There are numerous ways for preceptors to benefit your (in person and online) courses. Some common ways are:
Study groups
- Preceptors can host group exam reviews, which facilitate discussion and allow for collaborative learning
- They may also host regular, weekly study sessions for students to be able to study in small, collaborative groups
- Act as outreach to students who are missing assignments or absent
Workshops
- Preceptors could put on various workshops for skills such as time management, note taking, or close reading
- Workshops can also be for writing, covering topics like thesis-building or plagiarism, as well as sessions dedicated to peer-editing or citations
Office hours
- Additional office hours could be held by preceptors, allowing for peer mentoring through one-on-one interaction for students who struggle with the material (in person and via Zoom)
Web resources
- Post content and announcements to D2L
- By setting up/running social media for the course or assisting with D2L content, preceptors can increase the amount of communication and engagement within the course
- Create and manage a private Facebook group, Slack, or other social media course webpage (post replies and moderate online discussions)
In-class activities
- Preceptors may act as:
- Discussion leaders, either for the entire class or in small groups
- Facilitators for activities
- Aids during presentations, displays, or demonstrations
- Brainstorming with preceptors could offer useful insight to make classtime more engaging and effective
Out-of-class activities
- Though less common, preceptors may also be utilized for related out-of-class activities, such as:
- Assist in community events (e.g. Race for the Cure)
- Community outreach
- Service learning
- Assist instructors with research activities
Grading and Course Development
- For preceptors who are assisting with a class they have previously taken: Assist with grading assignments (reminder: complete FERPA training prior to assisting with grades)
- For online courses: Act as a student committee and regularly meet on how to improve the course's online facilitation
The exact details of your preceptor's duties are decided between you and that student, so it's important to discuss it beforehand so that both parties are clear on the expectations. Preceptors aren't limited to just these responsibilities - with a bit of imagination, there can be countless possibilities for preceptors to enhance your course!