The Academic Skills Centre is an academic unit of the University of Toronto at Mississauga.  Its mandate is to facilitate the development of a community of learners at UTM and to foster and apply research to University teaching and learning practices.  Staffed by a Director, Learning Strategists, and Peer Mentors,  the Centre offers workshops, seminars, and individual consultations throughout the year for faculty development.  The Centre also provides TA orientation and training and opportunities for the enhancement of academic skills at all levels.

Consultations with faculty include:

• establishing and maintaining teaching portfolios;
• giving feedback on classroom teaching techniques;
• setting course objectives aligned to knowledge and skill levels of the students;
• development of criterion-based assessment tools, and
• conducting mid-term focus groups with students to provide timely feedback on issues of classroom climate and instruction.

The Centre’s unit also includes course-specific skills development seminars in the classroom in collaboration with faculty, course-specific workshops conducted by learning strategists with the assistance of student peer mentors, and individual consultations.  Faculty involvement in the Centre’s activities is essential, especially in the selection and training of the students who become involved in the peer mentoring program.   For more information, contact the Director at 905/828-3858.