How to be an effective Course Representative. Introduction How to be an effective Course Representative Task Talk to the person next to you and find out

How to be an effective Course Representative

Introduction


Task

Talk to the person next to you and find out their name, course and their passion!

Now introduce the person next to you, including all the above information.

Explore the role of a Course Rep

Identify skills used and developed by Course Reps

Identify ways of gathering student opinion and evidence

Discuss the student learning experience

Discuss general meeting practice

Aims and objectives


What is the Students’ Union?


‘The Students’ Union is a campaigning and representative body which aims to advance education for students at Queen Mary, University of London.’

The Dola, Carol, Sam, Mash

Sabbatical Team 2014-15

What is the role of a Course Rep?


Task

On the worksheet in front of you, take a couple of minutes to write down what you think the role and purpose of a Course Rep is and why you wanted to be one

See

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What did you write down?

To represent student views on all aspects of learning and teaching on your course.

To gather evidence and opinions from a wide range of students on your course.

To work in partnership with the Students’ Union and the University to improve the student experience.

What is the purpose of a Course Rep?


Reps for life


From 2014-15, Course Reps are elected for the duration of their course unless:

• They resign.• They miss two meetings in a row and are therefore

considered to have resigned.• Their course mates call for an election.

What are you expected to do?


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• Course Representative• Senior Course Representative• School Representative

Pass it on…When students recognise you as a source of support they are likely to come you with more personal problems. Remember you are not a councillor nor an advisor, so please pass it on!

You can point students in the direction of the Students’ Union Academic Advice service, the University’s Advice and Counselling, and Disability and Dyslexia services, or Nightline (for problems that arise outside of 9am to 5pm).

If you are unsure, just ask a member of University staff or someone in the Students’ Union and we can help.

What should you not deal with?


Who are you accountable to?


As an elected representative you are accountable to certain stakeholders.

Task (discuss in small groups)Who do you think you are accountable to?

Some of the people you are accountable to… Students on your course! The University, your faculty, your department and your course. The Students’ Union. The committees you sit on. Other Course Reps. Future students (you pave the way for them!)

The opportunity to volunteer – volunteer agreement

Looks good on your CV and enhances your employability

Great opportunity to develop and demonstrate new skills

You get to meet new people from across the University

Receive recognition at the end of the year at the Students’ Union Education Awards

What are the benefits for you?


Volunteer agreement


• What we expect from you• What you can expect from us

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Education Awards


Monday 23 March 2015Drapers Hall, London

When are they?

The Education Awards are to recognise Course Reps and University staff.

What are they?

What skills will you develop?


Task

In small groups discuss and draw a symbolic ‘Perfect Course Rep’ which demonstrates the skills you will be developing over the year.

It doesn’t need to be a work of art…

One example could be they have big earsas you will need to be good at listening (but please, no Teletubbies!)

What skills will you develop?


Skills Checklist

Leadership Interpersonal Listening Speaking Problem solving Presentation Negotiation Team-working Time management

Influencing, negotiation and leadership skillsGained in Staff-Student Liaison Committee meetings. The ability to influence decisions and negotiate effectively will help you when you are applying for jobs after university.

How can you use these skills after University?


Presentation and case-making skillsThe ability to explain things and put forward a clear argument will help you in job interviews and in employment.

Transferable skills (employability)Being able to listen, communicate effectively, organise and manage your time and work with various groups are skills that you can use in any work environment. These are often raised in interview questions.

• Introduced last year, the QM Skills Award is currently being reviewed.

• However, all Course Reps are automatically registered for the award.

• To receive the award, Reps need to attend at least two further training sessions (in addition to ECR) and clock up 30 hours of related work across the year.

• Reps should keep a reflective record of their activities (training will be given in 30 minute drop-in sessions) and produce a written report at the end of the year.

• This is in addition to the Course Rep Awards.

How to be an effective Course RepresentativeQM Skills Award

Staff Student Liaison Committee (SSLCs) meeting.• SSLCs are a meeting of staff and Course Reps in your school or

department. • SSLCs are formal meetings and are part of the University’s

quality assurance process.• They are used to inform, discuss and receive feedback on the

student learning experience (other issues can be raised elsewhere e.g. SU).

