MANAGING AND
SUPPORTING
TUTORS IN THE FACULTY OF BUSINESS
& ECONOMICS
A Guide for Subject Coordinators
and Head Tutors
Williams Centre for Learning Advancement
Faculty of Business and Economics
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This guide has been developed by the Williams
Centre for Learning Advancement (WCLA).
This guide outlines the important role and contribution of tutors in
our Faculty and the role that Subject Coordinators & Head Tutors have in managing and supporting tutors effectively.
To gain further support through one-on-one consultation or to participate in any of our
professional development programs, access our website or contact us at fbe-
CONTENTS
About ....................................................................... 3
Aims ......................................................................... 3
Why Your Role is Important .................................... 3
Eight Tips to Better Support Your Tutors ................ 6
Challenges Faced by Tutors .................................... 6
Responsibilities of Managing Tutors ....................... 4
Resources to Support You in Your Role .................. 7
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This document aims to address the following:
1. Explain the critical role of tutors to the quality learning and teaching experiences in
universities, and in particular, the FBE
2. Explain the role of the subject coordinator/head tutor in managing, supporting and
leading tutors
3. Build subject coordinators’/head tutors’ capacity to manage, support, and lead tutors
4. Describe and discuss a situated collaborative learning culture to manage, support and
communicate with tutors
5. Describe how to manage, support and lead the role of the tutors in assessment marking,
feedback and moderation
6. Develop effective practice strategies to manage and lead tutors throughout the complete
life cycle of tutors during the semester relevant to participants’ subject and tutors
ABOUT
The Managing Tutor Guide is designed for subject coordinators and head tutors to effectively address
the logistics and strategies for managing tutors in the Faculty of Business and Economics (FBE). This guide
includes an overview of the role of tutors, establishing effective communication with tutors, supporting
tutors to deliver tutorials/workshops, guiding tutors to teach in different learning spaces, managing
tutors’ assessment marking, feedback and moderation and encouraging tutor evaluation and reflection of
their teaching and assessment practices.
AIMS
Effectively managing tutors is paramount to creating a high quality
learning and teaching experience at the University of Melbourne.
Tutors should be a part of a well organised team to ensure that
student learning experience is consistent and of the highest calibre.
WHY YOUR ROLE IS IMPORTANT
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RESPONSIBILITIESOF MANAGING TUTORS
The professional relationship between lecturers and tutors can be very rewarding. This is a professional relationship, in which both lecturers and tutors have rights and responsibilities. You should ensure that you guide tutors with information about their teaching responsibilities across the complete life-cycle of tutors. Below is a complete guide to these responsibilities. These responsibilities are also outlined in a short video.
ORGANISING AN ORIENTATION MEETING PRIOR TO THE
COMMENCEMENT OF SEMESTER
Tutors should receive an orientation to the University and Department, their work area, teaching space, policies and procedures and provided with the resources necessary to undertake their role. This meeting is held prior to semesters or during “O” week. This meeting should:
Provide important information about assessment design, delivery and feedback
• Subject guideline information
• Learning outcomes
• Assessment task rubrics and marking guidelines
• Assessment due dates and marking meeting dates.
Provide tutorial notes and guidelines
• Tutorial notes and guidelines outline the intended outcomes, key ideas or contentand activities for tutorials
• They are not published documents and they are given to the tutors rather than thestudents. Tutors may transfer section of the notes to their own session plans.
• Designed to be informative for the tutors as well as providing a guide for theteaching and learning in the tutorials
• Tutorial notes and guidelines ensure consistency within a subject i.e. alignmentbetween curriculum learning outcomes, teaching and learning activities andassessment
Notify tutors about
• General policies and procedures related• Teaching schedule: make sure that you have the correct times and venues for
lectures and tutorials• Running tutorial including administrative matters - classes commence 5 minutes to
the hour and end 5 minutes before the next hour.• Student tutorial lists and photos of students - departmental teaching support staff
are usually the best source for this• Access to the subject’s LMS page (be sure that you have given tutors access -
contact LMS to guide you on how to give tutors access https://lms.unimelb.edu.au/)
• Subject materials: textbooks and other teaching materials, and resources providedon the LMS
• Questions and solutions and/or marking guidelines for tutorials
• Direct Tutors to the supplies for teaching• Encourage tutors to visit their tutorial space and log onto the computer prior to
the commencement of tutorials. This enables the tutors to become familiar withtheir classroom space, and ensure that technology is in working order.
