University of Arizona - Desert Yearbook (Tucson, AZ)

Page 184 text:

Ms. Ying ' s skillful eye Prof. Keller models an examines a titration, atomic structure. Photo Photo By GREG BERG by GREG BERG Where ' s the Professor? The value of teaching assistants was unargu- able, or so we thought. Many students were upset by the fact that their good money was not always going to warrant them the attention of a professor English classes were taught primarily by graduate students, and almost all of the science classes were divided up into smaller laboratories taught only by TA ' s. Students accustomed to the one-on-one attention of their high school teachers were all for the teaching assistants. The smaller classes resembled the size of their high school classes and problems they might have had were easily solved with the assistance of the TA. Others argued that they were paying money to get the best education possible. Teaching assistants were NOT on the agenda. These students were not happy with the teaching assistants. Although having professors for every class is ideal, financially it is impossible. In most underclass courses with teaching assistants the class size rare- ly surpasses the forty person mark, however if a professor was required to teach the class rather than the teaching asistant then the number of available classes would drop and the class would more than quadruple with the average class averaging well over 250 students. Though teaching assistants are not always popular they are a neces- sary part of the implementation of a successful education system here at the UA. ©Wendy Ursell Are these students given the education they deserve? Teach- ing Assistant ' s and stu- dents alike have the advantage of smaller classes, where the as- sistants can work with the students on a one- to-one basis. Photo by GREG BERG 180 STUDENT LIFE

Page 183 text:

.. Wilber, onegiant ' onefortheUof One small step f« one giaiiv v » A is the theme behind this float as Wilber prepares to send this little devil into outer space. Photo by GREG BERG The 1964 football team made their comeback comfortably and sty- lishly. The 1949 team was another one that made an entrance. Photo by GREG BERG • mcK; A sign proudly de- clares that Home- coming is once again occuring at the U of A. Photo by GREG Homecoming 179

Page 185 text:

TWO SIDES Teaching assistants were a common sight around the campus. They could be found in almost all of our science laboratories and in our English classes. Classes with large lectures, such as Psy- chology and Sociology divided the classes up into smaller discussions. The students then had the opportunity to deal with their problems on a more personal basis. Were the dving assistant liPHMy? Pro- fessors argued that the TA ' s .;| g4.he primary link betwee ' the students ajoHlB H fessors. Teaching assistants also provided the connec- tion that allowed students an atmo |djere of learning similar to that of high sdflWr class- rooms. Some sU ctt?; hought other gMtaaMrimary concermKttffse students was thattne re not going w receive the full benefit of the pro- fessor ' s knowledge, when in all actuality, the teaching assistants interacted with the pro- fessors closely and were able to pass that knowl- edge on to the students. Teaching assistants, overall, could be considered nothing but a benefit, both to the professors and the students. ©Wendy Ursell Will students only come to classes that are personally taught by their professors? Photo by GREG BERG TEACHING ASSISTANTS 181