Reporting to the Director, Arts and Science Online (ASO) and under the direction of the instructional team (consisting of lecture instructors and tutorial/grading instructors) the Program Associate facilitates the day-to-day operations of the blended and/or online iterations of Introduction to Statistics offered by the Faculty of Arts and Science. The Program Associate also assists in managing and long-term planning of the learning experience for students, providing ongoing course support and ensuring consistency in the quality of the educational experience among all Introductory Statistics learning labs and assessments.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Reviews the course learning objectives, and ensures that the assessment and instructional activities (online materials, text, quizzes, lectures and labs) are well organized are aligned with the learning objectives as set by the instructors.
• Manages and maintains a central database of course materials (quizzes, lab materials, rubrics and exam bank). Identifies and recommends opportunities to improve course effectiveness to the course coordinator, and manages the implementation of approved changes.
• Ensures a smooth learning experience for students: Collects, analyzes, monitors and reports on student expectations and satisfaction, and adjusts communication strategies as needed. Monitors and liaises with teaching team to ensure that course materials and assessments are revised and posted on time. Troubleshoot problems with online materials (onQ) as they arise.
• Monitors the course email and responds to student inquiries concerning course logistics. Passes along emails to instructors that are difficult situations or about course content.
• Acts as a resource for the teaching team, ensuring lab rooms are booked and configured properly, supplies are replenished, equipment is working and access to rooms, course materials and tools is in place for the teaching team.
• Provide administrative support. This includes but is not limited to: coordinating with undergraduate and graduate offices in the associated departments to plan for enrolments targets and teaching assistantship allocations, coordinating with the Registrar’s Office to timetable the different sections, administering the software platforms used for in-class Q&A (e.g., TopHat) and grading (e.g., Crowdmark).

• Ensures that the gradebooks for the course are up-to-date and accurate, and that grade data across technical platforms is accurately translated into the Learning Management System (LMS) gradebook.
• Manages general course logistics, using independent judgement to develop administrative procedures and best practices.
• Works within the Learning Management System (LMS) to update content and assessments, develop course communications, and troubleshoot technical issues.
• Acts as the primary course contact and liaison for inter-disciplinary faculty as needed.
• Tracks and implements academic accommodations and regrading requests; modifying timing restrictions on quizzes and exams for student with QSAS documentation.
• Assists with the annual course budget; administers and monitors expenditures against the approved budget
• Oversees the coordination of the Teaching Assistant team including assignment of people to tutorial time-slots, scheduling the grading of assessments, and managing the workflow for re-grades.
• Responds to student enquiries or redirect students to the appropriate teaching team member on an ongoing basis.
• Provides input in the development of innovative solutions and technologies to instructional challenges.
• Collaborates with teaching team on the creation of course content, including but not limited to updating and creating HTML code, course components, activities, content, videos, gradebooks, etc., within the LMS.
• Comprehensive technical testing and proofing of all course components in the LMS to ensure courses are ready for the start of each term.
• Undertake other duties as assigned in support of the unit.

SPECIAL SKILLS:

• Respects diversity and promotes inclusion in the workplace.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, with an appreciation for implications of errors.
• Ability to learn and adapt to emerging technology and computer software (e.g. CrowdMark, TopHat).
• Familiarity with blended learning and course design principles.
• Organizational, problem-solving, planning, and analytical skills. Judgment in choosing best protocols or procedures to meet changing needs.
• Interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written) to effectively interact with students, staff, departments, and outside agencies. Ability to collate and analyze data and generate a coherent, concise report. Facility for information sharing between faculty and other stakeholders on campus.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and make accommodations on an independent basis, while keeping within the guidelines and goals of the course(s) for which the incumbent is responsible.
• Ability to prioritize tasks within time constraints; set schedules to ensure timely completion of projects, assess progress and adapt priorities as necessary. Manage high volume of tasks with competing deadlines and stakeholders.
• Ability to handle highly confidential information in an appropriate manner

DECISION MAKING:

• Under the course coordinators’ guidance, the incumbent makes decisions regarding best practices for administering the course logistics, workflow and communication with the larger teaching team.
• Responds to student requests for support, escalating or redirecting to others as appropriate.
• Recommends new procedures and changes to existing procedures in order to positively impact course operation and to avoid future difficulties.
• Determines whether course materials are working well, in consultation with relevant subject matter experts.
• Make recommendations regarding the course budget to best manage the courses’ financial resources.
• Make decisions regarding best practices for communicating with students to maintain and improve the cohesiveness of the course from a student’s perspective.