Online tutoring course
A 6-week online course, developed by the Institute for Academic Development and Information Services, to support staff new to tutoring and teaching for online distance courses.
What the course will do
- Prepare you for your role in supporting students on an online distance learning course.
- Promote an understanding of similarities and differences between face-to-face and online roles and interactions.
- Introduce some options for supporting different online communications modes and activities.
- Assist in understanding the choices available for communications and activities in an online context, and some of the implications of these choices.
- Provide opportunities to experience a variety of online interaction and group work styles, and to reflect on and discuss those experiences with reference to your specialist areas.
What the course will not do
- Address course design issues, e.g. types of assessments, selecting technologies.
- Address key technical issues or give a technology overview.
- Provide detailed training for any technology or applications.
Participant commitment
A minimum active participation for 3 hours per week over 6 weeks (= 18 hours) is required.
Active participation in weekly discussions and other group activities is an essential part of the course. Each week you will explore a different aspect of what online tutoring may mean, mainly through interacting with others, discussing experiences and reviewing resources and tools.
The interactive style of this course means that you will benefit most from frequent short interactions - e.g. 4 or 5 20-minute “visits” to the course site across the whole week.
How it works
We will be using an online environment linking a number of resources and tools. Each week we will ask you to read or view some key resources, take part in activities, including discussions and group projects, and reflect on lessons learned which would apply to your own programme.
The course will be led by two tutors throughout, offering suggestions and feedback on your work. In addition guest tutors will join us for individual weeks to provide additional perspectives and experience.
Course dates
The next course is likely to run from 25th February - 5th April 2013.
Eligibility criteria
The course is open to all staff of the University. If there is pressure on numbers preference will be given to staff involved in or planning a bid for the Distance Education Initiative.
What you will gain
By the end of the course you will have experienced some key aspects of participating in an online course as student and as tutor.
You will have explored some of the technologies and modes of communication and collaboration in use at the University of Edinburgh, and will have the opportunity to select and evaluate some activities in support of teaching and learning online.
How to book
Course booking is via the events booking system.
After booking, you will receive a welcome email and information about joining the online course environment.
Preparatory week
We will notify all enrolled staff of the essential pre-course checks, to ensure everyone has access to the necessary hardware and software, and to double-check on planning time to participate online.
Who to contact
This article was published on Jan 31, 2013