An Academic Tutor reviews course material with students. Support is delivered on a one-to-one basis and involves recapping of material covered in lectures. It is not a ‘grind’ and cannot provide additional support over and above summarising the content from a particular lecture(s).
Person Specification
- An Academic Tutor must have knowledge of the subject area. This should include module content, assessment procedures and other subject specific information.
- An Academic Tutor should have previous experience in tuition and she/ he will typically be a postgraduate student with advanced knowledge in the subject for tuition.
- The Academic Tutor should be able to adapt their teaching style to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Role and Responsibilities
- A student’s registration with the Disability Office is strictly confidential and is protected under Data Protection legislation. Confidential information about the student may not be disclosed to anyone outside of the Disability Office, without the agreement of the student, except in cases where there is justifiable concern regarding the personal safety of the student or others.
- The Disability Office will confirm the number of approved hours for subject specific tuition. Tuition times and venues should be agreed in advance between the tutor and the student via the college email.
- Tuition should take place in a venue on-campus.
- Liaise with relevant staff in the Academic Department for guidance on subject requirements and course material to be covered.
- Prepare a tutorial plan in advance of the first session with objectives for the number of tuition hours that have been approved.
- Discuss with the student the difficulties they are having and the learning/ teaching methods that suit them best.
- Prepare for each session by engaging in appropriate research for the subject. Where necessary, prepare material, pre-read, photocopy or retrieve books or online resources before the tutorial. This saves time and allows focus on the session’s content.
- Attempt to create a stimulating and interactive learning environment which enhances the student’s understanding of the module content.
- During a tutorial session, prompt the student for responses, present questions and help the student to answer the questions in a structured and academic manner.
- At the end of each session, ask the student for feedback and agree the material to be covered in the next session.
- Give adequate notice to the student if unable to fulfil an appointment. Reschedule the tuition for the next available time.
- Students are required to give 24 hours’ notice if unable to attend an appointment. If adequate notice is not given, the tutor is entitled to be paid in full for the session.
- Complete the evaluation form provided by the Disability Office at the end of the tuition.
- The tutor is expected to facilitate the student’s learning but is not responsible for the student’s performance – the student is responsible for his/her own learning and academic development.
- Observe and adhere to departmental rules.
- The student should not be contacted outside the contracted hours unless in exceptional circumstances.
- Follow the procedure for payment in the HEI. This may include maintaining accurate signed records of the support provided to the student and submitting these records to the Disability Office when requested.
- Be discreet, respect the privacy of the student and liaise with the Disability Office regarding any concerns or issues in relation to the student or support service.
Student Responsibilities
- The Disability Office will confirm the number of approved hours for subject specific tuition. Tuition times and venues should be agreed in advance between the tutor and the student via the college email.
- Ensure they have contact details for the tutor and agree when/ where to meet. Inform the tutor and the Disability Office of any changes to contact details.
- Tuition should take place in a venue on-campus.
- Provide 24 hours’ notice to the tutor if unable to attend a session. The tutor will be paid unless 24 hours’ notice is provided.
- Prepare for each session by engaging in appropriate research for the subject. Where necessary, prepare material, pre-read, photocopy or retrieve books or online resources before the tutorial. This saves time and allows focus on the session’s content.
- Be responsible for their own learning and academic development.
- Give constructive feedback to the tutor to ensure that the most beneficial service is provided.
- First discuss with the tutor if they are not satisfied with the support being delivered, and if it cannot be resolved, the Disability Office should be contacted.
- Complete the evaluation form provided by the Disability Office at the end of the tuition.
- The tutor should not be contacted outside the contracted hours unless in exceptional circumstances.
- Students are required to sign and verify the accuracy of timesheets to confirm that the agreed support has been delivered.
An Academic Personal Assistant (Academic PA) provides assistance with mobility around the campus, educational or physical tasks (i.e. photocopying, notetaking, carrying personal belongings) and some personal care needs that the student cannot complete independently.
Person Specification
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Sensitivity, confidentiality and respect for the privacy of the student at all times are paramount in this role.
Role and Responsibilities
- A student’s registration with the Disability Office is strictly confidential and is protected under Data Protection legislation. Confidential information about the student may not be disclosed to anyone outside of the Disability Office, without the agreement of the student, except in cases where there is justifiable concern regarding the personal safety of the student or others.
- Academic PAs must complete any training deemed necessary by [HEI]. This may include training on notetaking skills, keyboard skills, health and safety training for labs etc.
- The primary responsibility of an Academic PA is to assist with educational support requirements that the student cannot complete independently.
- An Academic PA may be required to assist with mobility and orientation around the college.
- An Academic PA may be required to assist with educational tasks, sourcing library books, photocopying etc.
- An Academic PA may be required to assist with carrying personal belongings, books, folders and materials for the student.
- If providing notetaking support, the Academic PA must also adhere to the guidelines for a Notetaker.
- Academic PAs should not ‘do the work’ but simply facilitate the student’s ability to participate. The Academic PA will not assist with, or complete, any of the work associated with that course of study.
