Hi all,
I just had a discussion about the issue of not having the staff required to have a good student:instructors ratio in the first year practicals.
I have a suggestion to make; i don't know if this is feasible - there may be various reasons why this won't work in practice, but anyhow:
(this would definitely require some input by people on the histoni list)
Would it be possible to get third year students to participate as teachers in the first year practicals?
Possibly this could earn them credits towards their degree; maybe there could be some nominal payments also.
I think students as teachers/tutors this may be considered, as
1) They went through the course themselves not too long ago and remember the problems they had; generally they might still be more aware of things that need explanation (which others who have been in the field for too long regard as trivial)
2)It is wonderful extra training for the students, as we all know we learn best when we actually have to teach ourselves
3) First years may find it easier to talk to their peers than assistants (scary!) or professors (more scary).
4) This would up our potential teaching staff by about 10 to 20 people for the courses that require it most
Input?
Best regards
Alex
Alexander Kastaniotis, Ph.D. Department of Biochemistry and Biocenter Oulu P.O.Box 3000 FIN-90014 University of Oulu Finland Phone: +358-8-5531201 FAX: +358-8-5531141