By Ramya Krishna M.
The Peer Tutoring Center is a free service offered by NCVPS for the benefit of their students – all of you! After all, why should any student feel like a buoy in the middle of the ocean, in regards to their academics? As peer tutors we are here to offer you the benefits of our experience, whether from online courses, classroom courses, or intellectual curiosity. Whether you are a first timer or a returning customer, it’s important to us and to you that the help you receive is actually beneficial. None of us want you leaving a session dissatisfied or more confused than you were before. This article is meant to help you prevent such problems before they start by making the most of your Peer Tutoring Session.
Start by preparing ahead. Before you begin hyperventilating, ask yourself what exactly you need help with. All of us have had that class where we reach that point of being overwhelmed, but in order to seek help, we must target the areas that plague us the most. For example, instead of simply saying, “I need help with pre-calculus”, ask for help with specific concepts, such as functions or trigonometry. That way, we can target our assistance to fit your needs. However, be smart about what you ask your tutors. It's not impossible to figure out when you're asking us test questions, which are meant to test your knowledge, not ours. Plagiarism (taking someone else's words as your own) is also academic dishonesty and both will merit disclosure to your teacher. Just don't do it.
Active participation will allow you to retain the information you have studied with your tutor. Make an effort to understand the assignment or concept instead of seeking a speedy answer, especially when you have to build on this knowledge throughout the course. Figure out what teaching styles and methods suit your learning style best, either through experience or numerous online quizzes like this one: (http://www.personal.psu.edu/bxb11/LSI/LSI.htm) and inform your tutor. Help us help you. You should be taking detailed notes as you go through a session with a peer tutor. You don't want to exit a session and go back to your assignment, only to realize that you don't remember what your tutor said.
Suppose you are a particularly astute learner who has caught your tutor making a mistake. Don't let us get away with it. Instead, politely inform us of our error. We strive to always give you the correct information, but we're human too. I don't say this to make you paranoid, but it's a reminder to keep your eyes open.
Understandably, you may be feeling frustrated when you don't get the material. Don't succumb to this frustration, even when it is hard. Keep asking questions to your tutor, don't be too worried about holding us up. We want to help you! If your tutor can't help you, don't stop looking until you find someone who can. It may seem daunting to ask for assistance, but it is absolutely worth it.
Ramya, I'm so impressed with the information you have put together in the "Making the Most of Your Peer Tutoring Session" article. We are fortunate to have such a talented student as yourself working with the PTC. I hope that your experience as the editor of Tutor Talk is rewarding for you. I can't wait to read the articles you come up with. Keep up the GREAT work. What a way to get us started this semester.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Ms. Creech!
DeleteThis is helpful information which will come in handy pertaining to tutor. The PTC information allows me to see that NCVPS is just as concern about my success than just taking the course. Having a tutor available serves as a link in the course process that serve to motivate and encourage my success in the course.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to hear that Shaughn! I feel that NCVPS has the atmosphere and the care for the success of its students similar to that of a very small school, and I think this is what makes many of its students so successful.
DeleteYou seem to be a Peer Tutor at heart and willing to be of the most help to students that seem to be struggling. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteGreat encouraging words - something that EVERY student can use!! I am encouraged by just reading your blog!! Great job!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! As a teacher it is difficult to really help a student if we don't know what they need help with. I love that you encourage students to ask for help and the best way to do so is to isolate where the help is needed!
ReplyDeleteThis information is really helpful to students who may not feel confident in asking for help, and it is helpful to those who want to quit due to frustration.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great article for students seeking help through the PTC. I really like how Ramya tells the student to prepare questions before coming to get help. There have been so many times students have walked into my classroom and asked for help. And when I ask what they need help with, they just say "Latin." It is hard to tutor students, when you don't know what they are having problems with. I also like how she says for the students not to look for quick answer; if they really want to learn the material they must be engaged.
ReplyDeleteGreat information for students looking for additional help. One of the most important tools for students to learn is how to advocate for themselves, so Ramya's advice about figuring out what topics cause problems is huge! It allows the peer tutor to really focus in on the help needed.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you brought up the effectiveness of studying and knowing if the method works for you! I also LOVE that the peer tutoring center is a resource to students who are frustrated but that you included a GREAT point... come with a question in mind. Ask yourself "What don't I understand?" and prepare the answer so that the tutor is able to help you with this topic. It is hard as a tutor and teacher to help someone who isn't willing to find their weaknesses first. I need help with everything is not a task a tutor or teacher can help you with. Hone in on the major problem!
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