Academic Assistance

PEER TUTOR FAQs  

What is Peer Tutoring?
Peer Tutoring is students helping other students. Peer Tutors are trained to assist students with mastering class content, reviewing, preparing for exams, and study skills. Tutors may work regular hours in the TAP Room or meet students by appointment. Tutors circulate among students in the TAP Room, perhaps to explain a problem or concept to one student or group, assign a similar problem, then move on.  Tutoring appointments are also scheduled with individuals or small groups of students. The primary purpose of all tutoring is to help students be successful in college.

How are Tutors selected?
To be eligible, students must have earned a cumulative 3.0 GPA, get a reference from an instructor, and complete a paid training course. Students must also have an A in the course they plan to tutor. 

What will I be required to do?
Peer Tutors are available to meet with students at regular times during the week—usually between 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM Monday through Thursdays. Friday and weekend hours are also available. Tutors choose hours that fit their own class schedules and may work anywhere from two to twenty hours per week. 

The job involves helping students with whatever gets in the way of academic success. In addition to assistance with class content, students may need help with managing study time, taking notes, using library resources, and so on. The Tutor's basic job is to be a helper. 

What does the training involve?
The training covers the student learning process, instructional strategies to improve students' academic performance, and group tutoring techniques. Tutors also meet periodically throughout the semester for additional training.

What should I expect from the Peer Tutor Supervisor?
In addition to providing the training, the Supervisor may observe tutoring sessions to assess the effectiveness of the tutor and provide additional assistance as needed. The Supervisor also collects payroll documentation to insure that tutors receive regular paychecks.

How much are Tutors paid?
Tutors are paid $9.50 per hour for undergraduates, $10.50 for bachelor's degree, and $11.50 for master's degree.

*SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION (SI) FAQs

What is Supplemental Instruction?
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a learning enhancement program designed to organize and improve the ways students prepare for class. SI is attached to courses to provide students with a systematic and disciplined approach for processing the course material assigned by the professor.

A student who has demonstrated proficiency in a targeted course is trained and assigned to the class. The SI leader attends the course to keep up with the course content being presented and to model effective student practices and attitudes. The SI leader schedules and conducts three to four group meetings a week at times convenient to members of the class. During these sessions, the SI leader uses collaborative learning strategies which encourage involvement, comprehension, and synthesis of course content. In addition, the SI leader will incorporate demonstrations of effective study techniques.

How are courses selected for SI?
SI targets historically difficult courses. In other words, these courses contain content that students consider challenging. SI is designed to support faculty teaching and is assigned to a course because of what is being taught, not because of how it's being taught.

What will I be required to do?
SI Leaders complete a ten-hour training program prior to the beginning of classes. They meet with the instructor and arrange to make a short presentation introducing SI on the first day of class. Enrolled students also complete a survey with the times they are available to attend SI sessions. The weekly schedule of sessions is announced at the second class meeting and all enrolled students are encouraged to attend. SI leaders conduct three to four of these group sessions each week, as well as extended sessions prior to exams. They also meet regularly with the SI Supervisor and with instructors as needed. The total time involvement for SI Leaders averages about nine hours per week throughout the semester.

What does the training involve?
The training covers the learning process, instructional strategies to improve students' academic performance, facilitating group activities, as well as data collection and other management details. SI is not traditional Q & A tutorial. Leaders plan each session to include activities designed to help students "learn how to learn" the content of the course. The training is primarily about how to prepare and conduct these sessions. SI leaders meet weekly throughout the semester for continued training.

What should I expect from the SI Supervisor?
In addition to providing the training, the SI Supervisor attends several classes and SI sessions during the first weeks of the semester to assess the effectiveness of the SI leader and provide additional assistance as needed. The SI Supervisor also collects payroll documentation to insure that SI leaders receive regular paychecks.

How much are SI Leaders paid?
SI leaders are paid $9.50 per hour.