Welcome…

This Getting started booklet is designed to be a handy first reference for you as you take up the role of casual or sessional teacher at UNE.  At UNE, and at many universities across Australia, a high proportion of teaching staff at any one time are employed on a casual or sessional basis and make a vital contribution to the teaching mission of the University.

Teaching is at the heart of UNE’s mission and an overall goal for this mission is:

UNE provides the highest quality learning experience for all students, through the delivery of relevant, future-oriented and quality assured courses … (UNE Strategic Teaching and Learning Plan 2012-2016, p.2) 

Whether you are new to university teaching, returning to teaching after a break, or new to UNE and unfamiliar with the structure and organization of your discipline here, this booklet aims to provide some essential information and resources to help you carry out your role in the University’s provision of quality teaching and learning.

The book has three main sections:

1. Your teaching environment

Outlines some of the important administrative, physical and technological information that contributes to the context of teaching at UNE.

2. Engaging your students

Lays out some of the key aspects of engaging with your students and the teaching and learning process.

3. Quality in your teaching

Takes up the issue of quality in teaching and covers some of the core topics and activities involved in managing and developing your teaching.

In addition to this guide, there are other resources and forms of support that you can draw on in your role as casual or sessional teacher. These include an induction session for all staff, online information resources, workshops and regular interest group meetings on a variety of teaching topics offered by Innovations and Professional Development at the Learning Innovations Hub. The Unit or Course Coordinator in your discipline group in the School and the Organisational Development Unit will be valuable resources in fulfilling your role. A list of useful contacts for these and other resources is provided at the end of this booklet.