First time tutoring with VEC - Any advice

Upsy_Daisy

I've been given 4 modules to teach in the VEC, has anyone any advice I have never tutored before so I am really nervous and just don't know where to start.

Some of the learning outcomes from the modules are the same so will one class on these cover all modules.

I haven't a clue when it comes to writing up exams and assignments. I'm just a bit overwhelmed by it all but want to get started on it soon or give myself some idea where I'm going.

All help and advice really appreciated.

implausible

What level and what course?

Upsy_Daisy

fetac level 5 office admin, customer service, law, reception skills, information and admin and internet.

blue banana

Hi

Suzanne Twomeys book Customer Service in Ireland should be very useful for the CS Module.

blue banana

PM Sent

Upsy_Daisy

Thanks blu banana - just checked my county library and they have it so have just requested it.

looksee

A lot of things are changing in Fetac this year, presumably you have been given the module code rather than the name? If you are going on the name you need to check back and establish whether its the old course or the new one you are expected to do.

Exams and coursework are going to be increasingly standardised within colleges to accommodate quality control so you may not have as much flexibility as you anticipate. You need to establish whether any other teachers are covering the same modules as you may have to co-ordinate with them.

Upsy_Daisy

I have the course code, it is the new module. I will be the only tutor in this college teaching those particular modules as there is only one course being run.

PaulieBoy

Well done on getting the job! I am only a bit ahead of you in that I just finished giving two FETAC level 3 courses, which were my first step into group tutoring.
To be honest taking on four modules with no help as a noob is insane!
I tutored two mornings a week and spend the rest of the week putting together assignments and worksheets as I had to do it all from scratch. I did get quicker at it as I went on but it still took a lot of time.
I've no idea how you are going to keep up with four! Forget about TV and all that!
You should be given training to help you so go ask for it. I got a day with someone well clued in to go through it all. There has to be somebody that will help you out in your college.
If LOs overlap between courses you can do the same assignments and just do a different cover sheet and photocopy the completed assignment, stick on new cover sheet and your done. That saves your students and you some work.
As for putting assignments together go to section 11b of your course module descriptor and look at the LOs. Group similar LOs together and build your assignment from that group of similar LOs.
For example your first assignment could have LO 1.1, 1.4, 2.4 and 2.5 all together as they have a common thread to them.
So just go through the descriptor doing this till you have all the LOs covered and see how many assignments that works out to be and then go check your timetable and see how you would deliver them. Go back and tweak if needed.
You will then be in a position to put together you CAP and then go focus on putting course material together to suit.
So start with grouping the LOs and all the rest falls into place.
Good Luck :-)

looksee

Slightly off the main point, if you are teaching 4 modules you are going to find yourself standing in front of the class for quite a lot of their timetable. You will need to very clearly define which class you are teaching at any particular time.

Give them a few minutes break between classes (about as much as would take them to move from one to another, about 5 minutes.) Then insist that work from the previous class is put away and define every time what subject you are doing now - write it on the board if necessary.

There is a tendency to think 'its Miss X (or Upsy) so it must be subject Y' and the notes go in the wrong book.

On the other hand, if there is a piece of work that would do just as well for two subjects, there is usually no reason why you cannot tell them to submit a copy of the same work into two folders. This is sometimes done between subjects with different teachers, and if it is appropriate you can have a theme running through a course so that this happens deliberately. Not so likely with your subjects, but it can be done.

Years ago, when I started as a substitute I was given a timetable, 8 classes, and left to get on with hauling them all through end of year between March and May. Training!!! I didn't even know what a module was! Now there are elaborate things called induction, mentoring and training... (it worked out ok

Upsy_Daisy

Thanks for the replies. Maybe I am insane but didn't want to say no either. I've started doing some research and got some library books which are really useful and also some notes etc from another board user. My laptop dying hasn't really helped matters either. Its just the fact that I'm scratch with all four modules and that I've never taught before that makes it all so daunting. I will be teaching two modules on a morning and will have a half hour break between each so should be able to distinguish between them easily enough.

confuseddotcom

Upsy_Daisy wrote: »

Its just the fact that I'm scratch with all four modules and that I've never taught before that makes it all so daunting.

I know nothing about teaching but would you not have some idea of the lay of the land in the Class-room from T.P. from when you were qualifying? That's all I ever hear Arts Students on about anyway is beloved Teaching Practice! Surely part of the idea of that is to make it less daunting when you're setting out on your own teaching.......

