UCLA Computer Science TA FAQ

This document answers some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Teaching Assistants (TAs) in the UCLA Computer Science Department.

Feel free to add, correct, or organize the information in this document, and share YOUR experience. If you are a TA, you should have write permission to this file: /u/class/ta/faq.html

On the Web this document is http://www.cs.ucla.edu/classes/ta/faq.html.


QUESTIONS


Getting Started
Who is the TA Coordinator (TAC) for the dept?
Who were the TACs of the past?
What courses do I put on my study list?
How do I receive TA notices?
What is there to know about paychecks and paperwork?
Where can I find out what old TA's did?
Who are the TAs for the past few quarters?


Duties and Responsibilities
What are "Discussion Sections"?
What are "Lab Sections"?
What about Lectures?
How many office hours do I need to hold?
What are my grading duties?


Accessing TA Materials

Where do I store on-line class materials?

Where do I get copycards?
Where do I get supplies?
Where and How do I make APS's for my class?
How can I set up a newsgroup for my class?
How can I get text books?
How can I get a laptop projector for my discussion?
Can I use an online gradebook? How?
How can I access an old class' TA materials (such as handouts)?
Are there any useful scripts available?


Webpages (Fall 2004 and after)

How do I edit my class webpages?

How do I get permission to modify the webpage?
What should the website contain?
What is the "Forum"?


Webpages (prior to Fall 2004)

How do I edit my class webpages?

How do I get permission to access these files?
What should the website contain?
What is the "Discussion Board"?
What is the "private" area for?
What are "Virtual Office Hours"?

Locations

Where is the TA Office?

Where do I pick up TA evals?
Where do students hand-in homework?
Where do I meet students?
How can I get in these rooms?
My swipe key doesn't work.

Useful Web Sites

UCLA Catalog of classes

Academic Calendar
UCLA Schedule of Classes URSA On-line You can look at your study list and enroll online.
UCLA electronic directory Look up students.
UCLA libraries - computer science
CS 495 class webpage
CS /r/share1 repository
CS user-run FAQ (answers to common questions)
CS newsgroups archive, including "ta" announcements
CS Archives

Contributing to this FAQ

How can I contribute to this FAQ?


ANSWERS


Getting Started


Who is the TA Coordinator (TAC) for the dept?


Who should you talk to when you have questions about locks for mailboxes in the Learning Lounge (BH 4428)?
What if you need white-board markers (or erasers)?
For questions in general, contact the current TAC, Gruia Pitigoi-Aron gpitigoi@cs.ucla.edu or tac@cs.ucla.edu

Who were the past TACs?

What courses do I put on my study list?

If you are taking TA training this Fall (this includes everyone
who has not taken this course yet and who will be teaching in some
quarter this year),

  Sign up for CS 495 (Course# 587-770-200).  This class is 2 units. 
  All the new TAs will meet twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday from 12 to 2pm
  in Boelter 2760) and Prof. Richard Korf will 
  go over issues in teaching Computer Science.

If you are TA'ing a course in any quarter,

  Sign up for CS 375 (Course# 587-620-200).  This is a variable unit
  course, 1-4 units.  Usually, people choose 4 units. There are no
  meetings for this class.

Thus we have 3 options:

  1) Old TA who has taken CS 495 before, teaching in Fall: 4 units of 375 
  2) New or Old TA who has not taken CS 495 (4 units of 375) + (2 units of 495)
  3) New or Old TA who has not taken CS495, not teaching in Fall 1996: 2 units of 495

You can check your study list or even enroll on-line.

How do I receive TA notices?

You should receive all TA notices by e-mail. Look in /u/class/ta/dist-ta.list. If your login name is not in this file, send mail to the current TAC.

All TA notices are also posted to the "ta" newsgroup. (In case you can't access your mail because of a computer crash.) Old "ta" newsgroup messages are archived.

What is there to know about paperwork and paychecks

As far as filling out paperwork, picking-up paychecks or arranging for your paychecks to be direct deposited into a checking acct. You will want to talk to Josephine Aragon (jaragon@cs). She handles all payroll matters for TA's. It is not a bad idea to check in with her occasionally to make sure everything is in order.

Also sign your TA contract before the quarter begins. You will have to go to Jessica Evans for this.

Where can I find out what old TAs did?

To see what old TAs did or had access to; first try looking online. In the TA list for the current quarter, there are links to previous quarter lists and materials, and you will be able to find out who the old ta was and what his/her e-mail address is. Second, try looking in the TA archive, for which you will need to contact the TAC and make an appt to get access to this material. The TA archive was started Spring '96, in an effort to give new TAs the experience of old TAs. Addendum by TAC: Contact me to get this information, it is stored in a file cabinet and I can loan out the files when requested.

Who are the TAs for the past few quarters?

