College Lecturer Job Description

If considering teaching at the university level, note that a Ph.D is preferred.

It is the duty of a college lecturer to provide instruction to students through explanations of subject matter using classroom demonstrations, exercises, question-answer sessions and evaluations of students. Referred to also as an adjunct professor, a lecturer can be hired with a part-time or full-time contract and is generally a non-tenured position. A minimum of a master's degree is required in the field of study he will be teaching.

Design Syllabus

A lecturer should provide an explanation of the overall structure, subject matter and general expectations of the class by providing each student with a syllabus at the beginning of the semester. Develop a class schedule consisting of daily lesson plans that include demonstrations, handouts and tests. A syllabus may be designed for a month, unit, or semester, and may incorporate supplemental materials that enhance student understanding. Colleges require plagiarism policies, disability services policies, and other vital information to be included in the syllabus.

Provide Instruction

Including irrelevant information in presentations may confuse or bore students.

Regardless of the field of study you lecture in or individual college requirements, it is the lecturer's responsibility to make sure that the subject matter is presented effectively and content is readily accessible to students. PowerPoint presentations encourage active participatory learning---note taking helps students put concepts in their own terms. Providing worksheets and handouts allows students to test their knowledge. If you require students to complete worksheets, answers must be made available for students to make comparisons and corrections.

Develop Evaluations

After subject matter has been presented to students, it is the responsibility of the lecturer to assess each student's performance and progress. Evaluations may be given in the form of quizzes, tests, presentations, portfolios, etc. Discuss evaluations and the weight of each with the department chair, as some assessments, such as common final exams, may be mandatory in some courses. Assign grades for each evaluation.

Maintain Grades

Computer-based grading programs weighh and compute data, saving you time.

An effective lecturer outlines grading policies in the syllabus at the beginning of the semester. Maintaining grades allows a lecturer to track both individual and class progress. If an entire class performs poorly on the assignment, then that may be an indication that either the assignment was not properly explained or students have failed to grasp subject material. It is up to the discretion of the lecturer to offer makeup assignments and/or extra credit. Check with your college to see if they offer an online grading system where students can track their progress throughout the semester.

Be Available Outside Class

Providing office hours allows students to come to you for individual help.

Although every college has guidelines regarding out-of-class assistance, a college lecturer should makes himself/herself available at least three hours a week outside of class time. Inform students in your syllabus of your out-of-class protocol. A lecturer can make himself available by providing office hours, designating times he can be reached by email, or setting up weekly web chats.

References

• The Role of Adjunct Faculty in Higher Education

Resources

• Simply Hired: College Lecturer