Informatics Tutoring Scheme

Who is running the project?

The project is run by the School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh. Kasia Kokowska, Marketing, Communications and Outreach Manager is currently managing the project. She is supported by Adam Chudzinski, Marketing and Communications Administrator. Dr Fiona McNeill, Reader in Computer Science Education is the academic advisor to the project who uses the outcomes of it in her academic practice. All tutors are current University of Edinburgh undergraduate and postgraduate students, or occasionally, members of staff.

How does the scheme run?

Computer Science and Maths teachers in participating schools are helping to define expectations and plan tutoring. Schools provide material that the students are working through and an idea of the areas that is most beneficial for the tutors to cover. The tutors support the teachers rather than provide self-directed teaching. We expect all tutors to tutor for at least one hour a week. The tutoring is provided online unless tutees require an alternative solution in which case options such as phone consultations  or in-person meeting can be explored.

Safeguarding and Privacy

Due to the nature of the project, the organisers have ensured that both pupils and tutors are meeting in a safe environment. Only platforms deemed safe are used to run sessions (MS Teams). Tutors have been required to complete relevant training sessions, register as STEM Ambassadors and apply for a PVG check. There are no one-to-one sessions, unless all tutors have a PVG and even then one-to-one sessions are only run as break-out sessions in a group session, with a session supervisor present.

Tutors must abide by the Code of Practice and Confidentiality (see below).

A risk assessment (see below) has been conducted.

Any data collated during the project will be anonymised, and used for evaluation and dissemination of the outcomes.

How to participate

If you're interested in our scheme, please get in touch with Kasia or Adam. 

Documentation

Contact us

Email Adam

Email Kasia

What is it?

We’re teaming up students in Informatics with exam-level CS and Maths students (Scottish National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher) in schools in disadvantaged areas across Scotland to give them extra tutoring to support the CS and Maths they are doing in schools. 

Why?

Many young people, especially in schools in disadvantaged areas, don’t have the support they need to do their best, and Covid has only made this worse.  Weekly sessions with Informatics students help them to master the subject and hence give them a better chance to achieve their potential. It will also allow them to get to know you - someone studying Informatics at Edinburgh - which could have a significant impact on their aspirations for their own futures.

What would I have to do?

We are asking volunteers to commit to at least two hours a week until May 2024.  This will include one-hour online tutoring and one-hour preparation.  You can sign up to do more hours if you want.  We ask the school students to come along to sessions with the material they have been working on in class, which you can help them with - so you don’t have to develop your own materials.

All tutors need to complete required training and attend workshops when asked.

What do I get out of it?

Primarily, the chance to share your expertise and make a real difference in someone’s life.  You’ll also learn a lot of transferable skills, and we’ll be working with you to reflect on what these are and how they might impact your future career.  

We also run the Edinburgh Award alongside the scheme: you are welcome to sign up and work on particular skills while tutoring.

Would I make a good tutor?

Very likely, yes!  You need a reasonable background in CS and Maths, which the vast majority of Informatics students have.  If you are a first-year student without a previous background in CS - or for any reason, feel unsure about whether you know enough - come and talk to us about options.  You need to be able to communicate reasonably well in English, which again most of our students can do.  You need to be able to commit two hours per week on a regular basis (see below for more details). You don’t need any experience or special skills - we will be giving you sufficient training and we will support you throughout the programme.

What training will I need?

All volunteers will need to sign up as STEM Ambassadors. This might involve attending a short training session on what to expect when working with young people in a school-like setting and how to handle any challenges.  It also involves submitting an application for an Enhanced Disclosure Scotland certificate, which is necessary for working with schools.

You will also receive a training session through Moray House School of Education, which will give you the basics of tutoring and how to work with young people.  It will also give you a bit of info about the Scottish exam system, for those of you who haven’t been in school in Scotland.  However, you don’t need to know too much about that, as you’ll be working with material already prepared by class teachers.

When do I need to sign up?

The registration for tutors opens in autumn every year, with training sessions taking place between October and Christmas. Tutoring usually starts after the Christmas break and last till the end of May, when high school students sit their exams.

What if I can’t come every week?

We ask you to commit to tutoring on a weekly basis - if you regularly can’t do this, then this programme is not for you.  But we understand that there are occasional weeks that you might not be able to do.  This might be for things you can foresee - e.g., you might not want to tutor during your exams and breaks or you might be on holiday. In this case, make sure you let us and your students know as soon as possible.  It can also happen unexpectedly - e.g., you’re not well.  In this case, let your students know as soon as possible. It might be possible to reschedule a missed session.

Register as tutor

The registration has now closed for 2023/24. If you are interested to join the scheme in future years, please keep an eye to all student emails about the tutoring scheme in September-October.

Questions?

Please get in touch with Adam.

Email Adam