Our policy statement
What the service provides
The Student Learning Service (SLS) aims to set students on the path of independent learning. The work of the Service falls into three main areas: in-course sessions, generic workshops and one-to-one appointments. Popular topics include improving essay writing, revision techniques, time-management, exam techniques and note making.
The SLS also provides advice and support in mathematics, statistics and numeracy skills through the Maths Adviser and Co-ordinator of NUMBER: Student Mathematical Support.
The SLS does not provide advice on other specific subject content, ongoing long-term mentoring or proof reading of essays. Students seeking advice related specifically to a disability, including dyslexia, should contact the Student Disability Service.
In-course sessions
In-course sessions may be integral or additional to course programmes and delivered by the Effective Learning Adviser (ELA) alone or in conjunction with course lecturers. The ELA and course team member(s) liaise regarding the content, style and timing of sessions.
Generic workshops
Generic workshops covering a wide range of academic skills topics are run throughout the year. The workshops are aimed at students from specific schools with the ELA for those schools preparing and leading the sessions. Teaching is in small groups and is interactive. Up-to-date information about the content and venues for workshops is available at the SLS website.
http://www.gla.ac.uk/sls/
One-to-one appointments
Students can contact the ELA for their school or the Maths Adviser and Co-ordinator of NUMBER: Student Mathematical Support to make a one-to-one appointment at which they can discuss learning concerns. One appointment is often sufficient, but further appointments can be arranged as necessary. Appointments are arranged at a time mutually suitable to the student and ELA, usually within two weeks of the initial inquiry.
For whom the service exists
Students
The SLS is available to all undergraduate students registered at the University of Glasgow. For most students, the first point of contact with the Service is at induction when ELAs introduce themselves to new students in their schools and tell them about the SLS. The Service extends to postgraduate students undertaking taught courses at the University of Glasgow.
The Maths Adviser and Co-ordinator of NUMBER provides mathematical advice to undergraduate students in all years of their programme. However, this advice is restricted to first year undergraduate level mathematics and statistics courses.
Staff
SLS staff liaise with University of Glasgow teaching staff to identify, develop and deliver in-course programmes on a variety of appropriate topics.
University management
The SLS is a constituent part of the Academic Development Unit of the Learning and Teaching Centre and provides activity reports to the Centre on an annual basis.
External commitments
Members of the SLS may occasionally participate in events outside the University of Glasgow for individual and historical reasons. Any such commitments are undertaken entirely at the discretion of the Service, and previous participation in any such events does not guarantee an ongoing commitment.
Confidentiality
The SLS operates within the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information
(Scotland) 2002 Act when processing and giving access to information. Personal information, (as defined by the DPA) about students is accessible only within the SLS. Personal information, including details of attendance, will not be available to anyone outside the service, including academic staff, without the express consent of the student. The only exceptions to this statement are:
• Where the member of staff has serious concerns about the wellbeing of the student.
• Where the member of staff perceives a third party could be at risk.
• Where the member of staff would be liable to civil or criminal court procedure if the information were not disclosed.
• Where a member of staff believes she or he can presume a student’s implied consent to communication with members of other university services or academic staff in order to facilitate the student’s access to effective and integrated services.
In all cases consent to disclose information will be sought from the student if at all possible.
Any notes made by SLS staff about a student are as an aide memoire to help with on-going advice. All such notes are treated within the requirements of the aforementioned Data Protection and Freedom of Information Acts. Guidance for staff and students on the use of personal data is available from the Data Protection and Freedom of Information Office.
Statistical information is collected for each academic session and relates to usage of the service by students. Such data are anonymous.
The service aims to foster a secure environment in which students can discuss learning issues freely; observation and recording during workshops is therefore not normally permitted.
