Tutors Support Network

The Tutors Support Network (TSN) is a collection of individuals from across campus who share an interest in improving the teaching experience of ANU tutors and demonstrators.  TSN operates as a community of practice, [1] and as such the membership and their interests determine its tasks and goals.

Formed in August 2006, the initial goal of TSN was to enrich the group's understanding of current tutor support resourcing, needs and issues, by identifying:

• the current mechanisms for tutor support and tutor training sessions for each ANU College;
• the possible overlap and/or gaps in both skill development and support for individual tutors;
• strengths and particular expertise of Colleges and individuals; and
• to review and consolidate the available expertise, experience and resources which build excellence in tutor practice at the Australian National University.

Through increased knowledge of what support and training is currently available to tutors in the different Colleges, members have been able to improve the training and support offered by sharing existing resources and building on existing initiatives.

Beyond this initial activity the group addressed the gaps and deficiencies in resourcing. The common theme that emerged was the need for on-going support for tutors, not just one-off tutor induction sessions. The group determined that with its limited resources the best way to meet this need was to publish a website that consolidated the information that was available.

In summary the achievements of the community to date include:

• pilot version of a Tutors@ANU website endorsed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor to be hosted on ANU’s website February 2007;
• launch of the Tutors@ANU [2] website formally by University October 2007;
• TSN membership participation in HDR Review, and contribution to a proposal to address the issue of teaching training for ANU HDR students, (part of tutor base at ANU) which is endorsed;
• strengthened and evolved the Tutor Quality Program & Tutors Induction Program run through different colleges;
• delivering cross university tutor induction February 2008;
• ongoing research to create data profiles of ANU tutors and demonstrators to initiate conversations across the university on a range of issues to do with induction, support and professional development;
• Teaching Enhancement Grant for 2009 for maintenance and development of the Tutor@ANU website;
• resourcing a group of current ANU Tutors to run a 2009 Tutors Orientation session.
• cross-university discussions on supporting tutoring at ANU
• re-launch of Tutors@ANU [3]
• re-launch of Tutors@ANU Exchange [4]
• launch of Tutors@ANU Community [5]

Current members of TSN:

• Paul Preston [6], Academic Skills and Learning Centre
• Gerry Corrigan [7], CMHS
• Jay Hays [8], CBE
• Lynette Johns-Boast [9], CECS
• Trevor Vickers [10], Research Student Development Centre
• Luke Powter, [11] Fenner School of Environment and Society
• Andrea Benson [12], CEDAM
• Deborah Veness [13], CBE
• Nyree Mason [14], CEDAM
• Tony Tan [15], CBE
• Ruth Mills [16], CoPS
• Candida Spence [17], ILP

It's a great time to consider joining TSN — new members are always welcome.

If you wish to contact the TSN, please contact one of the members named above, or send email to the tutors@anu.edu.au [18]  [18]