FYE Forum: Tutors as partners in student transition

Good tutors make a huge difference to a first year student’s experience. Tutors play an important role in helping students to make the transition to university studies, develop a sense of belonging and become comfortable in studying within the discipline.

We will hear from casual academics (TAs, tutors and demonstrators) from Science, FASS and Business, about ways that they support their first year students in transition, how they share practice and how their ideas are embedded into the curriculum. Professor Tony Baker, formerly from UTS science and now Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor Coursework (College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe) will be describing good practices for supporting tutors that he is introducing at his new university. We will have the opportunity to discuss and compare the differences in our approaches. Finally, we will review and benchmark our current practices and develop ways to support our tutors and make use of their experience in their first year classes. For this activity, we will refer to the BLASST standard for sessional staff. Lots of interaction and networking opportunities for all!

Afternoon tea will be served. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements.

RSVP by email to: Kathryn.Egea@uts.edu.au

Given the importance of casual academics to the learning environment, we encourage first year subject coordinators to bring a casual tutor, TA or demonstrator to the forum. We will pay for his or her attendance. To be eligible for payment, both the subject coordinator and their casual teaching staff member need to attend the forum. Note Coordinators, when you register, to enable payment, please include the subject name, casual staff name and staff number.

Please join us in this very important and engaging FYE forum! Make sure to RSVP to save your place.