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The use of Graduate Teaching Assistants in ICS

The use of Graduate Teaching Assistants in ICS. Workshop at LTSN-ICS 5 th Annual conference Chris Procter, Paul Spedding, Helen Ferris Information Systems Institute, University of Salford. Introduction. Context/Literature review Staff view (from ISI, Salford)

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The use of Graduate Teaching Assistants in ICS

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  1. The use of Graduate Teaching Assistants in ICS Workshop at LTSN-ICS 5th Annual conference Chris Procter, Paul Spedding, Helen Ferris Information Systems Institute, University of Salford

  2. Introduction • Context/Literature review • Staff view (from ISI, Salford) • GTA and student view (from ISI) • Identifying issues for discussion in workshop

  3. UoS background • Approx 20 GTAs appointed in 2003, majority taking PhDs, additional 20 in 2004 • £9k bursary now rising to £10.5k for 3 years • Workload by local negotiation … • Significant difference in hours and responsibilities and quality of supervision • University GTA co-ordinator appointed

  4. Outline of situation in ISI • Long history of employing graduates on part time contracts • First 4 GTAs employed in 2003 • 4 more commencing 2004 • Brief outline of duties and current development • University developing central training and guidelines

  5. Lit review (see handout) – issues raised • Selection and preparation • Training • Supervision, QA and mentoring • GTA capability • Professional development • Workload and pay • Little concerning student view

  6. Input from Academic Staff • Two groups • Teachers:Academic Staff gaining GTA support in teaching (Questionnaire) • Supervisors: Academic Staff supervising GTAs’ PhDs (Consultation) • Much overlap between the groups and therefore their responses

  7. Academic staff - issues • Benefits/Drawbacks - What are benefits/drawbacks and to whom? • Limits - Can a GTA lecture, demonstrate, lead seminars, mark…? • Contracts - How many hours? How much pay? • Professional / employment - Are GTAs a threat to academic staff? • Training / support - How do we train/support our GTAs? - Do they take a qualification? - Confusion over PhD Supervisor’s role

  8. Findings - Effects on Staff • Positive - extra support: reduces workload of academic staff • Negative - exacerbates fears of redundancies - may be significant role in management of GTAs - “More effort than doing it yourself”

  9. Findings - Effect on (Taught) Students • Positive - extra support; may be more approachable; may have more time - may bring valuable extra perspective • Negative - not as good as the real thing; may confuse students - not suitable for masters teaching - But opinions differ: some felt PhD GTAs ok for masters

  10. Findings - Effect on GTAs • Positive - useful experience if interested in academia + CV item - source of income– may in itself enable PG study • Negative - concerns over exploitation - worries if no training provision / support (and if no qualification eg PGCE?)

  11. Teaching Assistant in UK High Schools • Comparison with use of teaching assistances in UK high schools - Already widespread. Some research available • Similarities: • Educational issues • Union / professional concerns • Differences: • TAs often not aiming for a teaching career • No equivalent of PhD

  12. The GTA Experience • Workload • Max hours/week • Preparation and student contact included? • Remuneration • Role Definition • Clarification of duties • Expectations of GTA ability • Is a GTA staff or student, or both?

  13. The GTA Experience (contd) • Support Systems • At Course, School and University level • Training requirements and accreditation • General Operational Issues • Office/desk/telephone/computer access • Clashes between teaching time and training courses • What is the role of the Personal Tutor with regards to the GTA position?

  14. The Student Experience(based on feedback from BSc (Hons) Info Tech (P/T) cohort) • GTAs able to offer assistance on academic and general issues • GTAs offer a first point of contact by e-mail, telephone, online discussions, or face-to-face

  15. Issues for workshop discussion

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