In this Agreement, a module means a study session of approximately 16 weeks’ duration (“Module”). For clarity, the academic structure and content of the Module can be found in the respective Module Specification which can be found on the University of London Programmes’ web pages.  

An Online Tutor is expected to perform the following Services: 

Assessment duties (for Web supported and Teaching Centre supported students) 

• To provide dedicated online feedback and marking of all items of summative assessment for the module, as per the Marking Guide to be provided by the Module Leader): 

• -for approx. 50 web-supported students per module, plus 

• -for approx. 50 students studying at a teaching centre per module, subject to demand 

• To assign provisional marks for assessments using the published marking criteria and marking scales.  

• To ensure marking across all scripts is consistent and aligns with the programme’s marking scheme and expected outputs.  

• To ensure that students’ approach to all summative work complies with the University’s assessment rules and regulations.  

All comments and feedback recorded by an Online Tutor about the performance of a candidate in their assessments, whether on the script or elsewhere, may be requested by a student making a subject access request (see Handbook for Examinations, paragraph 4.5.11). 

These assessment duties are also noted in the Handbook for Examinations.  

Operational duties (for web supported students only) 

• To provide at least 50 hours (60 hours for Project module) in total of scheduled online tuition during the Module: 
  • To be the first point of contact for all academic queries on the Module.
  • To work with scheduled interventions linked to continuous summative assessment hard and soft deadlines. 
  • To work with scheduled interventions linked to the Online Tutor Activity Schedule and in liaison with the UoL Programme Management team. 
  • Working with the Student Progress team to decide upon and provide proactive support for students identified ‘at risk’ of non-completion of their studies. 
  • To provide proactive subject area communication to students through tools on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). 
  • Post a welcome message, giving an overview of role and set student expectations.
  • To communicate with students at key points of the student journey in the Module, including a welcome message at the start of the Module, a preparation message prior to the dates for the submission of each item of assessment (project or examination). 
  • To run at least 3 synchronous webinars (2 synchronous webinars for project module) providing face-to-face teaching and feedback opportunities in line with the weekly activities noted in the Online Tutor Activity Schedule.  
  • To manage messages and alerts related to discussion forum activity.
  • To regularly monitor, and answer questions, on allocated tutor group student forum 
  • To liaise, regularly, with other Online Tutors and the Module Leader via appropriate discussion forums. 
  • To develop initiatives for the enhancement of student support and
  • To coordinate student feedback on the Module to facilitate the completion of a Module review led by the Module Leader at the end of each Module. 

A full description of these activities can be found in the Module Leader and Online Tutor Roles and Responsibilities document. This document is provided during the Module Leader and Online Tutor induction.