Tutorial Sessions
How are tutorials being given this year?
You will receive in-person teaching for MAS110 tutorials this year.
The remainder of your mathematics courses will have online, live tutorials. These tutorials will be timetabled, and delivered through Blackboard Collaborate, which is accessible through your module page on Blackboard.
For an introduction to using Blackboard, and changing your settings to suit your needs, see the video and pages here [https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/apse/digital/mole/studenthelphome].
For an introduction to use Blackboard Collaborate, see the pages here [https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/apse/digital/collaborate/students]. In particular, note that you can trial entering a Collaborate room at the link [https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/apse/digital/collaborate/testroom] to test out the interface.
Please join sessions using your full name, and we also recommend that you set a profile picture for yourself, and this will become a default each time you join a session.
See this page for more information and tips for studying online [https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/301/study-skills/everyday-skills/remote-study ].
What are tutorials used for?
For most SoMaS courses regular (often weekly) coursework is set. Some of this may be for in-course assessment, but much of it is to help you understand the material that is being taught and to enable you to learn skills needed for using and developing the new ideas that you meet.
You will usually receive feedback on coursework during Problems Classes/Tutorials. The detailed arrangements for handing in coursework for marking will vary over modules; you will be told about them at the start of each new course.
Making the most of tutorials
Arrive early: aim to arrive in-person or be logged in and online at least 5 minutes before the session. This way you can work out any audio or connectivity issues before the session starts and can organise your study materials. Have your course materials with you.
Prepare in advance: Give yourself enough time (include it in your own timetable) to read through the lecture notes and try the set exercises before the class.
Make notes of points you do not understand: Think about what you would like help with before the session starts.
Don’t try to multitask: Close down other tabs and put your phone away.
Mute your mic and use the raise hand feature to ask a question. Do not switch on your mic to speak unless invited to, or a tutor has told you it’s fine to do so.
Remember text chat can move quickly in large classes, and tutors may not have immediately seen your message while presenting, so be patient for replies.
Do ask for help! Tutors are there to help you and if you have not understood something, it's very likely other students are thinking the same also!
Office Hours
Each of your courses will include a weekly office hour, where you are able to get individual help and guidance from your lecturer. You can find out when the office hours are, and arrangements for them, on your course Blackboard page. Your lecturers will likely use Google Hangouts (Meet) for this, with bookable calendar slots.
Ways to access this calendar should be given in your course Blackboard page. Once you've booked a slot, your Google calendar will include the joining link for the meeting. You can also find out more about Hangouts here [https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/it-services/google/meet].