We Need You! Calling For Contributions to An Exciting New Initiative: Sarita

Cynthia DeRoma, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA 
Sarah Emory, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA

Introduction – the need for an activity repository

It can be hard to find the right resources for our specific contexts. In our vibrant ITA-IS community, we are always sharing ideas among ourselves in various settings, like the ITA-IS listserv, working groups, webinars, and conferences. When trying to devise activities or resources for our students, however, we tend to struggle with our memories and note-taking systems to retrieve all that inspiration we got from our colleagues. It is not uncommon that we only find what we were looking for months after we needed it. We felt there was a strong need to compile these ideas in a systematic way that would make it easier for a wide audience to find exactly what they need.

What kind of repository?

Ross & Dunphy’s (2007) book was a treasure trove of activities for TAs and ITAs. Each chapter was contributed by an experienced practitioner in the field and offered details of activities that could be readily adapted. Although it is still a precious resource, over fifteen years later our evolving needs call for an update.

Publishing a book involves multiple hurdles, including how much time it takes. Many of us in our field have used the idiom “herding cats” to refer to trying to organize ITA (and ITA-adjacent) folks, and it is no surprise, considering we wear so many hats and work in such different conditions, usually with little to no support. That makes it difficult for us to commit to writing a chapter or editing a whole book. Moreover, these kinds of “niche” publications tend to be costly, with just a tiny fraction of the revenue actually going to the authors. Another issue with printed or electronic books is that, once published, they are static, not allowing for easy additions or updates.

When deciding to publish their own materials, teachers and scholars may instead consider using Open Education Resources (OER), which UNESCO defines as “learning, teaching and research materials in any format and medium that reside in the public domain or are under copyright that have been released under an open license, that permit no-cost access, re-use, re-purpose, adaptation and redistribution by others” (2019). Digital OER, in particular, can be quickly updated as innovations and ideas emerge.

With all that in mind, we are in the process of creating an OER in the form of a digital repository: SARITA (Shared-access Resources for ITAs). The use of the term “ITAs,” as is often the case, is a shortcut that represents members of academic institutions such as graduate students of all linguistic backgrounds, with or without teaching responsibilities, and the broader community like post-docs, or even faculty, who look to improve their language or pedagogical skills.

What will SARITA look like?

SARITA will have the following characteristics:

• Community sourcing – any practitioner can contribute activities or resources
• Open access – available to anyone, with no subscriptions or fees
• Community reviewing – users can comment on and make suggestions to posted activities
• Minimal editorial involvement – to keep SARITA free and nimble, proof-reading of contributions will be the responsibility of their respective authors

Materials shared on SARITA will have a Creative Commons CC BY-NC-SA license. This means they will be publicly available to be used and adapted as long as these terms are followed: (i) attribution is given to each creator (BY); (ii) they are not used for commercial purposes (NC); and if they are remixed, adapted, or built upon, the new material must be licensed under the same terms (SA, which stands for “share alike”). For more information on Creative Commons licenses, see https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/cclicenses/.

Where will the activities and resources come from?

We need you! To get this initiative off the ground, the ITA-IS community needs contributions from all of us.

Think of an activity or resource you have used that you enjoyed, maybe because it filled a need, or it was fun, or it was just simple enough to fill the last ten minutes of class. It does not have to be groundbreaking or super creative – just something that can give a colleague an idea. To contribute, fill out this form: https://airtable.com/appqEB3IrY286I5rA/pagm7CIjpeMEOxWit/form.

We built this form using Airtable which also has an option on it to share feedback. This way, if we find we are missing information, you will be able to share suggestions for us to update or revise how we collect the activities.

What information do I need to provide?

We need your name, email, and professional affiliation. As for the activity itself, the form will ask you for the following:

• Skills targeted: from a drop-down menu, you can choose academic writing, pronunciation, pragmatics, fluency, etc.
• Audience it is designed for: you can choose graduate students with a teaching role, PhD students, post-docs, etc.
• Preparation time and duration: how long it takes to set up and use
• Setting and context: you can specify whether it is meant for group work, pair work, or self-practice, in-person, remote, or hybrid, for assessment or practice, etc.
• Goals and instructions

Optionally, you can also add possible challenges, accessibility considerations, links, and materials.

What happens once the form is submitted?

All forms will be briefly checked (mainly to determine you are a well-intentioned human) and all activities will be posted online as an OER. The specific platform is still being determined. We will send out an announcement once we have enough submissions to release the OER.

What is the deadline for contributions?

SARITA is supposed to be an ongoing project with submissions welcome at any time. For its initial launch, however, we need many contributions as soon as possible. We aim to release its first version by the end of the Spring 2025 semester. As such, we would appreciate it if you could add your contribution by the end of April 2025.

One last item: copyright

Although SARITA will be an OER with a CC BY-NC-SA license, previously available materials you use in your activities – like images, songs, book excerpts, or videos – may be subject to their own copyright restrictions. Check for the following: (i). if you are allowed to use them freely; (ii). if you need permission; or (iii). if their inclusion falls into fair use. For more information, follow this link: https://guides.library.yale.edu/copyright-guidance/using-copyrightedworks.

In closing

A repository of activities and resources is a dire need for those of us working with graduate students. There are digital platforms available to us to collaboratively create this resource even if we have limited time. All it takes is filling out a simple form: (https://airtable.com/appqEB3IrY286I5rA/pagm7CIjpeMEOxWit/form). We have taken the initiative to start SARITA, and if most members of our community submit just one activity, we will have a grimoire to enrich and facilitate our practices.

References

Creative Commons (n.d.). Share your work. https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/

Ross, Catherine & Dunphy, Jane. 2007. Strategies for Teaching Assistant and International Teaching Assistant Development: Beyond Micro Teaching. Jossey-Bass.

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) (2019). Recommendation on Open Educational Resources (OER). https://www.unesco.org/en/legal-affairs/recommendation-open-educational-resources-oer

Yale University Library. (n.d.). Copyright guidance: using copyrighted works. https://guides.library.yale.edu/copyright-guidance/using-copyrightedworks

Sarah Emory, (Assistant Director, International Teachers & Scholars, Harvard University, Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning) provides training on oral English, intercultural communication, public speaking, and teaching skills. Sarah has been active in ITAIS since 2013 and has been excited to explore how different technology and apps can support her work with ITAs.

Cynthia DeRoma (Senior Lector, English Language Program at the Center for Language Study, Yale University) works with graduate students from all fields to ensure that language is a powerful asset in all spheres of their academic and professional lives. Cynthia has been involved in language research and teaching for over 30 years, 10 of which has been through her active role in TESOL International.