EMBEDDING TUTORING

The Learning Center’s Embedded Tutoring Program

The Learning Center's Embedded Tutoring Program provides faculty with the opportunity to integrate a student tutor seamlessly into their course, providing just-in-time support for their students. Embedded tutors are mentored by their instructors to provide academic support for the students in the instructor's sections. While they are not TAs who can help with grading, fetch laundry from the dry cleaners, or assume teaching responsibilities, embedded tutors provide synchronous and/or asynchronous tutoring and mentorship to students in your sections. It does require a time commitment on the part of the faculty mentor and the tutor, but survey data indicate faculty, tutors, and students value the program.

Faculty must find a prospective candidate from one of their classes. You want a compassionate, capable student who has the time, inclination, and interest to take on this work. Don't just look for A+ students; star students aren't always the best tutors. Some of our best tutors have been B+ students who care about learning and know how to engage peers in conversation! Most importantly, can you see yourself working with this student? This will be a close mentorship.

What is a tutor?

A tutor’s primary objective is to engage in a genuine dialog with students in which each party contributes meaningfully and equally to a mutually enriching conversation that challenges both the tutor and tutee to negotiate – on a regular basis – their understanding of each other’s expectations and goals and the outcomes of their collaboration. In this process, the tutor empowers the tutee to become an independent learner. This requires flexibility, creativity, and an appreciation for the benefits and potential outcomes of conflicting opinions. In short, tutors do not grade, proofread, or edit papers or homework; they enable maturing learners to make informed decisions about their own work.

Are there any restrictions?

Of course, common sense prevails here. The tutors may not do work for which you are being compensated (i.e. lecture, grading, etc.). They are not permitted to run errands for you; keep or access confidential student records, such as gradebooks, attendance rosters, or personal emails; and they cannot conduct formal evaluative or administrative functions not sanctioned by the college, such as student evaluation oversight.

What are the benefits for those getting tutored?

Help from experienced, top-of-their-class students (who excel in the area you teach and who know the expectations in specific courses)

What are the benefits for those who choose to tutor?

A part-time, higher-than-minimum wage job ($15.00/hr) that will fit into their schedules
Practice in the subject area or skill (one learns by teaching)
Valuable experience working with people (and a great entry for their resumes and college applications)

What are the benefits for the school when students come for tutoring?

Positive attendance
Higher retention rates, it is hoped
Positive student-to-student relationships

What are the requirements?

The Learning Center requires all tutors to meet certain criteria:

Have at least a 3.0 GPA (to ensure that tutoring does not compromise their educational pursuits)
Be recommended by an instructor
Receive an A/B in classes they wish to tutor
Observe one to two tutoring sessions
Be observed for a tutoring session
Complete a tutor training program

Why are students required to complete a tutor training seminar?

Even though students may have mastered a specific subject area, they will still need to develop other skills to ensure they will be effective tutors. The seminar (most of which is online) will teach tutors the following:

How to promote independent learning and set boundaries with students
How to be respectful of individual differences within students (including cultural)
How to recognize learning styles & possible learning obstacles and strategies to address those
How to motivate students
How to help students manage complex assignments
How to listen well and prioritize
Content-specific tips (for tutoring writing or math or science)
Business/work protocols and how to work in a team environment

To participate, faculty must recommend their student, have the prospective embedded tutor complete an application, and attend a required orientation.

FACULTY RECOMMEND STUDENT

PROSPECTIVE EMBEDDED TUTOR COMPLETE APPLICATION

Once your embedded tutor is in your class, you should plan regular meetings, observations, and mentoring.