This website has the past TAs with their email addresses. If you have questions about the class, they are a great resource.


Duties and Responsibilities


What are "Discussion Sections"?

These are held only for courses. Your interaction with the students will mainly be during the Discussion sections, usually during Fridays. You might be in charge of more than one section. This time is used to go over the material that was covered during lectures by the professor - new material is not introduced unless the professor asks you to do so. Presenting examples and solving problems are a good way to review the material. Students are encouraged to ask questions. Depending on your class, you may also have to: Give quizzes, collect homeworks, give back graded homeworks and quizzes, discuss homework/quiz solutions, go over programming exercises.

What are "Lab Sections"?

Usually, you start out by going over the work that has to be done during that day. You will also have to go over any theory that they might require. You then move around helping the students do their experiments.

What about Lectures?

These are given by the professor. It is up to you and the professor to decide if you need to attend them.

How many office hours do I need to hold?

You are expected to hold two office hours per week. Preferably, hold them on different days and times so that all students can make it to at least one of them. Also, try to schedule office hours to span standard class times. In other words, an office hour from 9:30-10:30, 11:30-12:30, 1:30-2:30, or 3:30-4:30 will allow a lot more students to be able to attend. You can ask your students for suitable times before fixing your office hours. Extra office hours may be held during examination weeks. Post your regular office hours in the file /u/class/ta/ugrad.html

Office hours are usually held in Boelter 4428.

What are my grading duties?

Talk with the professor to find out about homeworks and quizzes (how many, when will they be given, who will prepare the questions/solutions, grading scheme ...) If you handle over 45 students ask your professor if you can get a "grader" (usually an undergraduate who has taken the course previously and who will grade the homeworks for you; you will still be responsible for collecting and giving back the homeworks). Make sure that you return graded material in time.

You can collect homeworks in class or ask them to drop it off in one of the drop-boxes in Boelter 4428. Pick an empty one, label the box clearly, and contact the TAC for a combination lock.

How can I get textbooks?

The department should have ordered a textbook for your use during the quarter. Contact Brenda Ramirez in suite 4732, and she can order a textbook for you if she doesn't have it already.

How can I get a laptop projector for my discussion?

Material/Building services has laptops (with Windows 98 and Powerpoint) and laptop projectors. Fill up their "AVS MSR" form at www.matserv.ucla.edu. Don't fill in the recharge ID. Do give your course number and professor's name. They should then confirm your order. You can pick up the equipment from their office in Boelter 2685 (entrance from the outside corridor).


Accessing TA Materials


Where do I store on-line class materials?

Class materials are stored in /u/class/yyyy/csXXX. The web address is http://www.cs.ucla.edu/classes/yyyy/. Where yyyy is the term, fall98, winter97, etc.

If you can't create your files, check to see if you are in the "ta" group with "ypmatch ta group." If your login name is not on this list, send mail to the current TAC.

Where do I get copycards?

Each TA is allowed a copycard for making class-related photocopies. To get a copy card, talk to Jessica Evans. A $5 deposit is required.

Where do I get supplies?

A TA should not pay for any supplies necesary for teaching a class. Things like paper, folders, staplers, transparencies, dry-erase markers/erasers, etc. may be obtained. Contact Korina Pacyniak (in BH 4532N) or Stacy Kush (in BH 3531K).

Where and How do I make APS for my class?

APS stands for Academic Publishing Service, which is the on campus service for a professor or TA to produce some type of manual, or supplemental for their class. APS is located in the ASUCLA Copy store on the 3rd floor of Ackerman union. However, APS takes 3-4 weeks to produce anything. On the otherhand, you can go to Copymat located in Westwood on Westwood Blvd, Across from the Bankof America, next to the Mrs. Fields. They will create your APS, and sell them to your students, and give you a free copy. The best part, is they will do this within 3-4 days, usually faster. So if you have a choice, go to Copymat and make your APS manuals there.

How can I set up newsgroups for my class

Class newsgroups are setup by SEASNET, the SEASNET office is located on the 2nd floor of Boelter Hall. You will need to go down to the SEASNET office in person and request a newsgroup for your class.

How can I get textbooks?

The department should have ordered a textbook for your use during the quarter. Contact Brenda Ramirez in suite 4732, and she can order a textbook for you if she doesn't have it already.

Can I use an online gradebook? How?

You don't have to use an online gradebook, however you may set one up if you decide the students will find it useful. Here is a document in PDF format describing how.

How can I access an old class' TA materials (such as handouts)?

If you would like to view some past course materials, all you have to do is email courseweb@seas.ucla.edu and they will give you guest access to certain past course webpages. However - you *need* to have the instructor's permission (of the past course you want to access) and prove to the courseweb person that you have the permission. They will not otherwise accomodate your request. You could forward them an email with the written instructor permission, for example.

Are there any useful scripts available?