• Each SSLC has a Chair and Secretary. • There should be an agenda, minutes, actions & matters arising. • You are a full member of the SSLC and can ask for items to be

put on the agenda.

Meetings with your School




SSLCs aren't everything

If issues arise between SSLC meetings, you do not need to wait until the next SSLC. You can always contact the relevant staff member directly, or seek advice from the SSLC Chair or Secretary.



TaskSplit into three groups and think about what you should do…

Group 1 – Before a meeting

Group 2 – During a meeting

Group 3 – After a meeting



Before a meeting Read minutes of previous meeting and check actions Consult with students on issues and gather evidence Prepare arguments and offer solutions Consult with other Reps Put items on the agenda (more effective than an ambush!)

During a meeting Take notes Mention positives as well as negatives Support each other

After a meeting Feedback to students and SU Monitor follow-up actions (including your own!)



Just complaining won’t always help...http://spmcrector.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/monday-funnies_19.html

You are not always going to agree with everyone so you may need to negotiate.

Negotiation


Top tips to negotiationRemember there are always at least two sides to every disagreement, find out what they think before the meeting.

Make your argument evidence based.

Provide options, in case you don’t get your first choice.

Listen carefully and show respect to the other argument.

Gathering evidence


Simple ways to gather evidence… Ask for a couple of minutes in a lecture. Create a survey. Hold a meeting. Send a group email. Set up a facebook group. Noticeboards and newsletters. Informal discussions before or after class.

Why and how should you gather evidence?

Helps to identify the root causes of a problem and not the symptoms, ensuring that you offer possible solutions which address the cause rather than the effects.

How to be an effective Course RepresentativeProblem tree analysis

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The student learning experience


Categorised by the NSS, the learning experience could be broken down into:

Learning experience

Teaching

Assessment and

feedback

Organisation and

management

Learning resources

Personal development

Academic support

National Student SurveyThe National Student Survey provides us with a wealth of evidence about the student learning experience.

If you would like more information on an issue, contact the Union and we will help find evidence to back up your argument. Being evidence-based is vital as it means your argument will stand up better.

http://unistats.direct.gov.uk

What information is already available?


How to be an effective Course RepresentativeChange Makers Report

How to be an effective Course RepresentativeQM Student Survey

The student learning experience


TaskThink of one positive and one negative thing about your course for each area and write them down on the task sheet.

Knowing your own opinion will help you when you’re canvassing your course mates for their opinions. See

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Faculty ForumsThe Students’ Union will host a forum for each faculty in the first and second semester. These dates will be circulated soon.

Meetings with the Students’ Union


SocialsSome meetings with the Students’ Union are fun!

We will be running a couple of Course Rep socials this year to give you the chance to meet other Course Reps from around the University.

Resources


Resources


New for 2014-15

• Individual Course Rep pages – coming soon!

Explore the role of a Course Rep

Identify skills used and developed by Course Reps

Identify ways of gathering student opinion and evidence

Discuss the student learning experience

Discuss general meeting practice

Aims and objectives


QMUL Says…

The purpose of student-staff committees is to ensure that there is an effective channel for formal communication between students and staff in each school or institute, through which students can reflect and give feedback on their programme of study as an integral part of QM's systems and procedures for assuring academic standards and enhancing the student learning experience. The minutes of individual School and Institutes are uploaded to the ARCS website:

http://www.arcs.qmul.ac.uk/QMIntranet/quality-assurance/sslc/2013-14/index.html

SSLC Guidance

QMUL Model Agenda Template

QMUL Model Minutes Template

Minutes Template Contd…

SSLC Guidance

http://www.arcs.qmul.ac.uk/docs/quality-assurance/sslc/115210.pdf

Quality Assurance Handbook 2013-14 / Updated & approved Senate 03/10/13 V1.1




Further training planned for 2014-15 includes:

• Using NSS Results• Effective Meetings• Public Speaking• Creating a Survey• Chairing Meetings

Let us know if you would like us to provide anything else.

How to be an effective Course RepresentativeFurther Training

Do you have any questions?

Questions


Training evaluation and feedbackWe hope you found today useful. However, we are always keen to improve so please fill out a training evaluation form and hand it back before leaving.


Documents

How to be an effective Course Representative. Introduction How to be an effective Course Representative Task Talk to the person next to you and find out