Introduction
A student who is
experiencing difficulties in a course should first talk with his/her professor
about what study resources are available for that course within the department.
Students are expected to take advantage of any group study sessions and all
other course-related resources available through the academic department prior
to requesting a peer tutor. The Peer Tutoring Program is an academic support
system primarily focused on courses at the 100-level. In general, two hours
of tutoring per week will be provided per course with consideration of
additional hours, at the request of the professor.
Tutoring for all
academic departments is now coordinated through the Advising Office.
Although potential Peer Tutors are identified by academic departments, the
Advising Office contracts, pays, trains and provides general administrative
supervision for the program. Each professor (who has requested peer tutoring
for a student) is asked to maintain contact with the Peer Tutors for their
students so that clear direction for content of the tutoring can be
communicated on a regular basis. As appropriate, departments are encouraged
to also offer group study sessions for courses that have experienced high
demand for tutoring.
Requesting a Peer Tutor
With the professor's
recommendation, Peer Tutors are available for a variety of courses. To formally
request a tutor, the student needs the professor's signature on the Request
for a Peer Tutor form, available at the Biddle House. Forms are also
available in the language offices in Bosler.
All
completed forms for tutoring should be returned promptly with a professor's
signature to the Academic Advising Office in Biddle House. Priority is given
to students who return the form prior to the fifth week of classes, due to
the increasing demand for several subjects. In general, because honoring
requests for peer tutoring is more challenging after Roll Call, students are
encouraged to speak with their professors about their difficulties as early
in the semester as possible. Except in special circumstances, peer tutors are
generally not assigned after the last date of course withdrawal.
Becoming a Peer Tutor
Students interested in
becoming a tutor must be recommended by a professor of the course (or
appropriate academic department chair) and will have successfully completed
courses in the subject matter. Tutors for all subjects will be hired and
trained by the Advising Office at the beginning of each semester. Effective
tutors are welcomed and encouraged to return as tutors for additional
semesters. Tutors are usually limited to accepting no more than four students
for tutoring in a given semester. Grades and references may be checked prior
to hiring a student to become a Peer Tutor.
Additional
Remarks
To ensure accountability and to develop a more efficient and
effective peer tutoring program, a Tutoring Session Report Form is required to
be completed and signed by both the tutor and tutee for each tutoring session.
Feedback for sessions will be provided as instructed by the professor of the
course.
The Advising Office welcomes faculty suggestions that will help
make the program more effective for professors, Peer Tutors and the students
who participate in this program. For additional information about the Peer
Tutoring Program, please call x1080 or send an email to: tutoring@dickinson.edu.
02-24-13
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Academic Advising
Dickinson College
P.O. Box 1773, Carlisle, PA 17013-2896
717-245-1080
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