A webpage has been set up here where useful TA scripts can be found.
If you would like to add to this list, please email the TAC.

Webpages (Fall 2004 and after)


How do I edit my class webpages?

All undergraduate classes should have a webpage. These webpages are accessed by students from CourseWeb: http://courseweb.seas.ucla.edu/listClasses.php?subarea=COM+SCI
You can follow a link to your class from the CourseWeb webpage. After you log in, click on "Switch to Admin Mode" to edit the webpage.

How do I get permission to modify the webpage?

Before you can modify the webpage, the professor has to activate it. This is a simple matter of him/her logging into CourseWeb and activating it. After this has been done you should have admin rights to the webpage.
If you do not have admin rights, or have any other issues getting started, please email the TAC.

What should the website contain?

The webpages usually contain the following information:

  • Contact information: of the professor and TA, office hours, lecture and discussion hours and locations.
  • Syllabus and Course Outline
  • Homework assignments: Depending on the professor, solutions may also be posted.
  • Notices of upcoming quizzes and examinations.
  • Lecture slides (if available)

    What is the "Forum"?

    A forum is available for each class (a link is there on your default course webpage). This is meant for the students and TAs to ask/answer questions, make announcements, etc. Anyone can post on this board - please make sure that no inappropriate material gets posted.


    Webpages (prior to Fall 2004)


    How do I edit my class webpages?

    All classes should have a webpage. These webpages are accessed by students from www.cs.ucla.edu/ugrad
    A basic webpage has been created for your class: http://www.cs.ucla.edu/classes/fall03/csXXX/l1/ (for section 1; l2 for section 2 ...)
    The files are in the directory:
    /u/class/fall03/csXXX/l1 (for section 1; in l2 for section 2 ...)

    How do I get permission to access these files?

    Access to the directory is controlled using Access Control Lists (man getfacl and setfacl for more information). You should also belong to the ta group. You (and your professor) should already have permissions to change your directories; if not, please contact the TAC.

    What should the website contain?

    The webpages usually contain the following information:

  • Contact information: of the professor and TA, office hours, lecture and discussion hours and locations.
  • Syllabus and Course Outline
  • Homework assignments: Depending on the professor, solutions may also be posted.
  • Notices of upcoming quizzes and examinations.
  • Lecture slides (if available)

    You can change the format and look of the class webpages, but try not to change too much (the department is trying to standardize the webpages to get the undergraduate program accredited).

    What is the "Discussion Board"?

    A discussion board is available for each class (a link is there on your default course webpage). This is meant for the students and TAs to ask/answer questions, make announcements, etc. Anyone can post on this board - please make sure that no inappropriate material gets posted.

    What is the "private" area for?

    The files under the private directory are protected by an .htaccess file: private/auth. A password is required to access these webpages. The initial password and instructions on how to change this password are described in the file README_FIRST in your course directory. This area is for you to put copyrighted material that should be accessed only by students of your class (so give out the password only to students in your class).

    What are "Virtual Office Hours"?

    This is a section of the course webpage where students and TAs can interact in real time - there is a chat and drawing area. This is accessible to all too. However, you can change the properties by logging in as administrator (the way to do this is described in the file README_FIRST in your course directory).


    Locations


    Where is the TA Office?

    Unfortunately, space requirements are such that the TA office, which was underutilized, has been taken away. There is currently no space for a TA office. I would suggest you talk to your advisor to see if he/she can come up with a desk for you.

    Where do I pick up TA evals?

    Your professor should receive blank evaluation forms in his/her mailbox at the end of the quarter. If they aren't available by week 9 or 10, contact the TAC.

    Where do I meet students?

    Office hours and student meetings are held in the Learning Lounge (4428 Boelter Hall). There are two sides to the room, each with a white board.

    Where do students hand-in homework?

    There are mailboxes available in the learning lounge. Contact the TAC to get a lock, assigned on a quarterly basis.

    How can I get in these rooms?

    To enter you need a "swipe card". If you don't have a swipe card or you need to add TA access, contact Terry Valai (terryv@cs) in BH4732. Ask for access to the Learning Lounge (4428).

     
    _ a green light : ok, welcome ! 
    _ a red light   : card read but your database entry says "access not allowed"
    _ both lights   : couldn't read, try again
    

    My swipe key doesn't work

    If your swipe key doesn't work for some reason, you will need to talk to Terry Valai (terryv@cs) in BH4732. She will be able to assist you.


    Contributing to this FAQ


    How can I contribute to this FAQ?

    1.  Edit /u/class/ta/faq.html.
        Please add your name/e-mail address to the end of your comments.
    2.  Add your name to the document history at the end of faq.html.
    3.  Save a copy of faq.html in /u/class/ta/old_faqs; i.e. "faq-15.html".
        Please "chmod 664 yourfile", so that other TAs can read your file.