Learning Center

What is tutoring?

According to City College of San Francisco the purpose of tutoring is to help students help themselves, or to assist or guide them to the point at which they become an independent learner, and thus no longer need a tutor.

What is a tutor?
A tutor is:	*A tutor is NOT:*
• An individual who gives specialized instruction	• A miracle worker • A homework machine • A substitute for an instructor

What are the expectations of a tutor?

You (the tutor)

Them (the tutee)

You are expected to be on time for your designated tutoring timeslot
You are not expected to know all the answers to every question all the time
If a tutee procrastinated throughout the semester, cramming with you
during finals week will not produce great results!

Tutoring is a two way street, one in which tutees should play a very active role.
Tutees are expected to be an active participant and contributor in their sessions.
Tutees should bring all relevant materials, including textbook, the syllabus, class notes, past papers, and past tests to tutoring sessions.

Tutees should come prepared by:

Attending class
Taking notes

Reading assignments
Trying homework problems

Information modified from Three Rivers Community College

What are the limitations of a peer tutor?

1.) Time. Peer tutors have schedules and these schedules have time constraints. It is important that you make sure that the tutee knows that you will only be available for a certain period of time. Also because students do not need appointments, there could be many other students in the lab that need your help as well. Therefore you must clarify that individual tutoring is not always available.

2.) Expertise. You are NOT expected to know how to solve every math problem presented. Approach the problem the best way you know how and be able to recognize when you cannot help the tutee any further. In this case refer the tutee to some one else (either another tutor or their instructor).

What are the benefits of peer tutoring?
Heightens sense of competency/adequacy in conforming to a new role Encourages higher levels of thinking Permits more advanced students to study below-level material without embarrassment Increases motivation to learn in order to maintain a new role Increases subject specific knowledge	Increases related general knowledge Increases understanding of subject area Improves attitude toward subject area Provides more empathy with students Increases ability to manage own learning and study strategies

What does peer tutoring offer for students?

Offers more individualized, systematic, structured learning experience
Provides greater congruence between teacher and learner, close role
model
Improves attitude toward subject area

Generates stronger effects than other individualized teaching strategies
Motivates self paced and self directed learning
Provides intensive practice for students who need it
Improves self instruction

How does peer tutoring benefit the college?
Increases opportunity to reinforce instruction Increases positive student interaction	Enhances measurable positive changes in attitudes towards teaching/learning for participants Facilitates ethnic and racial integration

Characteristics of a Good Tutor:
Intelligence alone does not indicate success as a tutor; but what kind of person, what kind of student you are, does. It takes a certain kind of person to be a good tutor. Some of the characteristics noticeable in a good tutor are:
A positive outlook: The belief that things can be changed through action A desire to help others: The willingness to become involved with people at first hand and in depth. Empathy: The ability to feel what another person is feeling An even disposition: Patience, gentleness understanding and fairness	An open mind: a willingness to accept other people and their point of view. Initiative: The ability to see what needs to be done and to do something about it Enthusiasm: A liking for your subject, and a wish to share it with others Reliability as a worker: punctual, dependable, steady

Summary of What Students Need:

Positive expectations
Mutual respect
Flexibility
Humor
Enthusiasm
"The Big Picture"
Organization
Effective communication

Acceptance that everyone makes mistakes
Applications/reasons for learning
Connections between new material and prior knowledge
The language of discipline
Thinking or wait time before answering
Separation of relevant from irrelevant information
Techniques for: time management, test taking, relaxing, studying, note taking, organizing, representing, and remembering concepts and their relationships.