Office hours

From GradBook

This article is part of the series EECS TA Guide

Checklist Expectations for TAs Administrators Applying for a TAship Graders and Lab Assistants Safety training Office hours Quizzes Room reservations Students Evalutions TA scenarios

Office hours are regularly scheduled opportunities for students to interact with teaching staff outside of class.

Contents 1 Good office hour policies 1.1 Amount 1.2 When 1.3 Regularity 2 Poor office hour policies 2.1 Cancelling office hours

Good office hour policies

Amount

TAs for most EECS subjects provide at least two hours per week of office hours for students. The exact amount is dependent on the subject itself, needs of the students, and constraints on TA time.

When

It is generally recommended that, unless the students do not mind, TAs for undergraduate subjects not schedule their office hours between 5 PM and 7 PM on weekdays because these time slots are reserved by MIT for sports and other activities. Most students also appreciate having office hours one or two days before assignments are due so that as they work, they can ask TAs for help.

Regularity

Since most people like regularity in their schedule, TAs should try to establish the same time every week as their office hours. If this is difficult or impossible, then at least notify students well in advance.

Poor office hour policies

Cancelling office hours

Some TAs have a habit of cancelling office hours when no one shows up. (To be completed...)