Peer Tutoring
As a student completes courses to fulfill the distribution requirement,
he/she may find that they are not adequately prepared or lack
aptitude for the required discipline. Tutors are available to assist
students experiencing such difficulty.
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 learn 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 are available from the Adminstrative Assistant
for Advising in Biddle House, and in the office on the first floor
of Bosler Hall. For information concerning tutoring, contact Academic Advising, ext. 1080 or tutoring@dickinson.edu.
How to Obtain a Peer Tutor
A student who is experiencing difficulties in a course should first talk with his/her professor about what study resources are available. The 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 and 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.
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, available at the Advising desk in Biddle House. Two different forms are used for tutors requests -- one for foreign languages and another for all other subjects. Forms to request a Peer tutor for foreign languages are also available in the language offices in Bosler.
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 courses 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 Offce 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.
10-13-08
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Academic Advising
Dickinson College
P.O. Box 1773, Carlisle, PA 17013-2896
717-245-1080
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Dickinson College, PO Box 1773, Carlisle, PA 17013
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