Okodua, Henry

Flamigni, Flavio

Almae Matris Studiorum Campus

4. Struttura e digestione dei glucidi

Covenant University Repository

Covenant University Tutorial Committee2014-2015 Academic SessionPresenter: Henry Okodua, PhDDate: 3rd October, 2014Venue: African Leadership Development Centre Blueprint For An Effective Tutorial System In Covenant UniversityCovenant University Tutorial Committee (2014/2015 Academic Session)Covenant University Tutorial Committee2014-2015 Academic SessionOutline • Introduction• Meaning of a Tutorial• Purpose of a Tutorial • Content of Tutorials • Structure of Tutorials at CU• Tutorial Coordination • Course Tutor• Tutorial Leaders • Tutorial Groupings, Venues and Timetable • Production of Tutorial Book• Standard Answer Template for the Tutorial Book• Monthly Tutorial-Week• Assessment of Student’s Performance in Tutorial Exercises Covenant University Tutorial Committee2014-2015 Academic SessionIntroduction• This blueprint for an effective tutorial system in the University is a proposedworking document to drive the tutorial system.• It was produced by the University Tutorial Committee and is intended for useduring the 2014/2015 academic session on a test-run basis.• The main thrust of the blueprint is how to make learning in Covenant Universitymore effective and help all students to think for themselves independently.• There are plans to produce a comprehensive tutorial guide by the end of theacademic session.• The tutorial guide will address all shortcomings in the blueprint and shallhopefully serve as a tutorial policy for the University.Covenant University Tutorial Committee2014-2015 Academic SessionMeaning of a Tutorial• Tutorial can be defined as an intensive course given by a tutor for one or several students, usually on a special topic.• The system is usually participatory and interactive when the individuals involved are in smaller groups e.g. 10 persons at most. • Tutorials have the potential to enhance the transfer of knowledge and the learning process.• A significant proportion of the input in a tutorial always comes from the student. • Part of this input by the student is a considered, thoughtful reaction to the reading and thinking that has been set for the tutorial.Covenant University Tutorial Committee2014-2015 Academic SessionPurpose of a Tutorial • The primary purpose of the tutorial is to teach students to think for themselves.• A major purpose of the tutorial is also “To monitor students’ working habits and learning in betweenthe tutorials• A good tutorial must serve the purpose of lowering or eliminating all emotional barriers to learning• Examples include the student’s fear of making mistakes, and the student’s feeling of intimidation by the tutor’s superior expertise• Tutorials are typically seen as a chance to debate and develop arguments beyond the point which the student has reached independently. • The tutorial platform must therefore emphasise participatory and exploratory learning rather than just problem solvingCovenant University Tutorial Committee2014-2015 Academic SessionContent of Tutorials• Tutorials must never include dissemination of new lecture or instructional materials. • It should strictly be dedicated to the review and discussion of already disseminated materials • This is purely to help the student gain deeper understanding of the core issues.• It is recommended that the course tutor constantly look for, and use, student feedback to improve content of tutorials.Covenant University Tutorial Committee2014-2015 Academic SessionStructure of Tutorials at CU• Tutorials are often organised differently across the University toreflect the uniqueness of each discipline, the stage of the student’scourse and tutors’ own styles• However, elements of a common approach for the entireUniversity are still required.• A number of positions are therefore considered as vital for theeffectiveness of the tutorial endeavour.• A number of practices are also considered essential for thesuccess of the tutorial system in Covenant University.Covenant University Tutorial Committee2014-2015 Academic SessionTutorial Coordination• Tutorials shall be coordinated at the School level. • To this end, there shall be a Tutorial Coordinator for each School appointed from within the University Tutorial Committee. • Tutorial Representative shall be appointed by the Head of every academic Department in the University. • The Tutorial Representative shall function as the departmental tutorial liaison officer. • Appointment of the Tutorial Representative shall be the prerogative of the Head of Department. • However, the Examination Officer in each Department is recommended for this position.Covenant University Tutorial Committee2014-2015 Academic SessionAppointment of Course Tutor• Course Tutors shall be appointed by every Head of academic Departments to coordinate tutorials for each course in the University. • The most junior Assistant Lecturer (AL) teaching the course is suggested for this role. • Where no AL is involved in the teaching of a course, the most junior ranked lecturer teaching the course shall be appointed as the course tutor. • The higher ranked lecturer teaching the course shall provide the questions and answers for tutorial purposes   Covenant University Tutorial Committee2014-2015 Academic SessionTutorial Leaders • Two Tutorial Leaders (male and female) shall be appointed bythe Course Tutor for each course offered in the Department.• The Tutorial Leaders shall be outstanding students in thecourse and must be so identified by the Course Tutor.• The Tutorial Leaders are also expected to be exceptionallybrilliant students with strong passion for tutorials.• Students are free to nominate themselves for these positionsCovenant University Tutorial Committee2014-2015 Academic SessionTutorial Groupings, Venues and Timetable • Tutorial Groupings comprising not more than 20 students shall be formed by each Course Tutor at the beginning of the semester. • A roster of the tutorial groups and relevant tutorial timetable shall also be made available to students at the beginning of the semester. • All tutorial group discussions shall be on the basis of the tutorial groupings.• Tutorial group discussions are expected to take place daily in the common rooms situated in the halls of residence as well as in lecture rooms within the academic buildings. • Tutorial group discussions shall be conducted daily at such time considered most convenient by the concerned students. Covenant University Tutorial Committee2014-2015 Academic SessionProduction of Tutorial Books• Tutorial Book shall be produced for each level in every course programme within the University. • The Tutorial Book shall comprise standard tutorial questions and model answers for all undergraduate courses offered in the academic Departments. • The Tutorial Book shall be in electronic form and shall be published by the Covenant University Press with the names of all contributors duly acknowledged. • The Tutorial Book shall be made available to students on the Covenant University intranet free of chargeCovenant University Tutorial Committee2014-2015 Academic SessionStandard Answer Template for the Tutorial Book•All model answers for the tutorial book shall adhere to the following format:•A list of all theoretical and practical issues or topic area that the student’s understanding is intended for testing by the question •A list of all key points that the examiner expects the student to emphasise in answering the question• The model answerCovenant University Tutorial Committee2014-2015 Academic SessionMonthly Tutorial-Week•There shall be a week (known as the Tutorial-Week) in each calendar month of the semester dedicated to tutorials. •This shall be without prejudice to the tutorial questions given to the students at the conclusion of lectures every week.Covenant University Tutorial Committee2014-2015 Academic SessionAssessment of Student’s Performance in Tutorial Exercises• Student’s performance in tutorials shall constitute a part of the continuous assessment for each semester. • The reward for participation in the tutorial-week shall be graded as follows:• Attendance: 2 marks. • Questions satisfactorily discussed/answered: 2 marks. Relevant Questions initiated/asked: 1 mark. • Maximum total marks for each student per tutorial-week shall be 5 marks. • This will amount to a maximum of 15 marks for the semester awardable to any student in all three tutorial-weeks.  • This reward system will hopefully encourage full and active participation of students in tutorials.Covenant University Tutorial Committee2014-2015 Academic SessionAppreciation•THANK YOU FOR LISTENING