Teaching Assistants (TA)

Under the RVRC Senior Programme, the Teaching Assistant (TA) roles offer the opportunity for Seniors to gain exposure in a higher education teaching role. This includes course-related design/planning, delivery (e.g. facilitating class activities), assessments, and providing academic mentorship to students reading RVRC courses. TAs are often perceived as role models by students, which speaks to the potential impact they play in this role, in addition to other potential benefits, including the following:

1. Immersion in the academic profession ​within a university context:

• Understand the responsibilities and roles of a university instructor.
• Develop foundational skills and knowledge in curriculum design and course delivery, pedagogy, and educational technology. ​

2. Making an impact on course delivery​:

• Develop and provide inputs to class (and fieldtrip) activities that enhance student learning

3. Receiving teaching mentorship​:

• Obtain feedback and guidance from experienced course supervisors on curriculum development, course delivery, and pedagogy. ​

4. Building career prospectsin higher-education teaching:

• Develop an early career teaching portfolio (useful for graduate school teaching opportunities) ​

 

 What are the roles of a TA?

 TAs’ roles include*:

• Co-design of course activities/ content ​
• Logistics (budget management, field trips, attendance)​
• Partner liaisons and outreach​
• Canvas management support​
• Participation in teaching research​
• Co-facilitation of class activities​

*Each TA’s roles and responsibilities can be expected to be unique and adapted to the needs of their assigned course. Before the start of each semester, TAs will have the opportunity to engage with their assigned course supervisors to discuss their personal and professional development/learning goals and TA responsibilities.

 

Alignment with UTOP (forthcoming)

With effect from AY2024-25, the RVRC SP Teaching Assistant roles will be fully aligned with the University’s Undergraduate Teaching Opportunities Programme (UTOP). Seniors who have duly completed their TA responsibilities, including participating in a structured training programme organised by the Centre for Development of Teaching & Learning (CDTL), will earn units that count towards their Unrestricted Elective requirements:

 4 units are equivalent to 130 hours, and 8 units are equivalent to 260 hours.

 

How can I become a TA?

To become a TA, you should possess the following:

• Be an NUS undergraduate student who has completed the RVRC Programme or who is in the final semester of completing the RVRC Programme.
• Be in good university standing (academic, disciplinary, etc.) **
• Have a keen interest in learning and developing capabilities in a higher education teaching role.
• Have a passion for providing academic mentorship to students reading RVRC courses.

**In alignment with UTOP’s requirements

 

Senior Programme positions available each year. Applicants are evaluated based on the strengths of their application and interview, along with internal review and recommendations from RVRC academic and resident Fellows. The selection process follows a holistic approach to ensure that only the most suitable and motivated candidates are selected for these positions.