Peer Tutors are available to assist students experiencing difficulty in selected courses.
The tutoring relationship offers a unique opportunity to meet the individual needs of the student. This is particularly helpful when a course requires knowledge of material from previous courses.
The goal of tutoring is to teach the student how to learn in the discipline. Students receiving tutoring can expect to expand their knowledge of ways to review and practice what they are learning using their particular learning style. The tutor is meant to supplement what is being taught in the classroom, not replace the professor. Tutors are required to collaborate with the class instructor.
Applications to request a tutor must be made on the Request for a Peer Tutor form, which is available from the Adminstrative Assistant for Advising in Biddle House, from one of the language offices on the first floor of Bosler Hall, and from the Registrar's Office (see the carousel containing forms on the first floor of Biddle House). For information concerning tutoring, contact Academic Advising, ext. 1080 or tutoring@dickinson.edu.
Peer Tutoring at Dickinson
A student who is experiencing difficulties in a course should first talk with his/her professor about what study resources are available 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.
Tutoring for all academic departments is coordinated through the Advising Office. Although potential Peer Tutors are identified by academic departments, the Advising Office contracts, pays, 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.
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 few requests for peer tutoring can be honored 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 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 welcome 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 will be checked prior to hiring a student to become a Peer Tutor.
Additional Remarks
The Peer Tutoring Program is an academic support system primarily focused on courses at the 100-level. 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 245-1080 or send an email to: tutoring@dickinson.edu.
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Academic Advising
Dickinson College
P.O. Box 1773, Carlisle, PA 17013-2896
717-245-1080
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