Operational Mechanisms and Improvement Pathways of Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Systems: Evidence from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Comparative Cases from China and Overseas Universities

Xiangyu Li; Yuchao Wang; Qianyun Xu

doi:10.62177/jetp.v3i3.1726

Authors

Xiangyu Li Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Yuchao Wang Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Qianyun Xu Shanghai Jiao Tong University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62177/jetp.v3i3.1726

Keywords:

Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA), Teaching Assistant System, Operational Mechanism, Optimization Pathway, Comparative Analysis

Abstract

The graduate teaching assistant (GTA) system is an important component of the teaching support framework and graduate student development system of a university. Its operational quality is jointly influenced by system design, course practices, and supporting mechanisms. To investigate its operational mechanisms and optimization pathways, with GTA system at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) taken as the research subject, practices from both domestic and international universities integrated, and questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews employed, the current status, characteristics, and directions for improvement of the GTA system were analyzed. Results indicate that the overall operation is currently stable, and GTAs are generally able to effectively support course instruction. However, development across different aspects remains uneven. GTA work is highly course-dependent, with faculty guidance and interactions playing a vital role in operations. Meanwhile, supporting mechanisms such as training systems, workload recognition, and evaluation incentives still require further improvement. It is recommended that when operating GTA systems, universities should strengthen the construction of whole-process governance, improve position classification and course-level onboard mechanisms, establish tiered and categorized training systems, and refine workload recognition and evaluation and feedback mechanisms to create a positive cycle of continuous participation.

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