- Assisting the student when with friends requires particular skill and sensitivity. It is important that the Academic PA keep a low profile and not speak on behalf of the student.
- Give constructive feedback to the student to ensure that the most beneficial service is provided.
- Discuss any issues that arise with the student in the first instance, and if it cannot be resolved, the Disability Office or agency should be contacted.
- Arrive punctually at agreed times ready for work.
- An Academic PA is only responsible for educational assistance/ tasks that arise during college contact hours.
- Provide 24 hours’ notice to the agency if unable to attend an assignment so that cover can be provided.
- An Academic PA should not contact the student outside the contracted hours unless in exceptional circumstances.
- Follow the procedure for payment in the HEI. This may include maintaining accurate signed records of the support provided to the student and submitting these records to the Disability Office when requested.
- Be discreet, respect the privacy of the student and liaise with the Disability Office regarding any concerns or issues in relation to the student or support service.
Student Responsibilities
- Provide timetables to the Disability Office/ designated agency as early as possible to allow sufficient time to source an Academic PA for required classes.
- Inform the Disability Office/ designated agency immediately of any course changes/ change in requirements. Delays in providing timetables/ notification of changes may result in a delay in providing the required support.
- Ensure they have contact details for their Academic PA and agree when/ where to meet. Inform the Academic PA and the Disability Office/ designated agency of any changes to contact details.
- Provide 24 hours’ notice to the Academic PA, designated agency and the Disability Office if unable to attend a session or if there is a change or cancellation to classes.
- Attend all classes where the Academic PA is present.
- Adhere to the guidelines for notetaking support if the Academic PA is also acting as a Notetaker.
- Give constructive feedback to the Academic PA to ensure that the most beneficial service is provided.
- First discuss with the Academic PA if they are not satisfied with the support being delivered, and if it cannot be resolved, the Disability Office should be contacted.
- The Academic PA should not be contacted outside the contracted hours unless in exceptional circumstances.
- Students are required to sign and verify the accuracy of timesheets to confirm that the agreed support has been delivered.
An Irish Sign Language (ISL) Interpreter facilitates communication between students who are deaf, their peers and college staff. ISL interpretation provides access to the teaching and learning environment and supports, as much as is possible, the student’s full participation in college life.
Person Specification
- An ISL Interpreter must hold a recognised professional accreditation (i.e. Diploma/ Honours Degree in ISL/ English Interpreting from the Centre for Deaf Studies in Trinity College Dublin or Bristol University).
- An ISL Interpreter will also be a member of a professional interpreting/ translation body and adhere to their Code of Ethics.
- Interpreters must adhere to the Irish Association of Sign Language Interpreters (IASLI) code of ethics and the Irish Association of Translators and Interpreters (ITIA) code of ethics.
Role and Responsibilities
- Introduce themselves to lecturers at the beginning of each term or when there is a new lecturer. The Disability Office provides guidelines on ISL interpretation but it is sometimes helpful to discuss the role of the Interpreter with the lecturer and any arrangements that need to be made (e.g. seating arrangements, provision of materials, arrangements for facilitating class discussion etc.).
- Discuss and negotiate seating arrangements with the student and lecturer at the start of the term or where and when interpretation is required.
- Work with the student and lecturer to obtain and study all necessary materials to prepare for interpreting responsibilities.
- Arrive ten minutes prior to lectures/ interpreting assignments.
- Interpret any spoken/ signed and/ or audio information in a clear and concise manner, for the benefit of both the student and the staff within the HEI.
- Obtain feedback from the student regarding signing style or subject-specific terminology. Be respectful of a student’s wishes for changes to their interpretation arrangements (e.g. style of signing and where/ when interpretation is required).
- Interpret all that is said within the class including relevant comments to and by hearing students or staff to each other.
- Complete any training deemed necessary by [HEI] (e.g. health and safety training for interpreting in labs where hazardous material may be handled).
- Maintain confidentiality at all times by treating any information which may arise in the course of an interpreting assignment as privileged information. Any concerns regarding a student should be brought to the attention of the Disability Office.
- Contact the student and the agency if unable to attend an assignment. Sufficient notice should be provided so that cover can be provided.
- The student should not be contacted outside the contracted hours unless in exceptional circumstances.
- Follow the procedure for payment in the HEI. This may include maintaining accurate signed records of the support provided to the student and submitting these records to the Disability Office when requested.
- Be discreet, respect the privacy of the student and liaise with the Disability Office regarding any concerns or issues in relation to the student or support service.
Student Responsibilities
- Provide timetables to the Disability Office/ designated agency as early as possible to allow sufficient time to source ISL Interpreters for required classes.
- Inform the Disability Office/ designated agency immediately of any course changes/ change in requirements. Delays in providing timetables/ notification of changes may result in a delay in providing the required support.
- Once the timetable has been agreed, it may not be possible to facilitate additional requests for interpreting services at short notice.
- Ensure they have contact details for their ISL Interpreters and agree when/ where to meet. Inform ISL Interpreters and the Disability Office/ designated agency of any changes to contact details.