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PROVIDE SUBJECT LEVEL INDUCTION FOR TUTORS
Be sure to inform all new tutors to FBE about the FBE Tutoring in Higher Education Program. This program has been designed to support tutors in their role and to equip them with the necessary skills, knowledge and confidence to be effective in the classroom.
The FBE Tutoring in Higher Education Program requires twelve and a half contact hours which comprises of:
• one one-and-a-half hour orientationseminar
• five two-hour skill-based workshops, and
• one one-hour follow-up seminar
• o Inform tutors about polices that impact tutors' work• o Ensure timely provision of ongoing access to necessary
resources• o Ensure all tutors have access to the Subject Learning
Management Page (LMS)•
SUPPORT TUTORS TO ENGAGE WITH THE
ASSESSMENT AND MODERATION PROCESS
• Set up marking meetings for each assessment
• Ensure that tutors understand the relevant context for assessment
• Inform tutors of the University assessment policy and Departmentexpectations
• At the assessment meetings discuss the assessment requirements,assessment criteria, marking moderation and how to give studentsformative feedback in both verbal and written form
• It is a very good strategy to mark one or two assessment taskstogether as a team and compare and contrast grade and feedback
ENCOURAGE TUTORS TO REFLECT ON
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
• Assist tutors to evaluate their teaching, including peer review and
providing feedback
• Reflect on evaluative feedback from their tutorial groups, as well asstudents to enhance the quality of tutorials
• Tutors can also be encouraged to develop their presentation skillsby taking part in peer observations of other tutorials and otheropportunities provided by the Faculty
• Inform tutors about the Student Experience Survey
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ENSURE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN YOURSELF AND TUTORS
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Tutor – Student Collusion and Grade Tampering
Collusion and grade tampering are serious transgressions which will result in disciplinary action by the faculty.
Confidentiality Ensure that tutors keep information regarding student performance confidential:
• Grades/Marks should never be disclosed toother students
• Avoid discussing marks in non-tutoringrelated contexts
• Physical assignments/exams should besecurely stored.
Conflict of Interest Tutors should advise you if they feel their impartiality can be compromised.
Tutor Student Relationships There are strict university regulations about relationships between students and tutors because you have a professional responsibility and are in a position of power. Refer to Appropriate Workplace Behaviour Policy (MPF1328) https://policy.unimelb.edu.au/MPF1328
1. Support tutors in their tutoring role
2. Engage regularly with your tutors3. Foster teamwork between you and tutors4. Invite tutors to attend your lectures
5. Introduce tutors to your students as
important members of your team
6. Lead tutors by example
7. Inspire tutors to become great teachers
8. Become a good listener
CHALLENGES FACED BY TUTORS
EIGHT TIPS TO BETTER SUPPORT YOUR TUTORS
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RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOU IN YOUR ROLE
WCLA Tutoring in Higher Education Program:
A practical and useful program compulsory for all tutors, focusing on
teaching principles, active engagement, practice, peer observation,
targeted workshops and the experiences of senior tutors.
Workshops • The WCLA offers ongoing support for academics through a one-
to-one consultations with our staff and a range of of workshops
including engaging students in the classroom, designingassessment and rubrics and giving formative feedback. These can
be accessed on The WCLA Website.
• Please register your interest here if you require a one-to-oneconsultation and/or preference for a specialised workshop onmanaging tutors
• The Melbourne Centre for the Study of Higher Education also
offers a range of workshops accessible on The CSHE Website.
Online Resources
A range of online resources to support academics in their role are also available through The WCLA Website.
Further Reading
• Aderibigbe, S. A. (2013). Opportunities of the CollaborativeMentoring Relationships between Teachers and StudentTeachers in the Classroom: The Views of Teachers, StudentTeachers and University Tutors. Management In Education,27(2), 70-74.
• Byers, P., & Tani, M. (2014). Engaging or training sessional staff:Evidence from an Australian case of enhanced engagement andmotivation in teaching delivery. Australian Universities' Review,56(1), 13-21.
• Harvey, M., and Fredericks, V. (2015). Quality Learning andteaching with Sessional Staff, HERDSA Guide.
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NEED ANY FURTHER SUPPORT?
Contact the WCLA and book an appointment with one of our consultants today.
Level 6, Faculty of Business & Economics Building, 111 Barry Street, Carlton
T: 83443645E: [email protected]: https://fbe.unimelb.edu.au/wcla
