How to use a GTA? (Social science)

[Catabogus]

For the first time ever I have been assigned a GTA to help teach my undergraduate module. However, I’m not sure what to do with her!

I have two hours of classroom time a week, but unlike my colleagues I don’t divide it into 1 hr lecture (by the lecturer) and 1 hr seminar (led by GTA). Instead, I fill the 2 hr slot with a couple of short bursts of lecturing, interspersed with small-groups activities and whole class discussions.

What can I ask the GTA to do in this context? She’s not familiar enough with the topic to take on any of the lecturing I don’t think, but I don’t want to waste her time (and I do want the students to benefit from her being in the session).

Thanks very much for any ideas.

Can she go around the groups to chat with the students about tasks? I do that but having two people helps to ensure all groups are spoken to. Depends what n sizes though of course.