1. TEACHING SKILLS: TUTORING MATHS CLASSES
Schedule:
14:00-14:15
Introduction
14:15-14:45
Tutorial class organisation and preparation
14:45-15:15
Course and tutorial class structure
15:15-15:30
Case studies: exercises
15:30-15:50
Refreshments
15:50-16:20
Case studies: discussion
16:20-16:55
Course assessment and feedback structure
Prof. Marina Galano, Department of Materials

2. MATERIALS MATHS CLASS COORDINATOR
Marina Galano
General conduit for information from department and lecturers
Sets collections
Distributes collection material (copy and solutions) and collection scripts to tutors
Acquires collection marks from maths tutors (scripts are returned to students)
Distributes marks to college tutors and the department

3. TUTORIAL CLASS ORGANISATION AND PREPARATION
Some preparation is needed before the start of each new year and term to ensure the smooth running of tutorials.
Course calendars
Organisation at the beginning of each academic year
The first tutorial class
Practical arrangements throughout the term

4. THE COURSE FORMAT MMS PDE&FS Michaelmas (Preliminary problem sheet)
7 problem sheets
Revision problem sheet
Hilary
Collection on MT material
Trinity
Collection on HT material
Revision tutorials work
Exam [100% assessment]
Michaelmas
4 problem sheets
[not directly assessed]
Indirect assessment takes place through other courses

5. THE MMS CALENDAR 2016/2017 Prof. Simon Benjamin Dr Jenny Bowles
Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 MT
Lecture HT
Collection TT
R Lecture
Exam
Prof. Simon Benjamin
Dr Jenny Bowles
Dr Natalia Ares
Dr Jan Mol
MT T. 12, Th. 12 (wks 1-5)
MT W. 12 (wk 1)
MT W.12 Th. 12 (wks 6-7)
MT T. 12 (wk 8)

6. THE PDE&FS CALENDAR 2015 Prof. Simon Benjamin MT M. 12, F.12 (wks 1-4)
Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 MT
Lecture
Prof. Simon Benjamin
MT M. 12, F.12 (wks 1-4)

7. 1st
YEAR

8. 2nd YEAR

9. 2nd YEAR

10. BEGINNING OF EACH ACADEMIC YEAR
Expect course and tutorial information by week 0 from coordinator
(the students receive a similar set of instructions)
Departmental:
room booking system
online teaching material
WebLearn access
student timetables
Academic:
course syllabus & material
recommended reading
preliminary problem sheet
A-level material?
Preparation
Room booking:
Online teaching materials, e.g. Just the Maths:
WebLearn:
Lecture Lists and Synopses:
Arrange the first tutorial with students

11. PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE TERM
Make sure you are thinking about…
Room booking (Materials Reception)
Room awareness (facilities & materials available)
An assessment system (to evaluate the performance
of individual students)

12. THE FIRST TUTORIAL CLASS
Some suggestions:
Introductions: ice-breaking
Reiterate:
information about the course structure and materials
advice on effective study
Advise on preparation for tutorial classes
Schedule further tutorials and when/how to turn in work
Discuss course material so far (or preliminary problem sheet)
free-form!

13. BEGINNING OF EACH NEW TERM [MMS ONLY]
Busy time – make preparations in advance!
Collections in week 0 of Hilary and Trinity terms:
additional tutorial or advice?
last problem sheet and revision questions?
…arrange before the end of previous term.
Schedule first tutorial class:
discuss the collection
arrange tutorial times

14. COLLECTIONS [MMS] Internal Exams
Encourages students to revise the work regularly
Provides information for the tutors and college about their progress
Week 0: Hilary and Trinity term
Preparation:
Mini exam format: inform the students
Revision class beforehand?
Questions and solutions from coordinator in Week 1
Mark ASAP and marks to coordinator
Return scripts to students and discuss performance
Go through collection questions with students

15. TUTORIAL CLASS STRUCTURE Questions and Discussion
Practical information on…
The course formats
Tutorial class structure and content
Advice on…
Teaching practices
Marking practices
Disciplinary or other problems

16. TUTORIAL CLASS STRUCTURE AND CONTENT
Tutorial class structure is shaped by the discussion topics…
Details of the course material:
Vectors, matrices, differentials, integration, ordinary DE
Teaching resources, textbooks, etc.
Online Quizzes and videos
Problem sheets: individual problems
Revision and collection problems
Past exam papers

