FAQ for Undergraduate Discussion Leaders (UDLs)
What are my duties?
As an UDL, you will be in charge of leading discussions in a discussion group comprising 15 to 20 students. You will be responsible for explaining programming concepts, marking assignments, helping in programming laboratory, and tracking the progress of the programming skill development of the students under your charge. The unique feature of this system is that you will only look after your group of 15 to 20 students throughout the semester.
What role do I play? A Lab TA? A tutor?
Your role is somewhat in between the two. You are not a tutor handling a tutorial class of 20 plus students, nor are you a lab TA handling various lab sessions. Basically, you are the leader of a discussion group; you lead in discussions among your group of 15 to 20 students. You help them to appreciate and learn programming. You are empowered to use either classroom teaching or the lab to coach the students. The unique feature of this mode of teaching is that: You are in charge of just this small group of students throughout the whole semester, and help them in their learning to program.
Is this discussion group something optional for the students taking the course?
No, discussion groups are meant to replace both tutorials and lab sessions. They are mixture of tutorials and lab sessions.
What are the qualifications required of me?
You must be an SoC/FoS/FoE student. You must be into your third or fourth year of undergraduate studies when taking up this job. You must score at least an A- for your programming modules (CS1101/CS1101C/CS1101S and CS1102/CS1102C/CS1102S). Lastly, you must be passionate about teaching and about programming, and must have good communication skills.
Can I use this to fulfil my CS4102 requirement?
Yes, you can if the module is relevant to you. In fact, through this scheme, you can complete your CS4102 requirement (if relevant) before entering your final year.
How long do I need to work?
Officially, in a semester, you are required to spend on average two hours per week on discussion and laboratory with your group of students. You are also expected to spend around two hours per week on marking the assignments of your group of students. Lastly, you are expected to join (about one-hour) dialogue sessions weekly with the module lecturer to discuss students’ progress, as well as to help in other course activities such as invigilation of tests and practical exam. Unofficially, we hope that you are passionate enough to spend extra hours with students under your charge to help them make progress in attaining programming skills.
What are needed for me to apply for this position?
You need to go to the following to make an application:
1. SoC students:
https://mysoc.nus.edu.sg/~teachadm
> Teaching Support Student
> UDL Application
2. Non SoC students:
Please download form from here and submit the completed form to Ms Shanika at comslw@nus.edu.sg.
In your application, you need to choose the semester(s) you wish to perform your duty. Preferably, you can name a lecturer who knows you well enough to comment on your ability to teach/program.
You are required to attend an interview as part of the selection process. The interviews are scheduled on : 12 to 16 May 2008 (Round 1); and 28 July to 1 August 2008 (Round 2).
Do I have to be involved in any event outside the semester period?
Yes, once selected, you are required to attend a teaching assistant workshop. This will be conducted just before the beginning of semester 1. The schedule for the half-day workshop is during Week 1 (11 to 15 August 2008) of Semester 1, AY2008-9. Venue will be announced at a later date.
Must I reapply every semester to be in the cadre of UDL?
Yes. We require candidates to apply online for re-appointment in each semester.
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