Tutor Training

The Academic Learning Centre (ALC) offers tutor training throughout the year for both writing and content tutors. The training is typically offered in a six-hour workshop. Morning sessions draw on the text Master Tutor by Dr. Ross B. MacDonald (Cambridge Stratford Study Skills). The manual is complemented with other resources including tutor training videos and intercultural training resources.

Tutor Training sessions have been scheduled for the following dates:

Date	Time	Location
September 28, 2013 (register)	9:00-4:00pm	TBA
February 21, 2014	9:00-4:00pm	TBA

Workshop Agenda

9:00 - 10:30	Tutor Role & Tutor Cycle	This session is designed to help tutors reflect on the goals of tutoring and their roles as tutors. In this workshop, we also examine fundamental tutoring strategies that can help to maximize learning, such as modeling and scaffolding. Special attention is paid to strategies that facilitate learning but are sometimes missed in tutoring.
10:45-12:15	Intercultural Tutoring	Cultural backgrounds can affect student-tutor interaction and learning. This session offers the opportunity to explore some of the many factors involved in intercultural tutoring.
12:15-1:15	Lunch Break
1:15-4:00	Responding to Student Writing (subject to demand)	Who sets the agenda for a tutoring appointment focused on writing? When a student faces several challenges with a written assignment, what should take priority in the tutoring appointment? What approaches can a tutor take when responding to a student-written paper? This workshop will focus on setting priorities in a writing tutorial as well as strategies and resources for assisting students develop as writers in an academic context.
	OR
1:15-4:00	Content Tutoring	Helping students understand and apply concepts is often difficult. This workshop explains the learning process and provides some strategies that tutors can use when working with the students they tutor. In addition, tutors will find out how to help students read more strategically. Reading is often the under-identified area of skill required to learn the knowledge necessary to progress in a given course or discipline. A strategic approach can help to address this gap. Examples from math and science will be provided.

To register:   You can register by completing the following registration form. Please note that there is a $40.00 charge for the training. Payment can be processed by cash or cheque in 201 Tier. Registration and payment must be processed at least 7 days in advance of the training date in order to secure a space. Requests for refunds or deferrals must be made at least 5 days in advance of the training. We reserve the right to cancel training sessions if registration is limited. 

History of the UM Tutor Training Program

The ALC has been providing tutor training on the UM campus since spring 2004. Tutors from Disability Services, ACCESS programs, Aboriginal Focus Programs, the ALC Writing Tutor Program, Bison Sport Plus, Campus Life, U1 Mentorship Program have taken part in previous training sessions. In addition, individuals wishing to be listed on the UM Tutor Registry have participated in the program.

Benefits of Tutor Training

Although tutors often intuitively use effective strategies during their appointments, it is easy to get drawn into tutoring to a test or focusing on short-term rather than long-term improvement. Moreover, many tutors are not aware of the need to explicitly explain and model learning strategies and may be unaware of specific communication behaviours known to improve student learning. For these reasons, taking part in tutor training can significantly impact the way a tutor thinks and interacts with students. Investing time in tutor training will improve the overall quality of tutoring on campus.

Quotes from Participants

"Learning about metacognition in the math & sciences session was useful. It increased my awareness of thought processes."

"The most useful part of the intercultural session was the video. It was extremely enlightening - I had no idea that writing styles varied so much with culture."