Open Learning Faculty Member (Web): BIOL 4141: Evolution

DUTIES

Students examine central concepts in the contemporary theory of evolution, such as variation, descent, natural selection, adaptation, speciation, and extinction on both micro- and macro-evolutionary scales.

Emphasis is placed on presentation of changes in evolutionary thinking and discussion of how the current theory of evolution developed from the time of the Greek philosophers to modern evolutionary synthesis.

This historical approach addresses scientific theories, which are first proposed and then continuously modified to accommodate new findings.

Students’ major projects consist of independent research into current controversies surrounding evolutionary theory. Topics include origins of living systems, species and their origins and extinctions, adaptation and constraints, systematics, and evolutionary ethics.

Open Learning Faculty Members are teaching staff in the Open Learning division of TRU, and the role of the Open Learning Faculty Member is to actively encourage, support and guide students toward success in their academic studies.

Open Learning Faculty Members must be skilled in teaching, fully knowledgeable of the subject matter and demonstrate a positive, open and caring attitude in all interaction with students.

Responsibilities of the Open Learning Faculty Member (Web) include but are not limited to :

• Administrative set up and record keeping
• Initiating and maintaining regular contact with the student as specified in the collective agreement
• Responding to all student queries by phone, e-mail or other method as appropriate within the time frame outlined in the collective agreement.
• Marking all assignments, posting results, and providing prompt feedback
• Marking exams and posting results

We anticipate 145 - 155 students in this course per year. These numbers are only estimates and actual numbers for the course may be greater or less than the estimated numbers.

QUALIFICATIONS

We are looking for candidates with a PhD in a relevant discipline, significant recent academic experience in the specific subject areas of the courses, and documented excellence in helping students achieve their goals.

In addition to excellent verbal and written communication skills, the preferred candidates will have demonstrated skills and abilities in distance education.

The Open Learning Faculty Member must :

• Be knowledgeable and experienced in the subject matter of the course
• Have received training or have successful experience in the active facilitation of learning in a collaborative online environment
• Have direct experience working with current educational technologies, tools and Learning Management Systems
• Have demonstrated knowledge of effective pedagogy in the use of current educational technology and tools
• Have demonstrated skills and abilities in the delivery of flexible learning materials, the application of instructional technology and in the application of adult learning principles

The pay for Open Learning Faculty Members varies based on several factors including the number of students in the course, the type of work, the type of course and the number of assessments completed by students in the course.

The total pay includes amounts based on hourly rates as well as set dollar amounts for certain types of work. For more information, please refer to the TRU / TRUOLFA Collective Agreement : Agreement 2019