Open University tutor posts

Slim4Summer

Just to say the OU has a lot of opportunities for Associate Lecturers - tutors, really. You can fit it in around another job - evenings and weekends and hours vary 3 to 10 hours a week. Wages vary according to the post.
Applicants have to either have the relevant degree or work experience - depending on the course and its level.
Tutorials done mainly on the phone or on internet.
Wages up to about £600/month... usually around the £300 mark though I think.

PasturesNew

And here is a link to those: http://www3.open.ac.uk/employment/tutors/main_4.shtm

red_devil

would they consider a good grade GSCE as enough I am thinking not?

lauzellen

I looked at this previously and they weren't recruiting for the science subjects I can teach in my area - now apparently they are and starting october so I think I will give it a go - £400 a month extra would be very nice!

red_devil

gcse anyone know!

dollyrocks

wouldn't have thought a GCSE would be enough - my partner is an OU lecturer and he's got an MA in his relevant subject, plus a PhD - but there would be no harm in emailing them to ask, particularly in a shortage subject.

red_devil

Have done.

Pound

What kind of courses will the applicant be tutoring? I know one of my tutors has a degree and another has a Ph.D. But I'm studying towards a degree.

Becles

Please don't think of this as an easy job as it's not! You won't be able to do it if you only have GCSE level.

The people you are tutoring are looking to learn from your skills and experience in the subject. You need to be approachable and be able to explain course concepts clearly to people who are struggling with the course material and give them guidance on how to complete the course.

Some courses have day schools or tutorials, so you'll need to be able to lecture and provide material for students to work through.

Most courses have an online forum that you need to moderate and it helps if you can post relevant articles or topics then encourage students to discuss them as some need a kick up the bum before they join in!

Assisgnments need to be returned within two weeks of the submission date, so you need to plan carefully so you can achieve this. I know marking can take some time, especially when tutors have to check you answered this question in the tutor forum, check out your references and things like that. My current tutor ended up taking some work on holiday recently so he got all the assignments returned in time.

That's all from an OU students perspective. My best tutors have been ones who've spent a long time taking a personal interest in me and helping me pass the courses. Even though I had a very tough year last year, my tutor and her support managed to get me a grade 2 pass on the course (70% overall). People pay a lot of money for the courses, so they deserve someone who is dedicated to making sure they pass the course.

angel13

The Open University only teach HNC (ie first year of degree) level upwards. Therefore in your subject area you need to be qualified to one level above the level you wish to teach. I have already applied to lecture a number of relevant courses some as far away as 2010 but as of yet I have not heard back.

I completely my degree with the OU so I know what it is like to be a student and have TERRIBLE tutors so I am hoping to make other students perspectives better as I know I could morally be a better support than any tutor I had. I was in the situation of gaining most of my degree units elsewhere so not the best of ways to join the OU as it makes things far harder.

Anyway if anyone needs to know more I will try to help Also please be aware anyone on a low income who would like to try a course can usually get reduced course fees or even full fees covered. My partner has applied for a course for next year and if our financial situation does not improve the course fees will be covered. So can be a great opportunity for people where the employers are not taking the time or spending the money to make sure their staff are really well trained.

Pound

angel13 wrote: »

The Open University only teach HNC (ie first year of degree) level upwards.

Foundations of software testing (GM030)
Understanding stress at work (GB009)
Portales: beginners' Spanish (L194)


None of the above courses are HNC level.