Re: other tutoring

[Stephen Newmann <newmann@msmary.edu>]

Lynnell,  Last semester I was asked to "research" what some of our sister
institutions (schools with profiles similar to our own) were doing
regarding peer tutoring and then to propose a peer tutoring system for us
at msm to replace what we've been doing for the past 10 or 12 years here.
I found a range of "systems" that spanned doing nothing with regard to
peer tutoring to fully coordinated programs that involved on-going
training and careful tutor selection.  What I have proposed for msm and
will begin to set in place next week is a system that has two main
components--1.  one-on-one tutoring and 2.  small group tutoring that is
scheduled and accepts "walk-ins'.  I will interview each tutor and will
provide some "basic" training for this first term under the new structure
and will adjust the selection and training components as needed from now
on.  We have an excellent writing center here (I'm just one of the faculty
who tutors in it) and I will use our system of selection and training in
the writing center as a model for what I will do in peer tutoring.  If I
can provide you with any more information please let me know.  :)  If you
can figure out who I am.  I'm having a little trouble with that these
days.

			  stephen newmann
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 *====================================================================*
 |   Stephen Newmann                                                  |
 |   Department of Rhetoric & Writing     VOICE: (301) 447-5367       |
 |   Mount Saint Mary's College           E-MAIL: NEWMANN@MSMARY.EDU  |
 |   Emmitsburg, Maryland USA 21727-7799                              |
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p.s.  Do you know my very good friend, jon olson?  He directs the w.c. at
OSU.


On Mon, 6 Jan 1997 Kynell@aol.com wrote:

> 
> I don't know how many of us are back in school, and hence actively
> reading/participating on the list (except of course,  ste(ph)ven newman(s).)
>  However, I have question about an issue that is always a hassle (at this
> point) at the beginning of the term: academic tutors for students in their
> "content" courses.  By default, in addition to running the writing center, I
> also co-ordinate the academic peer tutors for Concordia.  Currently, I'm
> mostly just a "matchmaker;"  I pull together a "yellow pages" of sorts of
> peer tutors in different subjects along with information about how students
> can reach them.  
> 
> I ask that the tutors fill out a session report each time they meet and they
> make a copy of the report available for faculty who request/require it.
>  That's about it.  It's not a bad system for hooking up students with tutors,
> but I'm not sure it's always that effective or that any great tutoring is
> going on.  I don't particularly want to "shepherd" this group as closely as I
> work with the writing center crew, but I would like a better sense of their
> general activity and effectiveness. I was wondering if any other of you
> oversee academic tutors as part of your job and if you have any
> suggestions/advice about organizing/training peer tutors in content courses.
>  If this is not particularly writing center business, I'd be happy to chat
> off-list.  Thanks!
> 
> Lynnell Edwards
> Concordia University
> Portland, OR
>