Seminar TA Training
Welcome to The Data Mine Seminar Course!
We are excited to have you on board as a Seminar TA (Teaching Assistant) for The Data Mine this year!
This is going to be a long read, so please find focused time to complete the training.
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You must have valid FERPA training proof to engage in any TA work. Please e-mail [email protected] if you need assistance with FERPA training. |
TA Responsibility Overview
TAs are a key part of success in The Data Mine. Your constant support keeps the courses running smoothly.
For the academic year 2026-2027, there will be a teams structure
Seminar TAs
Seminar TAs are responsible for holding office hours, grading assignments, helping students with their projects, and for spending time on Piazza answering student questions and providing feedback.
Piazza TAs
Piazza TAs are responsible for assisting student’s with questions in a timely and professional manner on Piazza.
All TAs should review the upcoming week’s projects and solutions to be best prepared to assist students.
Calendar is available on the syllabus page for the courses.
Set up your GitHub Account
Please ensure you have a GitHub account made with your @purdue.edu email address.
Please share your GitHub usernames here to get access to TDM Project Repositories.*
Seminar TAs must submit their hours each week to SuccessFactor by Sunday evenings at 11:59 PM.
Seminar
Each week Dr. Ward hosts seminar sessions for students in the Data Mine to attend. These sessions are held in Hillenbrand Dining Court’s atrium.
The seminar times for Fall 2026 are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, at:
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8:30-9:20 AM
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9:30-10:20 AM
We will be working on a schedule to ensure that we have Seminar TA coverage during the seminar course times.
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You are required to attend your seminar section to help your group of students. |
Office Hours
TAs will work with staff to choose office hour times and will be expected to hold their scheduled office hours consistently each week.
We need lots of help on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Evenings are much appreciated. Wednesday evenings are prime time, and we permit more than one TA to work at a time.
Office hours will take place during your assigned time frame. If you are unsure of your scheduled time, please refer to the information below.
You are responsible for creating a Microsoft Teams meeting for your students during your office hours. Please email your students the meeting invitation so they can join and leave as needed.
If a student is unable to attend your office hours, please have them contact [email protected] for assistance.
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You need to have your camera ON in all your Teams calls. The staff will randomly join office hour meetings to ensure this is followed. |
Your help during office hours could change a student’s day, week, month, or semester!
Unable to host office hours
If, for a certain day, you are unable to hold office hours, or if you need to change your office hours, please notify the Head TA, post a note in piazza of the change 48 hours before to all students, and update your teams link. These changes should be minimal and only if completely necessary to avoid confusion for the students.
If it is an emergency and you cannot do the above in time, message the Head TA for Office Hours on Teams.
How to Get Paid
Seminar TAs can submit up to 10 hours a week. Time Card information
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International students can work a maximum of 20 hours across all jobs. |
Look forward to
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Complete the Syllabus and Academic Integrity Quizzes before class begins
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Have valid FERPA training by 8:00 AM, August 24, 2026.
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Submit your Github username
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Attend the mandatory orientation session.
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Verify you’re a part of the TA Teams channel.
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Look out for an email to schedule office hours.
Please send questions to your Head TA for your team via Teams/Email, post in the Seminar TA Teams Channel, or email [email protected].
We look forward to having you onboard as a TA with us this semester!