Support for research postgraduates who teach
The University's policy for supervisors and students in research postgraduate programmes states that "research students employed as teachers should receive appropriate training for the purpose". This includes completing mandatory training provided by the Centre for Academic, Professional and Organisational Development (CAPOD) as well as "appropriate training and support throughout the period of teaching" provided by the Schools. CAPOD also provides additional support that postgraduates can access if they wish. These are all detailed below, and postgraduates who are planning to do any teaching should read all of the following information, and the "Research Students as Teachers" section of the Policy.
Mandatory training
Research postgraduates who intend to undertake any teaching in their Schools must complete the mandatory training before beginning their duties. CAPOD runs two workshops for each Faculty before the start of each semester. Students should, where possible, attend the workshops just before the semester in which they first start teaching.
The mandatory workshops take place in Parliament Hall and run from 1-5pm. Students hoping to teach next semester should keep these dates free in their diaries.
- Tutoring in the Arts: An introduction - 21st January 2013
- Assessment and Academic Misconduct (Arts): An introduction - 22nd January 2013
- Tutoring & Demonstrating in the Sciences: An introduction - 23rd January 2013
- Assessment and Academic Misconduct (Science): An introduction - 24th January 2013
Students can book a place on these workshops using the University's online training course management system. This also includes details of the course content.
Optional taught modules (HEA accredited)
- Introduction to University Teaching 1: Supporting Student Learning (ID5101)
- Introduction to University Teaching 2: Curriculum Design and Assessment (ID5102)
These are 10-credit, Masters-level taught postgraduate modules. They are practice-based, professional development modules which emphasise reflection on practice. Students enrolling on these modules will be able to consider issues in more depth than is possible in the mandatory workshops to further enhance their learning and teaching skills. Although targeted primarily at postgraduate tutors and demonstrators, they are open to all staff with a teaching element to their role.
A pre-requisite for enrolling onto either module is that participants be actively engaged in tutoring, demonstrating or lecturing. Successful completion of either 10 credit module leads to Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. The modules are not available within the advising system; enrollment is by application directly to the module co-ordinator, Dr Heather McKiggan-Fee.
Application forms can be downloaded below (please note the dates of the teaching sessions on the form):
- ID5101 Application Form (Word, 98 KB) - semester one only
- ID5102 Application form (Word, 99 KB) - semester two only
Sample module handbooks are provided below for information, but please note the current modules may not follow exactly the same format.
- ID5101 Module Handbook AY2011-12 (PDF, 99 KB)
- ID5102 Module Handbook AY2011-12 (PDF, 217 KB)
Support within the School
As noted in the policy for supervisors and students in research postgraduate programmes, "research students must be assigned a mentor by their School" to support them in their teaching role. The minimum support that should be provided within the School is outlined in School-based training for postgraduate tutors, which was approved by Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee on 20th May 2009. In addition to highly subject-specific training (eg on use of lab equipment or procedures), all tutors and demonstrators are entitled to an assessment practical before marking student work for the first time, and they should be peer observed according to the scheme in place within the School.