Tutoring Services Celebrates 6 Years!
By Kristin Scott, Assistant Director,
Academic Achievement and Access Center
This year Tutoring Services is celebrating its sixth year of operation here at the University of Kansas. Since it began in the Fall 2000, it has offered quality peer-tutoring for challenging entry-level courses at a reasonable cost.
This semester, Tutoring Services plans to offer more than 50 groups in a variety of courses in a number of disciplines including Math, Spanish, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. We anticipate more than 200 students will request our services this semester. Tutor Groups
Tutor groups (2-4 students) meet twice a week(Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday) for one and one-half hours each session.The groups may meet in the mornings, afternoons, or evenings based upon tutor availability and student demand. Once the tutor group begins meeting, students will meet with the same tutor at the same time on the same days in the same location through the last week of classes. Consistency is one of the many positive aspects of this program!
Students may pre-enroll for specific courses prior to the start of the semester. For example, students were pre-enrolling for tutor groups in October or November for this semester. Now that the semester is underway, students may simply request tutor groups by going to the Tutoring Services website (http://www.tutoring.ku.edu) or completing a request form in 22 Strong Hall.
Once the request has been received, our staff will e-mail students with the details (time/day/location/etc.). Students have two sessions to determine whether or not they want to continue attending the sessions. If not, the student will not be billed. On the other hand, if the student is satisfied and wants to continue attending, a bill will be issued or a fee waiver will be processed.
Tutoring Services charges a fee in order to pay its tutors. Therefore, students are billed $100 for each tutor group each semester. This charge is minimal in cost compared to one-on-one tutoring by private tutors who charge from $10 to $35 per hour On the other hand, students who have a FAFSA on file through the Office of Student Financial Aid may be eligible for a fee waiver. In Tutoring Services students can expect that they will be matched with a tutor who can break down problems, clarify discuss, explain, and show. Charles Exdell, a Spanish Tutor and Program Assistant said, "Tutoring is all about the interactive experience: discussion, group problem solving, and taking a fresh and creative approach to every session."
Many students like the interactive approach to small group tutoring. Esther Hoang, a student who took Physics during the Fall Semester, said, "it is helpful . . . If I didn't have this tutor group I would be failing the class." Andrea Wolf, also in Physics, added, "It helps you get the concepts down" and Dustin Volz, a student who took a course in Math, said, "It gives you a general review."
Small-group tutoring is beneficial because it is large enough to allow group interaction but small enough so the students are not afraid to ask questions. Students learn from the questions posed by the tutor but they also learn based on the questions asked by their peers. Tutoring can be a win-win for everyone in a small group but it is not a substitute for attending class or meeting with the professor. It is geared toward students who need supplemental help in learning course material.
Tutoring Services hires full-time students who have been recommended by faculty Our tutors have excellent communication skills and have excelled in their academics (for more details, see the accompanying box).
Students apply to be tutors for a number of reasons including the enjoyment of helping other students learn. However, tutors may get additional benefits from the experience.Jessica Kimple,a Spanish Tutor and Program Assistant,said, "Tutoring really deepened my own understanding of Spanish.Having to go back and explain fundamental concepts that I learned helped to cement them in my brain and brought further clarification."
Tutors gain a deeper understanding of the course material but also like the small group atmosphere and the informal nature of operating one of these groups. For example, the students can ask their tutor questions about a concept and in turn ask how to effectively study for the upcoming exam. Although challenges may exist for a tutor, the positive aspects outweigh the negative and therefore the majority of tutors return semester after semester.
As of this month, tutoring will be available in more than 20 courses. Other courses may be offered depending upon student demand and there may be a need for more tutors in a variety of disciplines.
Tutoring Services promotes learning. As we celebrate the fifth year of the program, growth in the service continues. If you are interested in requesting a tutor, or in being a tutor, please access http://www.tutoring.ku.edu or stop by 22 Strong Hall.
Supportive Educational Services
Need additional help in one of your courses? Not sure of what to major in or what classes to take? Interested in receiving additional money for school? If so, you need to know about Supportive Educational Services (SES). SES at the University of Kansas is a federally funded TRIO program designed to assist those who are either first-generation college students, students with a documented disability, or students who meet certain low-income guidelines excel and succeed in a university setting. Our goal is to help eligible students obtain a baccalaureate degree. We accomplish this mission by providing a variety of services to the students in our program such as academic advising, financial aid, career and graduate school counseling, scholarship, computer assistance, cultural events, educational workshops, resource library, drop-in tutoring for math and writing, and course specific individualized tutoring. A current student describes SES as "a wonderful program and support in place for student success - a much needed and extremely sensible service for students."
As part of Academic Success Week, Supportive Educational Services will be holding its Academic Success Bash on Wednesday, September 21 from 4-6 pm in the Courtside Room in the Burge Union. The event will include lots of educational and fun games such as Jayhawk Walk, Study Skills Jeopardy, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire. In addition there will be lots of good food and prizes. If you think you might qualify for our program, stop by Academic Success Bash, have a good time, and meet current SES students, staff, and tutors. For further information, please contact us at 785-864-3971 or by email apexstudent@ku.edu. Our website is www.apex.ku.edu/ ses/. SES is located in Strong Hall, room 7.