London School of Economics GTA/Guest Teacher DRAFT Academic Role Profiles August 2009)

London School of Economics – GTA/Guest Teacher DRAFT Academic Role Profiles August 2009)

The LSE Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) / Guest Teacher Role Profiles are available at the links below:

The profiles here contain guidance on what would typically be expected of those working asGraduate Teaching Assistant / Guest Teacher.

The profiles should inform your decision on which band to place a member of staff. The profiles are inherently generic, and are intended as descriptors of Graduate Teaching Assistant/ Guest Teacher roles that are typical, representative and appropriate, and capable of being evaluated using an analytical job evaluation system. As such, whilst reflective of most roles, they cannot capture every aspect of all roles. It is also accepted that the balance of activities may alter at different stages of an individual’s career, and to a certain extent may be affected by changes to departmental strategy and priorities.

These profiles cover the majority of GTAs / Guest Teachers who are carrying out roles similar to those described. Profiles more applicable to those external experts brought into the School to lecture on specialist subjects, who are likely to be on salary bands 7 to 10 are being prepared.

Graduate Teaching Assistants / Guest Teachers will generally be employed at a relatively small full-time equivalent; therefore it is likely that only some tasks outlined in these role profiles will be relevant to any individual appointment.

NB Contractually, the job title “Graduate Teaching Assistant” shall be reserved for LSE-registered students; departments may also wish to employ “Guest Teachers” or “Emeritus Teachers” to undertake duties with this role profile.

Note this document contains the proposed profiles for bands 5-7. Profiles for bands 810 are still under preparation by LSE human resources.Graduate Teaching Assistant/ Guest Teachers – Salary Band 5

Graduate Teaching Assistants at this level will normally be undertaking a research degree.

Graduate Teaching Assistants and Guest Teachers at this level will teach as members of a teaching team, in a developing capacity, within an established programme of study. They will be expected to have sufficient breadth and depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline to work within established teaching programmes.

Graduate Teaching Assistants / Guest Teachers will generally be employed at a relatively small full-time equivalent; thereforeit is likely that only some tasks outlined in this role profile will be relevant to any individual appointment.

Range of Academic Activities and Responsibilities

Teaching

Contributing to the scholarship and intellectual life of the School by conducting teaching which will enhance the School's high reputation as a research-led teaching institution within a clear and established teaching programme, with appropriate assistance and support.
Supervising and teaching undergraduate level students through classes, course work or tutorials.
Under the direction of the Course Leader and following the course syllabus, preparing appropriate teaching materials, for example discussion questions, presentation topics, written summaries to consolidate the learning from lecturers.
For courses with quantitative elements, working through pre–prepared simulated problem sets where the lecturer will have provided the questions and ‘model’ answers; providing brief summary points where appropriate to consolidate learning.
With reference to the course outline and reading list, identifying appropriate further reading, case studies and other tools (for example software solutions) to facilitate learning.
Holding regular office hours.
Reporting any academic problems students may have to Course Leader.
Marking practice and assessed essays throughout the academic year.
For courses with quantitative elements, marking homework on a regular basis throughout the academic year, incorporating feedback on the level of detail and the ‘next’ steps that could have been taken.
Assisting with examining duties.
Participating in regular teaching meetings, with academics and administrators involved in the course.

Administration

Keeping up-to-date records of student attendance and marks in the agreed format on LSE for You.
Managing academic administration arising from teaching responsibilities – e.g. classroom preparation, with guidance as required.

Graduate Teaching Assistant/Guest Teachers– Salary Band 6

Note the band 6 profile is still the subject of negotiation between UCU and LSE

Graduate Teaching Assistants at this level will normally have made significant progress towards their PhD / research degree.

Graduate Teaching Assistants and Guest Teachers at this level will have sufficient breadth and depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline to carry a more senior role within aesablished programme’s teaching team, or may act as leaders of this teaching team with support and direction from the course leader.

The activities and responsibilities in this role will be expected to build on those in the Band 5 Graduate Teaching Assistant / Guest Teacher roles.

Range of Academic Activities and Responsibilities

Teaching

Contributing to the scholarship and intellectual life of the School by conducting teaching which will enhance the School's high reputation as a research-led teaching institution within a clear and established teaching programme, with the appropriate assistance and support.
Supervising and teachingundergraduate and masters level students throughclasses, course work and tutorials.
Under direction of Course Leader, and where appropriate, acting as leader of a teaching team within an established programme of study.[UCU have proposed deletion of this point]
For courses with quantitative elements, preparing and working through simulated problem sets where the lecturer will have provided the questions and ‘model’ answers; providing brief summary points where appropriate to consolidate learning.
Where appropriate, providing support on request to other GTAs on the preparation of appropriate teaching materials, the sourcing of additional appropriate reading and other tools to consolidate the learning from lectures.
Acting as point of reference for first line queries from other, less experienced GTA’s on same course.
Holding regular office hours.
Acting as academic adviserand providing pastoral care.
Marking practice essays and assessed essays / regular homework during the academic year.
Assisting with examining duties.
Participating in regular teaching meetings, with academics and administrators involved in the course(s).
Identifying learning needs of students and defining appropriate learning objectives.

Administration

Keeping up-to-date records of student attendance and marks in the agreed format on LSE for You.
Managing academic administration arising from teaching responsibilities – e.g. classroom preparation and marking, with guidance as required.

Guest Teacher - Salary Band 7

Roles at this level encompass the stages of a teaching only career that has progressed beyond the developmental nature roles at Salary Bands 5 and 6. Those appointed will have a PhD or its equivalent with teaching experience, or relevant external experience . They will lecture and may be involved in course design and development.

Range of Academic Activities and Responsibilities

Teaching

Contributing to the scholarship and intellectual life of the School by conducting teaching which will enhance the School's high reputation as a research-led teaching institution
Acting as Course Leader, taking overall responsibility for the delivery of the course
[Note: UCU has proposed rewording this to say: Acting as module leader on a specialist optional module within the research domain of the teacher, taking overall responsibility for the delivery of the module. Such a module would not normally have more than two class groups].
Developing, reviewing and monitoring of the course syllabus and content for each course as part of the Department’s ongoing commitment to improving teaching in its service level courses
Developing course proposals, shaping and influencing curriculum at undergraduate and Masters level.
Supervising, teaching and examining undergraduate and masters level students through lectures, classes, classes, course work or tutorials
Identifying areas where current provision is in need of revision or improvement.
Developing innovative approaches to teaching practice and the learning process, development of content, including carrying out original design of material or developing different modes of delivery.
Acting as academic advisor and providing pastoral care
Supervising teachers assisting on courses, including organising and delegating their work
Utilising considerable expertise to be authoritative in subject area, for example by producing material suitable for course reading list or using relevant professional experience to inform curriculum development

Administration

Keeping up-to-date records of student attendance and marks in the agreed format on LSE for You.
Managing academic administration arising from teaching responsibilities – e.g. classroom preparation and marking, with guidance as required.

\\Adminshared\Web\WEBSTAGING\root\build\collections\ucu\GTA\DraftGTAprofilesSept09.doc