University ups and downs

studentphil

What do others think of the use of post grad tutors for undergraduate classes? Is it a good idea or is it just cheap poorly trained labour that mean the learning experience is reduced?

I personally am not sure as there are rubbish Lecturer/ fellow tutors as well as poor post grad tutors. But I know many feel it is a let down to just get someone who might not even know that much more about the topic than you trying to teach you and the only answer they have is ask the lecturer.

misskool

I teach and I teach better than some of the lecturers. I am also not as good as some of the lecturers. Depends on the type of person that you are. if you are meant to be a good teach then you will be.

However, comments from undergraduates tends to be that most postgrads will prepare their work better and are inclined to spend more time helping the ones who are *erm, how shall I put this* less up to speed with the rest?

Lecturers love bright students and will treat them well but don't have enough time to spend time helping everyone but that's purely a fault of the system rather than themselves. Well, the fact that my first year undergrads can't do algrebraic equations don't help either but that's another matter entirely and taking it down the secondary/a-level education levels.

and I can assure you that post grads are not cheap.
I get paid a reasonable sum to do what I do, thank you.

studentphil

misskool wrote:

I teach and I teach better than some of the lecturers. I am also not as good as some of the lecturers. Depends on the type of person that you are. if you are meant to be a good teach then you will be.

However, comments from undergraduates tends to be that most postgrads will prepare their work better and are inclined to spend more time helping the ones who are *erm, how shall I put this* less up to speed with the rest?

Lecturers love bright students and will treat them well but don't have enough time to spend time helping everyone but that's purely a fault of the system rather than themselves. Well, the fact that my first year undergrads can't do algrebraic equations don't help either but that's another matter entirely and taking it down the secondary/a-level education levels.

and I can assure you that post grads are not cheap.
I get paid a reasonable sum to do what I do, thank you.

It is sad really that lecturers do not like people that have problems or struggle. It is rather stuck up on their part if nothing else.

melancholly

i think lecturers get a little jaded about it all!! it's very hard to see which struggling students are having a tough time and need help, and which are just lazy. i already feel like that as a post grad. i also think that it's a completely different dynamic between undergrads and post grads versus undergrads and staff because of the age differences. makes it hard to compare.

mlbarrett

I get a nice sum when I teach too. Haven't got many hours this year as I should have been in Spain by now.

Also do some demonstration work too. Work alongside the lecturer in their class (usually practical lab classes), just giving extra pair of hand as classes are large and also work I did myself as an UG. Pay about half lecturer's wage for demonstrator.

Least you get a feel for the work; haven't decided yet if it's the career for me though.

studentphil

That always really gets to me about uni how very little time and how unwilling many staff seem to help people. In my view if lecturers are not prepared to do their job and teach then maybe they should be given a pay cut.

DrFluffy

If they do not understand the undergrad stuff, they shouldn't be post grads

I used to teach as a post grad and always got good feedback...

aurora_borealis_2

In my experience, there's nothing worse than students that are obviously not putting the work in and nothing better than one that is.

You could work a lot harder.

studentphil

DrFluffy wrote:

If they do not understand the undergrad stuff, they shouldn't be post grads

I used to teach as a post grad and always got good feedback...

Many are reading papers for the first time to teach them (from what I can tell) and often if you have a question they point you to the Head of module.

studentphil

aurora_borealis wrote:

In my experience, there's nothing worse than students that are obviously not putting the work in and nothing better than one that is.

You could work a lot harder.

How can you work harder if they dont teach the basic stuff so that you can understand it?

aurora_borealis_2

studentphil wrote:

How can you work harder if they dont teach the basic stuff so that you can understand it?

You're supposedly a third year :rolleyes: