How to be an effective Course Representative. Introductions How to be an effective Course...

How to be an effective Course Representative

Introductions


Working in pairs:

1. Introduce your self to each other and find out each other’s name, course and year of study

2. Write this information on a sheet of A4 paper

3. Take a picture of each other holding up this paper

4. Send the picture to [email protected]

[email protected]

Explore the role of a Course Rep

Identify skills needed by Course Reps

Identify ways of gathering student opinion and evidence

Discuss 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.’

Will, Miranda, Imran& Carol

Sabbatical Team 2015-16

What is the Students’ Union?


MISSION To Improve students' lives.

VISION For all students to feel part of a Queen Mary community where they can develop, are supported and can make changes on issues that affect them.

VALUES Student Led & Democratic Diverse & Inclusive Open & Accessible Progressive & Creative Welcoming & Fun

How it worksStudents' Union• Members (You!)• Elected Officers (including VP Education) - sit on many University

Committees etc.• Student Council (includes all elected Officers, full and part-time) - passes

policy and holds Officers to account• Education Zone (includes Faculty, First Year, International, PGT and PGR

Reps) - proposes policy, runs campaigns etc.• Faculty Reps (x2) - sit on Faculty and University Committees• School Reps (1 per SSLC) - liaise with Faculty Reps• Senior Reps - can be School Reps and Co-chairs• Course Reps• Students

What is the role of a Course Rep?


Task

Why do we have Course Reps and why did you want to be one? (Call out your answers)

To represent students’ views on the learning and teaching on your course.

To gather evidence and opinions from students on your course.

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

What is the role of a Course Rep?


Course Representative

Course Representatives are elected by the students on their course. Course Reps are the link between students and staff on their course. They ask for students' views and represent them at Staff Student Liaison Committee (SSLC) meetings, work with staff to improve their course, ask for changes, and solve any course-related problems. Course Reps work with the Students’ Union QMSU and its elected officers, to help make things better for their fellow students.

Responsibilities:

1. To attend the training provided by QMSU.2. Attend SSLC meetings and contribute to the discussion.3. Ask for opinions/issues from students before SSLC meetings.4. Ask for items to be included on the SSLC agenda. 5. Give feedback to students after SSLC meetings.6. To raise course related issues with teaching or support staff as they happen.

Course Rep Job Description


Faculty Reps 2015-16

HSS• Petros Petrikkos

[email protected]

• Aidan Higgins [email protected]

S&E• Paulo Arroyo

[email protected]

• Ali Talib [email protected]

Faculty ForumsFaculty Forums

• A Faculty Forum shall be held once each semester.

• Membership of the Faculty Forum shall be as follows:

• Faculty Representatives (one of whom will take the Chair)

• All School Reps from within the Faculty• PGT and PGR Reps from each SSLC• Chairs and Secretaries of each SSLC within the

Faculty (whether staff, or student Co-chair)• The QMSU VP Education• The QMSU Education Representation and

Policy Coordinator (Secretary) • The Deans of Faculty will be invited to their

Faculty’s Faculty Forums.• Any Course Rep may attend their Faculty’s

Faculty Forums.

Faculty Forums 2015-16• HSS Faculty Forum Semester 1

Monday 16 November 2015 17.30 – 18.30

• S&E Faculty Forum Semester 1Tuesday 17 November 2015 17.30 – 18.30

• S&E Faculty Forum Semester 2Monday 1 February 201617.30 – 18.30

• HSS Faculty Forum Semester 2Tuesday 2 February 201617.30 – 18.30

Pass it on…Students may come to you with more personal problems. Remember you are not a councillor or an advisor, so please pass them on!

You can direct students to the Students’ Union Academic Advice service, or the University’s Advice and Counselling and Disability and Dyslexia services.

If you are not sure what to do, just ask a member of University staff or someone in the Students’ Union to help.

What should you not deal with?


Who are you resposnible to?


As an elected representative you are responsible to certain stakeholders.

TaskWho do you think you are responsible to? (Call out your answers)

Who are you accountable to?


Some of the people you are responsible to… Students on your course! The University. The Students’ Union. Other Course Reps. Future students (you can help make things better for them!)

The opportunity to volunteer – volunteer agreement

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?


Can be included on your CV to enhance your employability

Education Awards


Date tbcDrapers 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

Working in pair, discuss the skills you think you need to be a good Course Rep (You will be asked to call out your answers)

What skills will you develop?


Skills Checklist

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

QM Skills AwardHow can YOU take part?

• Complete and log 30 hours of activity in the Union

• Attend 3 training sessions• Complete reflective exercises

QM Skills Award helps YOU:• Recognise the skills you have

developed through your dedication to QMSU

• Strengthen and gain further employability skills

• Articulate your skills to employers

• Identify further development opportunities

As a Course Rep YOU are eligible for this Award!

How do YOU register?Complete a short survey here:www.qmsu.org/employability/qmskills/

http://www.qmsu.org/employability/qmskills/

http://www.qmsu.org/employability/qmskills/

Staff Student Liaison Committee (SSLCs) meeting.• SSLCs are a meeting of staff from your course and Course

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

quality process.• They are used to discuss and receive feedback on the student

learning experience • The SSLC has a Chair and Secretary. • There should be an agenda, minutes and actions. • 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 problems 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.



TaskWorking in pairs, think about what you should do…

1 – Before a meeting

2 – During a meeting

3 – After a meeting

(You will be asked to call out your answers)



Before a meeting Ask students for opinions or problems and collect evidence Prepare arguments and offer solutions Talk with other Reps Put items on the agenda

During a meeting Take notes Mention things you like as well as problems Support each other

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



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

Gathering evidence


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

Why and how should you gather evidence?

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 RepresentativeQM Student Survey

You are not always going to get exactly what you want so you may need to negotiate.

Negotiation


Top tips to negotiationRemember there are always at least two sides to every issue.

Make your argument evidence based.

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

Listen carefully and show respect for each other.

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

See

hand-out

The student learning experience


Collecting students’ opinionsUse this sheet to help collect student opinions.

Remember to ask why and how things could be improved

See

hand-out

Resources


www.qmsu.org/reps/coursereps

Explore the role of a Course Rep

Identify skills needed by Course Reps

Identify ways of gathering student opinion and evidence

Discuss meeting practice

Aims and objectives


Further training planned for 2015-16 includes:

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

How to be an effective Course RepresentativeFurther Training

Lunch and Learn• Problem Solving

Tuesday 1 December 12.30-13.30Wednesday 2 December 12.30-13.30

• Communication Thursday 3 December12.30-13.30Monday 7 December12.30-13.30

• Interpersonal SkillsTuesday 8 December12.30-13.30Wednesday 9 December12.30-13.30

• Self-managementThursday 10 December12.30-13.30Monday 14 December12.30-13.30

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.

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




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