Each year, about 125 student tutors guide peers through weekly sessions to help fellow students synthesize knowledge and transition from the memorization associated with high school learning to the question-based learning common in college.
Thanks to a partnership led by Marquette’s Student Educational Services, student tutors will benefit from an improved training program. In July, the program received certification from the College Reading and Learning Association’s International Tutor Training Program.
Student tutors participate in the new training this summer.
“By completing this training and then potentially creating training modules for future trainings allows tutors to practice teamwork skills, provide leadership opportunities and highlight CRLA ITTPC on their resumes and in job interviews,” says Dawn Barrett, associate director of tutoring programs.Beginning this fall, tutors will be required to complete 10 hours of training before the start of the semester. The majority of tutoring will be conducted by student tutors with the guidance of professional staff. Training will include topics like active listening, study skills and critical thinking. Tutors will also have opportunities to advance to “master” tutors if they seek additional training throughout the year.
With CRLA ITTPC, “Tutors will gain skills that follow the best practices and professional standards for learning assistance programs in higher education,” Barrett says.
“The model encourages students to work with their classroom material on a regular basis rather than trying to cram weeks’ worth of learning into a last minute study session,” says Karen Desotelle, director of the Office of Student Educational Services.
Of the 2000 students who take part in tutoring services, the majority are freshmen and sophomores. The Klingler College of Arts and Sciences has the largest numbers of students using tutoring services, but all colleges and grades participate in the program.
— Leah Harris