Mentoring in teaching Mentoring in teaching - an informal approach -- an informal approach -

Janicke VisserJanicke Visser, Lisanne du Plessis, Debbi , Lisanne du Plessis, Debbi MaraisMarais

Division of Human NutritionDivision of Human NutritionUniversity of Stellenbosch & University of Stellenbosch & Tygerberg Academic HospitalTygerberg Academic Hospital

The US lecturerThe US lecturer

33 Core responsibilities Core responsibilities

- Equal - Equal importanceimportance

- Daunting task- Daunting task

Teaching

Research

Service

Division of Human NutritionDivision of Human Nutrition

Fortunate & successfulFortunate & successful Rector’s award: TeachingRector’s award: Teaching

“It is important to recognize that being a teacher is more than just one’s

occupation; it is who and what you are.”

- Anonymous -

HOW?HOW?

Faculty & USFaculty & US

Predac / ProntakPredac / Prontak– Training programme for newly Training programme for newly

appointed academic personnel appointed academic personnel

– A A mustmust for new lecturers! for new lecturers!

– Expectations, information, Expectations, information,

theoretical reflection, practical theoretical reflection, practical

application of educational principles, application of educational principles,

INSPIRATION!INSPIRATION!

Faculty & USFaculty & US

CTL / SOLCTL / SOL– Info, links, CTL Forum, support, Info, links, CTL Forum, support,

workshops etc.workshops etc.

IncentivesIncentives– Rector’s awardRector’s award

– Faculty awardFaculty award

Funding opportunitiesFunding opportunities

Division of Division of Human NutritionHuman Nutrition

Role models!Role models!

– Knowledge, teaching & presentation Knowledge, teaching & presentation

skillsskills

Experts in various fieldsExperts in various fields

Quality Control CommitteeQuality Control Committee

– Emphasis on good quality teachingEmphasis on good quality teaching Mechanisms in place to monitor qualityMechanisms in place to monitor quality

– Peer evaluation of lecturersPeer evaluation of lecturers

Human NutritionHuman Nutrition

EnvironmentEnvironment conducive to conducive to

developmentdevelopment

““Open-door” policyOpen-door” policy

SupportSupport

MotivationMotivation

Sharing of resources and ideasSharing of resources and ideas

Constructive criticismConstructive criticism

Human NutritionHuman Nutrition

Environment Environment that embraces:that embraces:

Student-centred learning & teachingStudent-centred learning & teaching

New technology/multi-media New technology/multi-media

technologytechnology

– ITV, WebCT [under-& postgrad ITV, WebCT [under-& postgrad

(extensively)], etc.(extensively)], etc.

New techniques: methods of teachingNew techniques: methods of teaching

Human NutritionHuman Nutrition

Environment Environment that embraces:that embraces:

Teaching-related researchTeaching-related research

Integration of Integration of

– teaching, teaching,

– research & research &

– community servicecommunity service

Human NutritionHuman Nutrition

Our students:Our students:

Tutor-mentor programmesTutor-mentor programmes

– Under-& postgradUnder-& postgrad

Student feedbackStudent feedback

– Extensively used to improve teaching Extensively used to improve teaching

practicepractice

Pro-activePro-active

Human NutritionHuman Nutrition

The people:The people:

Loyal: HN & USLoyal: HN & US

Organised & well-preparedOrganised & well-prepared

Up to dateUp to date

PassionatePassionate about the profession & about the profession &

areas of expertise!!areas of expertise!!

Human NutritionHuman Nutrition

The people:The people:

Experienced colleagues:Experienced colleagues:

– supportive & discussion partnerssupportive & discussion partners

– convey insights & experiencesconvey insights & experiences

– encouragement & motivationencouragement & motivation

– guide, adviser, role model & friendguide, adviser, role model & friend

StructuredStructured mentoring mentoring programmes?programmes?

Currently Currently spontaneousspontaneous mentor/mentee mentor/mentee relationshipsrelationships

BUTBUT

Structured mentoring programmes Structured mentoring programmes

could ensure uniformity & identification/ could ensure uniformity & identification/ support of all academic personnel support of all academic personnel

that need it!that need it!

StructuredStructured mentoring mentoring programmes?programmes?

Advantages?Advantages?

Positive contribution:Positive contribution: teaching skillsteaching skills research activity & research activity &

productivityproductivity

career developmentcareer development