- Ideally provide one weeks’ notice to the ISL Interpreter, designated agency and the Disability Office if unable to attend a session or if there is a change or cancellation to classes. Unforeseen absences/ cancellations should be reported immediately.
- Where an ISL Interpreter is required to prepare for an assignment, ensure that he/ she is provided with all required materials at least 48 hours in advance. It may also be necessary to meet with the Interpreter in advance to prepare for the assignment.
- Give constructive feedback to the ISL Interpreter to ensure that the most beneficial service is provided.
- First discuss with the ISL Interpreter if they are not satisfied with the support being delivered, and if it cannot be resolved, the Disability Office should be contacted.
- The ISL Interpreter(s) should not be contacted outside the contracted hours unless in exceptional circumstances.
- Students may be required to sign and verify the accuracy of timesheets to confirm that the agreed support has been delivered.
A Notetaker records accurate notes, either written or typed, on behalf of the student(s) to whom they have been assigned.
Person Specification
- Notetakers should ideally have an undergraduate qualification. In some cases, such as a language or technical subject, it may be necessary for a Notetaker to have a background in/ understanding of the discipline.
- Notetakers must have good spelling and grammar and be able to record notes quickly and accurately.
- Notetakers must have legible writing if taking handwritten notes and proficient typing skills if taking typed notes.
Role and Responsibilities
- A student’s registration with the Disability Office is strictly confidential and is protected under Data Protection legislation. Confidential information about the student may not be disclosed to anyone outside of the Disability Office, without the agreement of the student, except in cases where there is justifiable concern regarding the personal safety of the student or others.
- Notetakers must complete any training deemed necessary by [HEI]. This may include training on notetaking skills, keyboard skills, health and safety training for labs etc.
- Notetaking hours are agreed in advance with the Disability Office at the beginning of each term. The Notetaker must attend all agreed classes (lectures, tutorials, labs) and record accurate and detailed notes on the content delivered, including audio visual material, graphics and diagrams.
- At the beginning of term, Notetakers should introduce themselves to lecturers but not provide the name or contact information for the student(s). Lecturers should be advised to contact the Disability Office if additional information is required.
- Notetakers must provide their own equipment (e.g. laptop) and accept full responsibility for it. Laptops must be password protected to protect the confidentiality of student information. Notetakers should ensure the autosave feature is enabled on their laptop and that they have sufficient battery to take the notes for each lecture.
- Notetakers must arrive punctually and be prepared to take notes from the beginning of the class.
- An electronic copy of any notes taken should be provided to the student(s) within 24 hours, and also to the Disability Office, clearly indicating the date, time, location of the class, and the module (subject).
- Written copies of any notes taken should be provided to the student(s) at the end of the class, clearly indicating the date/ time/ location of the class, and the module (subject).
- A Notetaker must not give copies of the notes to any third party, unless directed to do so by the Disability Office.
- If a Notetaker is unable to attend a class, a minimum of one weeks’ should be given to the Disability Office so that an alternative Notetaker can be assigned.
- In the event that a student does not require notetaking services for a particular lecture they are required to give 24 hours’ notice. If adequate notice is not given, the Notetaker is entitled to be paid in full for the session.
- Follow the procedure for payment in the HEI. This may include maintaining accurate signed records of the support provided to the student and submitting these records to the Disability Office when requested.
- Be discreet, respect the privacy of the student and liaise with the Disability Office regarding any concerns or issues in relation to the student or support service.
Student Responsibilities
- Provide timetables to the Disability Office/ designated Notetaking Service as early as possible to allow sufficient time to source a Notetaker(s) for required classes.
- Inform the Disability Office/ designated Notetaking Service immediately of any course changes/ change in requirements. Delays in providing timetables/ notification of changes may result in a delay in providing the required support.
- Ensure they have contact details for their Notetaker(s). Inform the Notetaker and the Disability Office/ designated Notetaking Service of any changes to contact details.
- Notetaking services are provided on condition that students attend all classes. Attendance is defined as being present for the entire session. If the student does not attend, the Notetaker will forward the notes to the Disability Office and not the student. In exceptional circumstances, such as absence from a course due to serious illness, a student may be permitted to receive lecture notes while absent. This must be pre-approved by the Disability Office.
- Provide 24 hours’ notice to the Notetaker if unable to attend a session or if there is a change or cancellation to classes. The Notetaker will be paid for the class unless 24 hours’ notice is provided.
- Provide feedback to the Notetaker on the style of notes (format and layout of notes, including font size, level of detail etc.) so the notes can be adjusted accordingly.
- Do not ask the Notetaker to provide extra information, explanation, coaching or tutoring assistance.
- Must not provide the notes for sale, as a favour or for free to any other person.
- Advise the Notetaker if unsatisfied with the support being delivered. If the issue remains unresolved, the Disability Office should be contacted.
- Students are required to sign and verify the accuracy of timesheets to confirm that the agreed support has been delivered.
