UCL DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Job Title: Teaching Assistant Department: Department of Mechanical Engineering For further information regarding the Department please visit our website at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/mecheng/ Grade: 5 Reports to: Module Tutor / Teaching Assistant Coordinator Staff Supervised: None SUMMARY OF MAIN JOB FUNCTION This role supports the Department’s teaching and learning activities and provides Module Tutors with support for a range of activities that underpin the delivery of a module. These activities may include: delivery of labs, lectures, problem classes and tutorials, formatting and enhancement of teaching materials, updating of Moodle, marking and invigilation. SUPERVISION RECEIVED The Teaching Assistant reports to the Module Tutor and the Teaching Assistant Coordinator. The Module Tutor will provide the Teaching Assistant with all relevant background material and instruction required to carry out their activities effectively, providing explanation and guidance as necessary. REMIT The Teaching Assistant is responsible for delivery of specific teaching and learning related activities as prescribed by the recruiting Module Tutor. The Teaching Assistant will have no responsibility for curriculum content, selection of teaching styles and methods, designing assessment or marking scheme. However, the Teaching Assistant will be asked to engage with these aspects and to offer feedback and propose enhancements to the recruiting Module Tutor. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. To understand and apply UCL Health and Safety policy for self and students, taking actions within UCL guidelines when appropriate. This specifically includes ensuring that equipment used is adequate and safe, reporting any defects or causes for concern to the recruiting Module Tutor. 2. To adhere to UCL Equal Opportunity policy and to work harmoniously with colleagues and students of all cultures and backgrounds. 3. To make the recruiting Module Tutor aware of any issues they observe within the class, for example students not understanding material, poor attendance, welfare concerns. 4. To inform the recruiting Module Tutor of any conflicts of interests, for example if asked to mark the work of a close friend or family member. 5. To ensure that their commitments are compatible with their research programme and, if applicable, visa. 6. To undertake any necessary training as required and to identify personal and professional development courses provided by UCL appropriate to their role. The following is a description of some of the main duties commonly undertaken; it is not intended as a complete list. Activities related to lab demonstrating 1. To ensure that the equipment is functional and/or relevant material and equipment is prepared prior to the start of the lab session, carrying out appropriate checks and informing appropriate staff as necessary. 2. To contribute to the learning experience of students, through the demonstration of practical equipment, experiments and processes within a laboratory setting. 3. To provide students with the opportunity to develop a deeper and wider understanding of principles being taught in lectures, through discussing the course material and providing explanations of how lab activities relate to the subject areas. 4. To keep complete records of student attendance. Activities related to delivering tutorials 1. To maintain communication with the academic staff involved. 2. To be sufficiently familiar with the topic areas, the tutorial questions and the solutions prior to running the tutorial class. 3. To check students’ work for accuracy or proper execution, and give appropriate feedback where it would benefit the students. 4. To help students to gain a better understanding of the solution procedure and the associated theories/concepts through discussion. Activities related to marking 1. To be sufficiently familiar with the requirements of the assignment and to mark the assignment as directed by appropriate academic staff. 2. To mark and return students’ work in a fair and timely manner, according to the established marking scheme and the deadline specified by the Module Tutor. 3. To enable students to raise their ability and understanding by providing both general and specific comments regarding the content and quality of the work, using the standard feedback assessment form provided by the Department. 4. To report any potential academic dishonesty (e.g. plagiarism) to the appropriate staff member. 5. To maintain complete records of submission dates and marks of individual students. 6. To maintain confidentially of students specific (numerical) grades at all times, and not allow any part of a summative grade to be disclosed to any student, except through the Module Tutor. 2