Discuss your role and duties with your course coordinator/lecturer as soon as possible. If you are employed in more than one school, be sure to clarify your role with each school.
Questions you might ask
- What is my role?
- How much time am I expected to dedicate to specific tasks? (e.g. marking, student consultations, replying to emails, preparing for lessons etc.)
- What resources do I need for this course? How do I get them?
- Is there a tutorial plan/schedule for the semester? Am I required to develop these materials?
- Am I expected to attend lectures?
- What are the assessment items for this course?
- How is online learning used in this course? Am I expected to utilise online systems such as Learning@Griffith?
- What resources are available to me as a staff member? (e.g. desk, phone, printing/photocopying, stationery)
Common duties
- Planning and leading tutorial sessions
- Student consultations
- Attending staff meetings
- Marking assignments, exams or other assessment activities
- Cross checking and moderation
Some casual teaching roles within the university differ from this general format. These include clinical demonstrators, problem-based learning tutors and online teachers. Your course convenor can assist with advice about these teaching roles.
Responsibilities of sessional academic staff
- Be punctual for all tutorials
- Be prepared and know what needs to happen in each tutorial
- Record attendance (check your School’s policy on this)
- Be available to students at agreed times
- Be enthusiastic about student learning and success
- Understand the course outline and the rules for assessment
- Ensure that assessment is moderated
- Know what services are available to students and identify those needing extra help to learning support
- Provide an inclusive learning environment for all students
- Demonstrate mutual respect by being mindful of student diversity
- Be proactive and make the most of all opportunities for professional development
- Keep a log of interactions with students (e.g. student feedback, comments about student behaviour, email or other communications)
- Return all student assessment items to the Course Convenor on time