17. ONLINE QUIZZES AND VIDEOS - MPLS
WEBLEARN MMS
Oxford Account (top right corner)
     MPLS
     Materials
Materials: Undegraduates
Resources
Prelims
    Maths
ONLINE QUIZZES AND VIDEOS - MPLS

18. WEBLEARN PDE&FS https://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/portal
Oxford Account (top right corner)
     MPLS
     Materials
Materials Undergraduate resources
Resources
    FHS
  Other lectures
   Maths - Partial Differential Equations & Fourier Series

19. TEACHING METHODS your choice!
It is essential to convey information to students
Issues to look out for…..
Student behaviour: group and individual
Encouraging participation and discussion
Time management
One should maintain the discipline in class,
but still give plenty of encouragement!
your choice!

20. CASE STUDIES AND EXCERCISES
Small groups for exercises

21. EXPLAINING MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS
Describe a line which belongs to two planes

22. Some Hints…
Students attention is best at the beginning and end of a class, so by making students “move” you increase the attention time
Don’t fall in the trap of silence
Many lecturers are intimidated by the silence following a question and answer the question themselves. Give time to the students to think and react!
Brainstorming can activate students reactions
Peter Cantillon,
David Jaques

23. Some Hints…
Buzz groups. You can divide students in group of 2 and ask them to work on a question in their seats and then share views
Engage students to ask questions
Don’t underestimate the importance of the “group structure” in the group dynamics
Example of group structures
Peter Cantillon,
David Jaques

24. MARKING PRACTICES This is also an individual decision
Here are some suggestions:
Problem sheets:
choose a marking system (numerical or otherwise)
generate a recording system (spreadsheet?)
be flexible: alternative approaches to problem solving
be vigilant: copying and plagiarism
Collections come with a marking scheme
Advise students to check marked work

25. Discussion: Examples of problems that arise?
ANY PROBLEMS?
Assess the nature of the problem
Approach the student
Approach
the college tutor
Discussion: Examples of problems that arise?

26. TRINITY REVISION TUTORIAL CLASSES [MMES]
Trinity term: revision lectures,
followed by exam in week 7.
(exam set and marked by Dept.)
free-form!
Recommended revision:
notes and solved examples in notes
problem sheets and solutions
revision problem sheets and solutions
collection papers and solutions
past exam papers: library and WebLearn
exam format and time management
Beware of recycling: do not hand out solutions!

27. END OF THE COURSE
Complete the last set of forms (
Learn about the exam marks (following year)
Formalise student feedback on tutorial classes?

28. COURSE ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK STRUCTURE
Practical information on…
Collections [MMS]
Feedback to the colleges: oxcort
Advice on…
Trinity revision tutorial classes
End of the course activities

29. COLLEGE PAYMENT AND STUDENT REPORT FORMS
College Office should grant make the form available for you in Oxcort (but you can also set it yourself)
Submission deadline: end of week 7
2 aspects of the Oxcort reports
Teaching Hours
(for salary purposes)
projected tutorial hours
higher rate
collections
Student Reports
(assessing individual performance)
attendance and homework effort
collection mark
free-form report
[reports are discussed with students]
Any problems? Contact the college tutor or college office

30. Pepe Dilan (xxx3333)
END OF THE COURSE

31. Refreshments

32. DEALING WITH GROUP DYNAMICS
How would one handle a weak student in a stronger group?
How would one handle a quiet student in an outspoken group?

33. ENCOURAGING STUDENT PARTICIPATION
How does one deal with a bright 2nd year student who is not putting in any effort into homework and/or not attending lectures?

34. DEALING WITH DISCIPLINARY PROBLEMS
How does one handle suspected cheating in a homework sheet?
How does one deal with an overconfident, outspoken student in a tutorial?

35. COURSE ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK STRUCTURE Questions and Discussion
Practical information on…
Oxcort
Dealing with collections [MMS]
Feedback to the colleges: tutorial feedback forms
Advice on…
Trinity revision tutorial classes
End of the course activities

36. TEACHING SKILLS: TUTORING MATHS CLASSES
“ Tell me and I forget.
Show me, and I remember.
Involve me and I understand ”
Chinese Proverb
Thank you.