Learning support community – ideal academic playground for IT students of Dai Nam University

“Learning support community” – a name that is still quite unfamiliar to students at universities and academies. However, at the Faculty of Information Technology (IT) of Dai Nam University, that name has become familiar and the number of members in the community is increasing day by day. In particular, this learning model has been and is making an important contribution to the development of the learning and research movement, improving the training quality of the faculty.

What is a learning support community?

The learning support community is an “organization” that gathers students who want to exchange, share, and support each other with information related to learning and scientific research content. Good students want to use their learning ability to help weaker students. Weak students want to be “tutored” by teachers and friends to consolidate their knowledge and make more progress in their studies.

In addition, the Learning Support Community of the Faculty of Information Technology, Dai Nam University also has the participation of the Scientific Advisory Council, the Faculty's Board of Directors and highly qualified lecturers to support students during their studies at the school.

In the IT Faculty's Learning Support Community, lecturers are called lecturers in charge, good students are called teaching assistants, and students who want support are students.

Why establish a Learning Support Community?

Sharing the reason for establishing the Learning Support Community, MSc. Pham Thi To Nga - Deputy Head of the Faculty of Information Technology said: "The number of students studying at the Faculty of Information Technology is increasing in quantity and quality. Students have a great need to share and support each other in learning, scientific research and need a cohesive and innovative learning environment..."

The IT learning support community aims to develop learning capabilities for all participants.

Accordingly, the Learning Support Community has the function of organizing, managing, and coordinating learning support activities for all students studying at the faculty; ensuring that student learning support activities take place for the right purpose and in accordance with school regulations; helping to improve the quality of student learning; creating a good impression in the community about student learning activities as well as the school's training activities..."

How does the IT department's learning support community work?

The learning support community at the Faculty of Information Technology operates on a semester basis, parallel to the school's regular academic semesters.

At the beginning of each semester, all students in the faculty will be registered to join the Learning Support Community as "Assistant Lecturer" or "Student" according to the subject groups in the teaching plan of that semester managed by the Faculty of Information Technology.

Based on the number of registered members of each subject group, the Faculty of Information Technology creates support groups for each subject based on the following principles:

- For subject A, to establish a "Subject A Support Group", there must be at least 01 student registered and qualified as a "Teaching Assistant" and at least 05 students registered as "Students" of that subject.

- Each support group consists of 01 "Assistant Instructor" and at least 05 "Students".

- Arrange 01 "Lecturer in charge" to support the group with professional issues during activities.

With support groups established, each member of the group has a specific role and responsibilities and operates according to a built “Assistant Teaching” schedule.

Duties of the “Assistant Lecturer”: Plan to support the group from the beginning of the semester until the final exam of the subject; correct assignments; answer questions and urge the “Students” in the group to actively participate in studying, the ultimate goal is to help the “Students” in their group improve their learning outcomes and achieve high results in the subject (The first exam results of the “Students” in the group will be used to evaluate the level of task completion of the “Assistant Lecturer”).

Duties of “Student”: Fully participate in the support sessions scheduled by “Assistant Lecturer”; seriously carry out the requirements of “Assistant Lecturer” on matters related to the subject.

“In-charge Lecturer”: Provides support regarding curriculum and learning materials as well as answers major questions in the subject upon request from “Assistant Lecturer” or “Student”.

After the subjects are finished, the “Assistant Lecturer” of each group will report on the results of their group's activities, including: Exam results and community participation of each “Student” in the group.

“In charge lecturer” based on the group's performance:

Evaluate the task completion level of the "Assistant Lecturer", propose appropriate forms of reward for the "Assistant Lecturer".

There is a form of commendation or warning to the "Students"

Declare the end of the group's support activities during the term of the respective semester.

How the “Learning Support Community” Works

What benefits do students get when participating in the Learning Support Community?

For “Students”: You will be cared for and supported in your studies by excellent students in the faculty, wholeheartedly and especially for free. Your studies will be accompanied by a community with enough capacity and responsibility, ensuring your progress in your studies.

For “Assistant Teachers”: Based on the results of the “Support Group” you are in charge of, you will receive the following worthy rewards:

Certificate of membership of "IT Faculty Learning Support Community".

Priority in reviewing and approving graduation projects.

Award final bonus points to students who are eligible for rewards according to the faculty's regulations.