Partners in Innovation Teaching Assistants in College Science Courses

"Partners in Innovation draws on three intensive interview studies of college science innovations, two in chemistry and one in astronomy. The data reveal the TAs' contribution, including their ability to explain and address common problems such as student resistance and creating structural and intellectual course coherence. The author addresses TAs' undermet need for professional development (in both conventional and innovative courses) and the conditions that shape the spectrum of TAs' responses to new pedagogy - from passive resistance, even sabotage, to collaborative engagement. Seymour argues from evidence that effective deployment, adequate professional education, and collegial collaboration between faculty and their TAs; are critical in ensuring the future quality of science education."--BOOK JACKET.

Elaine Seymour is director of Ethnography and Evaluation Research at the University of Colorado, Boulder.