'Tutors within courses"
While researching an article to respond to I wanted to find something that was fresh and had a similar but different perspective on some writing center resources. I came across an article posted on The Rambler that was titled "Writing Center Integrates Tutors within Courses" this title spoke to me and made me think of our S.I. Program. Similar to our S.I. program student tutors from the university writing center are placed in a specific course. For our program tutors are placed in English, History, and Psychology courses. For Transylvania University the tutor was placed in a First Year Research program. The students are being utilized in a different approach; which I found to be very interesting.
Our Writing Center uses our student tutors as a bridge between the student and teachers course. Our S.I.'s are used as student resource and a model student to help build and encourage good habits that can be applied to academic and everyday life. For Transylvania University the student tutor was slightly more proactive within the actual course. The student tutors for the university were being asked to give feedback and prospective on course syllabus and assignments. I thought this was great because who know's better about student life then an actual student! The professor said "Even things just like planning the syllabus, she understands student life demands way better than I ever will, specifically for Transy students." generally speaking I agree that sometimes professor's do forget that student life can be demanding so creating user friendly syllabuses are important for student understanding. I personally have gotten students that come in asking me to explain the assignment or syllabus; many times I look at them and get surprised myself at how dense they can be.
Something I didn't actually agree with is that student tutors weren't actually required to attend the class unless pertinent. I find that students love having their S.I. in class with them and during the labs. A level of comfort and reliability is important to connect and relate to the students; I feel like having the S.I. present has a very positive effect on our peers. Within article an important point was brought up and that was "...The benefit is going to be having a student talk to other students about the process and being able to tell them firsthand like ‘hey this has really helped me out.” this statement alone speaks a lot about our approach. Another point that was made was having a student tutor in class can help give students a bit of a voice to address concerns that students may have but are shy or afraid to address. The bridge concept is seen in the article but its definitely approached differently to fit their idea and demands.
Ultimately it goes on to say that having student tutors work with professor's is not only beneficial to the students, but to both the professors and the tutors. I love that it circled back to learning from one another and creating an environment that facilitates learning from one another.
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