Postgraduate Demonstrators and Teachers

The UK Centre for Bioscience supports learning, teaching and assessment in the biosciences which includes supporting graduate students who teach or demonstrate, no matter how small their role. If you are demonstrating, perhaps in practical sessions or on field courses, or teaching small groups or even giving lectures you may find the resources on this page useful. We also have resources that may be useful to you during your course.

• Teaching resources
• Postgrad and Postdoc events
• Questions about learning and teaching in the biosciences?
• Training and skills
• Recognition for your teaching

Teaching resources

The Centre has a Short Guide for Postgraduate Teachers and Demonstrators, with hints and tips on demonstrating in practical classes, assessing student work and supervising final year project students. The guide is available to download in pdf format and we have a limited number of paper copies, please contact us if you would like to receive a copy.

You may also find the following Centre resources useful in your teaching or demonstrating:

• The New Lecturers section of our website, for staff who are new to teaching
• New lecturers resource folder which gives hints and tips on different aspects of teaching and lists of where to go for further help
• ImageBank, copyright cleared images for educational use
• Centre for Bioscience Bulletin, short articles and features about bioscience education and teaching
• Bioethics Briefings - introductions to various bioethical topics with case studies and suggestions for further reading, they could form the basis of a tutorial or discussion session
• Short Guides, introductions to aspects of learning and teaching
• Education Acronym list - from ACFHE to YES

You may also find the following external links useful if you are demonstrating or teaching.

• The Maths Stats and OR Network have produced a series of short guides for postgraduates who teach and the Economics network have a Guide for Graduate Teaching assistants, which although subject specific have useful hints and tips if you are demonstrating or teaching
• Engage in Research, a site for undergraduate students that brings together information, resources and activities around developing, carrying out and reporting on student projects, the site could be useful if you are supervising undergraduate project students
• Inspiring Learning about Teaching and Assessment by Phil Race and Sally Brown (2001). Published by the ILT, in association with EducationGuardian.co.uk, is a booklet principally aimed at individuals who are relatively new to teaching in HE and postgraduates who teach/demonstrate. It provides practical suggestions and an introduction to the literature on the theories and practices of learning, teaching and assessment. Read more in the Education Guardian
• Developing Postgraduate's Teaching skills in the Sciences project, carried out at the University of East Anglia, produced a programme to develop the teaching skills of postgraduate students
• The Biology Demonstrator's workshop and resource pack, produced by the SEED (Science Education Enhancement and Development) programme, although specific to demonstrating at the University of Plymouth provides a useful checklist of things to consider when demonstrating
• Teaching as a PhD Student, from History at the Higher Education Academy, would be useful if you are running tutorials or seminars or doing small group teaching.

Postgrad and Postdoc events

In February and April 2010 Anne Tierney (University of Glasgow), Joy Perkins (University of Aberdeen) and Morven Shearer (University of St. Andrews), with the support of the Centre, ran two events for Postgraduate and Postdoctoral Fellows who teach. A variety of topics were covered, including assessment and feedback, demonstrating in practical sessions and small group teaching. All the presentations, resources from the day and discussion outcomes are available to download:

• University of Glasgow event, 24th February 2010
• University of Manchester event, 28th April 2010

Questions about learning and teaching in the biosciences?

You are welcome to contact us with any queries you have regarding learning and teaching in the biosciences. We receive all sorts of enquiries and are always happy to help. We have a Frequently Asked Questions page but if you can't find the information you require then contact us! We aim to give you an initial response within two working days.

Training and skills

As part of your postgraduate degree you may have to complete compulsory training, in teaching and learning before you are allowed to demonstrate to students. You may find that your institution offers a range of courses especially for postgraduate students who teach, through its Staff Development or Training Department.

We hold workshops and training sessions on various aspects of teaching and learning.  Registration, lunch and refreshments are free of charge and you are more than welcome to attend. We also provide a certificate of attendance with details of what has been covered in the day. Travel bursaries are available from the Centre to support you in attending Centre events. Visit our events page for more details, information about our current events and to register.

Vitae offer a variety of courses and although these do not relate directly to teaching, the skills that you learn can be applied to your teaching for example: project management; leadership; networking; and presentation skills.

Recognition for your teaching

If you are teaching or demonstrating you might consider applying for Professional Recognition from the Higher Education Academy as an Associate or, if you have a substantive role in teaching and learning, a Fellow. Recognition is valued by universities and colleges and recognises your commitment towards learning and teaching. You can gain recognition as and Associate or Fellow by:

• Taking an accredited course: Completing a professional development programme within your own institution which has been applied to the UK Professional Standards Framework and is accredited by the Higher Education Academy. There is a list of approved courses on the Academy website.
• Individual recognition: You can apply via the individual recognition route, completing an application which is then peer reviewed against a set of recognition criteria.

Visit the Higher Education Academy website for more information about the scheme and details on how to apply.

How working with the Centre can help you to work towards recognition

Bioscience Mentors

Bioscience Mentors is a group for individuals working within the Higher Education sector who are interested in teaching and scholarship in the Biosciences. Bioscience Mentors aims to provide support and advice for like-minded colleagues, in career development and in gaining recognition and reward for excellence in learning and teaching. You might be able to get advice on working towards recognition as an associate or fellow, or hear about how other teaching staff have developed their learning and teaching career. Find out more about Bioscience Mentors.