Re: other tutoring

[Barbara Biasiolli <barblac@stmarytx.edu>]

Steve, 

Yes, tutor training in our center is integrated at the beginning of the
year.  We do a day long training workshop, using the UCLA videos, role
playing, and lots of good discussion to convey the center's philosophy about
learning and the interpersonal skills needed for good tutoring.  All of our
role-playing scenarios come from actual situations that have occurred in the
center over the years.  The way the disciplines are integrated is that math
tutors take pretend papers to writing tutors and writing tutors discuss
problem math or science courses with the science tutors.  The interactions
are always lively and the principles conveyed seem to be transferrable?
across disciplines. 

After that initial marathon, writing tutors meet at least once a month for
ongoing training.  We often invite different faculty members to focus on
specific writing areas. Of course, I tutor in the Writing Center myself so I
can get a feel for the current issues that come up and I try to bring
writing tutors in for one on one chats whenever an opportunity comes up. I
always feel that I am not doing enough training and would love to give it
more time and attention.  

I think where I put my strongest effort is hiring the right people in the
first place.  If you start with great material, get them off to a good
start, then the on the job training and experience will have to do until
time and resources provide a more thorough process.  

Probably one of best monthly sessions is when tutors bring their own papers
in progress and tutor each other.  They are always amazed at how many
different ways there to skin the same cat.

Hope this helps.

At 08:42 AM 1/9/97 -0600, you wrote:
>Barbara,
>
>I'm wondering if you or others have integrated to any degree the training of
>peer writing tutors and peer tutors in other disciplines? If so, how?
>
>
>Steve Davis, Director
>Academic Development and Support Center
>Scoville 203; 646-4015
>sdavis@carleton.edu
Barbara Biasiolli (barblac@stmarytx.edu)
Learning Assistance Center
St. Mary's University
San Antonio, TX 78228-8554