The University of South Africa (UNISA) is inviting applications for Teaching Assistant positions in the Department of African Languages within the School of Arts, College of Human Sciences. This role presents an exceptional opportunity for professionals passionate about education, African languages, and contributing to a dynamic and multicultural distance learning environment.
About UNISA
UNISA is a leader in open and distance education, offering a diverse range of academic and career-focused programs. As a comprehensive, open, and distance e-learning tertiary institution, UNISA serves students across the globe, ensuring that quality education is accessible to all. UNISA’s commitment to excellence in teaching and learning is reflected in its approach to delivering courses online, making the Teaching Assistant positions a vital part of its educational strategy.
Position Overview
The Teaching Assistant positions are tied to the AFL1501 module – Language through an African lens. This module is designed to equip students with the skills to engage effectively in a multicultural society, with an emphasis on sensitivity in language use and cross-cultural communication. The role of the TA in these positions is integral to the success of this module, providing support and guidance to students and ensuring that the course content is delivered effectively in an online environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Course Familiarization: Engage deeply with the subject content and pedagogical approaches of the AFL1501 module. Attend required online training to understand the specific teaching methods used in this course as part of the positions.
- Student Interaction: Facilitate and support online learning for approximately 200 students. This includes moderating discussions, providing personalized feedback, and helping students navigate the online learning environment as expected in the positions.
- Assessment: Participate in the marking of assessments, offering constructive feedback, and ensuring that students understand the course material and are able to apply it in their assessments, a critical part of the Teaching Assistant positions.
- Content Development: Work closely with lecturers to contribute to the development of course materials and assessment tools. Bring new ideas and perspectives to the course content, ensuring it remains relevant and engaging for students, a key aspect of the positions.
- Mentorship: Actively mentor new Teaching Assistants, helping them to meet performance standards and integrate into the teaching team, which is an important function within the Teaching Assistant positions.
- Administrative Duties: Manage various administrative tasks related to the TA role, including maintaining marking spreadsheets, compiling plagiarism reports, and identifying high-risk students, as part of the Teaching Assistant positions.
Qualifications and Requirements
Essential:
- A Master’s degree, preferably a PhD, in African Languages or a related field within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, or Education is required for the Teaching Assistant positions.
- Proven research output, with specific requirements depending on the applicant’s academic background, is necessary for the Teaching Assistant positions.
- Reliable access to the internet and the necessary computing infrastructure is a must for the Teaching Assistant positions.
- Availability to work at least 20 hours per week, with a flexible schedule spread across most days of the week, is expected for the Teaching Assistant positions.
Preferred:
- Advanced computer literacy and prior experience in an Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL) environment are highly desirable for the Teaching Assistant positions.
- Previous experience as a UNISA student, with operational knowledge of the myUnisa platform, is an advantage in the Teaching Assistant positions.
- At least three years of teaching experience, particularly in an online or distance learning setting, will be beneficial for the Teaching Assistant positions.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must not be current UNISA fixed-term or permanent staff members to qualify for the Teaching Assistant positions.
- Only candidates with the relevant qualifications will be considered for the Teaching Assistant positions.
- Preference will be given to candidates with exceptional academic performance or specific expertise in the module applied for, in the context of the Teaching Assistant positions.
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Application Process
Interested candidates should submit their applications by completing the online form provided. The following documents should be included in a single file:
- Certified copies of qualifications, academic transcripts, and identity documents (certified within the last three months).
- Comprehensive curriculum vitae.
Applications for the Teaching Assistant positions must be submitted via email to CHS-TA@unisa.ac.za.
Gross Remuneration: R16 292.80
Closing Date: 23 August 2024, by 16:00
General Enquiries: For more information about the positions, contact Mr. David Mulaudzi at (012) 429 2741 or via email at CHS-TA@unisa.ac.za.
Additional Information
- This position is an independent contractor role, meaning that no employee benefits (such as medical aid, office space, or leave) are provided.
- UNISA is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from individuals with disabilities for the Teaching Assistant positions.
These Teaching Assistant positions are perfect for professionals looking to make a significant impact in the field of education, particularly in a distance learning environment. The Teaching Assistant positions offer a unique opportunity to work with a leading institution, contribute to the education of students from diverse backgrounds, and gain valuable experience in online teaching and learning.
Don’t miss this chance to shape the future of education—apply now for the Teaching Assistant positions at UNISA!
