Varsity College Full-time Brochure 41755VC_Full-time_Brochure_20172018_LR (1) | Page 10

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Our Academic Staff The little things that make a big difference
At Varsity College our lecturers are highly qualified and,
in many instances, actively engage with their professional
field. Having lecturers with industry experience provides
you with insight into current industry practice and brings
your subject’s theory vividly to life, stimulating discussion
and creating a sense of what’s in store for you out there.
It’s all about having a finger on the pulse of your
chosen career. Another key aspect of our academic approach is the size of
our classes. At Varsity College we keep our classes small,
ensuring that you don’t become an anonymous face in a
500-seater auditorium, typical of traditional institutions.
By contrast, our classes hold, on average, 60 students,
with the largest class being less than 100 students. The
aim is to encourage you to develop a relationship with your
lecturers, creating a warm, intimate learning environment
where you are confident about asking questions, formulating
arguments, expressing your opinions and developing the
skill of critical thinking.
With their experience coming from the outside world,
you might be wondering how these industry experts are
equipped with sound teaching practices. Good question.
Lecturers at Varsity College connect in a dynamic
online teaching practice community to keep abreast of
new technologies, to enhance learning and to network
globally on modern teaching methods. They are further
guided by a campus based support team which includes
a Technology Enhanced Learning Champion (innovative
educational technologist) and an Academic Development
Coordinator (teaching expert) to stay up to speed with
the best teaching practices. The Varsity College teaching
team is provided with development workshop/webinar
opportunities throughout the year and are further
supported by a peer review system, a measure that
ensures all teaching methodologies result in
quality learning.
Investing to such an extent in our academic team might
seem like a great deal of effort. It is, but the education we
offer is only as good as those who deliver it. At Varsity
College we make it our business to ensure that Varsity
College lecturers are as qualified and equipped for their
role as possible.
Taking it personally
In keeping with this personalised approach, your progress
at Varsity College is monitored by a Programme Coordinator,
a lecturer who keeps an eye on your overall academic
performance and who ensures that you receive the support
you need, should you encounter difficulties. Simply put,
your Programme Coordinator is there to make sure that
nothing stands in the way of your academic success.
Keeping you on track
In order for us to be sure you’re keeping up, we constantly
monitor your understanding of subject material. This means
that over and above formal tests and exams, your lecturers
will assess you on a continual basis. This may sound a little
intimidating, but all it really means is that we are able to
check that the correct learning is taking place. It also means
that if you’re having difficulties with a subject, your lecturer
will pick up on it before you fall too far behind, and give you
the extra attention required to bring you up to speed.