Upsy_Daisy

confuseddotcom wrote: »

I know nothing about teaching but would you not have some idea of the lay of the land in the Class-room from T.P. from when you were qualifying? That's all I ever hear Arts Students on about anyway is beloved Teaching Practice! Surely part of the idea of that is to make it less daunting when you're setting out on your own teaching.......

Teaching Practice - whats that? I have a business degree and years experience in administration - why would I have teaching practice?

That is why I'm looking for advice and help. I have never taught before under any circumstances.

rainbowtrout

Upsy_Daisy wrote: »

Teaching Practice - whats that? I have a business degree and years experience in administration - why would I have teaching practice?

That is why I'm looking for advice and help. I have never taught before under any circumstances.

Ignore the comment above, I teach the Internet module you listed and am a PLC Co-ordinator, so if you want to ask any questions about the module send me a PM.

looksee

confuseddotcom wrote: »

I know nothing about teaching but would you not have some idea of the lay of the land in the Class-room from T.P. from when you were qualifying? That's all I ever hear Arts Students on about anyway is beloved Teaching Practice! Surely part of the idea of that is to make it less daunting when you're setting out on your own teaching.......

There are lots of sarcastic things I could say here but I will restrict myself to pointing out that TP is to teach you to teach. Doing a degree and/or having experience will give you knowledge of the subject. Figuring out how to deal with FETAC modules doesn't come under either of these headings, and is something that even someone with years of teaching experience would have to do if they had a new module to teach.

confuseddotcom

looksee wrote: »

There are lots of sarcastic things I could say here but I will restrict myself to pointing out that TP is to teach you to teach.

Why sarcastic? Yeah that was my point.

looksee wrote: »

Doing a degree and/or having experience will give you knowledge of the subject. Figuring out how to deal with FETAC modules doesn't come under either of these headings, and is something that even someone with years of teaching experience would have to do if they had a new module to teach.

I totally agree. It's mostly all about the presenting and delivering to student.


O.P. I shall pm ya with an idea if that's okay.

looksee

confuseddotcom wrote: »

Why sarcastic? Yeah that was my point.


[/i][/b] I totally agree. It's mostly all about the presenting and delivering to student.


O.P. I shall pm ya with an idea if that's okay.

I have no idea what you are talking about. If you have never dealt with Fetac modules why are you getting involved?

The sarcasm was because you were talking about the 'lay of the land in the classroom' and teaching practise, the OP was talking about dealing with Fetac modules.

confuseddotcom

looksee wrote: »

I have no idea what you are talking about. If you have never dealt with Fetac modules why are you getting involved?

What makes you think I have never dealt with Fetac modules?

looksee wrote: »

The sarcasm was because you were talking about the 'lay of the land in the classroom' and teaching practise, the OP was talking about dealing with Fetac modules.

the OP was talking about dealing with Fetac modules as/in the role/skin of a First-time Tutor. - which was why I was querying teaching and the Class-room mechanics. I don't see what the problem/point/issue is with my query. But am done here. Would much rather not risk dragging a Thread off-topic and prefer not to feed the troll / flamer. O.P. have p.m.ed ya with an idea but it may not be of any real use. Best of luck with the endeavour!

spurious

confuseddotcom wrote: »

I know nothing about teaching but <snip>

Please take your comments elsewhere then.

Lyn256

Hi all

Just wondering where these type of tutoring positions are advertised?? I deliver a Fetac level 5 course in Customer Care in Fas (evening class) and would love to do some daytime tutoring.
Like the OP, I have a business degree, Dip in Cont Ed (Train the trainer) and 15 years of sales/marketing/business experience.
I'm in Dublin.
Thanks

Lyn

looksee

Lyn256 wrote: »

Hi all

Just wondering where these type of tutoring positions are advertised?? I deliver a Fetac level 5 course in Customer Care in Fas (evening class) and would love to do some daytime tutoring.
Like the OP, I have a business degree, Dip in Cont Ed (Train the trainer) and 15 years of sales/marketing/business experience.
I'm in Dublin.
Thanks

Lyn

Mainly the VEC and also some private providers employ teachers of Fetac. VEC advertise in the local papers but you would be better to contact some of the private providers or PLC/FE colleges to see if there are any hours available.

You are unlikely to get a job directly through the VEC at this stage without a teaching qualification, it isn't an absolute requirement yet but there are lots of people with the qualification looking for work, and they are more likely to employ them than someone without who will have to get one subsequently.

The same is likely to be the case in the PLC colleges, but there is an outside chance that a principal might be stuck for your subject for September.

Have you enquired in Fas? There are daytime Fas courses so that might be your best bet.