfect job for your TA this semester, why not invite them to our free flashcard creation tools? After all, they're proven to improve students' attention spans!