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Graduate-Level Peer Tutoring: Unique Benefits, Unique Considerations

Graduate-Level Peer Tutoring: Unique Benefits, Unique Considerations. Jen Welch, M.A. Tutor Coordinator Student Academic Success Center University of New England Portland, ME.

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Graduate-Level Peer Tutoring: Unique Benefits, Unique Considerations

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  1. Graduate-Level Peer Tutoring:Unique Benefits, Unique Considerations Jen Welch, M.A. Tutor Coordinator Student Academic Success Center University of New England Portland, ME

  2. About UNE:Undergraduate Campus:  4247 students, 32 peer tutors Content tutoring and writing supportGraduate Campus:College of Osteopathic MedicineCollege of Health Professions (MNA, OT, PA, PT)College of PharmacyCollege of Dental Medicine 4016 students, 34 peer tutors  Content tutoring and writing support

  3. Graduate Campus SASC Staff:Director Graduate Campus SASC Coordinator Learning Specialist (also TESOL) Tutor Coordinator 34 Graduate Student Peer Tutors Front Desk Manager and 4 Student Workers

  4. SASC Staff, Graduate Campus

  5. What SASC offers:

  6. What SASC offers:Content tutoringBy-appointment hours (max 2 ppl)Drop-in hours (uncapped) Writing Support appointments (1-on-1) Learning Specialist appointments (1-on-1) Supplemental Instruction for historically challenging courses Staff- and Tutor-Led Workshops Open study space for individuals and groups Physical resources

  7. Space for Individual and Group Studying

  8. Physical Resources: Course Texts, Flashcards, 3-D Models, etc.

  9. Characteristics of Graduate Student Learning/Learners – What I’ve Observed: Often must reevaluate previous study and learning strategies Simultaneously learning the “forest” and the “trees” Negotiating learning that is coming from multiple sources Internally motivated by life goal/personal plan Desire to apply material skillfully, not just pass Bring wider life experience to the table

  10. Why so few graduate-level peer tutoring programs?Perception-Based Challenges: 1. The “deficit model” and “gate-keeping” 2. Students’ internalization of misperceptions

  11. "I have not witnessed it myself, but I understand what the skepticism can be. Some people feel graduate students should be knowledgeable enough not to need tutoring. But graduate school covers a vast array of material in a short time. You should not be ashamed to use any resource that will help you succeed." --Second-year COM tutor

  12. "Med students are high performers, and some people within the cohort very quickly judge others who are struggling. The reality is that med school is a different beast and people need help to figure it out." --Second-year COM tutor "I think graduate students perhaps have a harder time asking for help." --Second-year Physical Therapy tutor

  13. Why so few graduate-level peer tutoring programs?Perception-Based Challenges: 1. The “deficit model” and “gatekeeping” 2. Students’ internalization of misperceptions 3. Programs’ preference to handle academic support internally and independently

  14. What I do to counter perception-based challenges: Educate at every opportunity Tutors spearhead publicity and outreach Maximize our program’s level of professionalism  Campus positioning can help Talk with programs about what SASC can offer

  15. Benefits of Peer TutoringFor students:Novice--->Tutor----------------->Expert

  16. Benefits of Peer TutoringFor students:Different ways to experience the material; multimodal learning. Not just….

  17. Physical Therapy Drop-in Tutoring

  18. Osteopathic Medical Knowledge Drop-in Tutoring

  19. Dental Medicine Student Tutoring Dental Hygiene Student in Anatomy

  20. Tutor Co-facilitating the Pharmacy PREP Workshop

  21. PT Students Practicing Hands-on Skills at SASC

  22. … and in the PT Skills Lab

  23. Benefits of peer tutoring, according to peer tutors:“Camaraderie between different years of the program”“Communication! Tutoring is all about understanding the student perspective: What do they already know? Need to know? How can I explain something better? All these skills will help me better listen to and communicate to my future patients”

  24. “Increasing my own knowledge”“Building connections and being able to look at the information from different perspectives”“Learning to create new trusting relationships quickly”“Tutors have a larger role at UNE than just tutoring. They are there to give advice and guide students on how to become more self-sufficient in studying on their own”

  25. The “Real” Challenges…. Overcome Logistical Problems Address Psychological Realities within the Graduate Population Maintain SASC’s Institutional Value

  26. Actual Challenges:1. Complexity of graduate students’ lives affects free time and scheduling

  27. Actual Challenges:1. Complexity of graduate students’ lives affects free time and scheduling2. Stress resulting from higher stakes

  28. Actual Challenges:1. Complexity of graduate students’ lives affects free time and scheduling2. Stress resulting from higher stakes3. Short-term (or nonexistent) tutor availability

  29. Actual Challenges:1. Complexity of graduate students’ lives affects free time and scheduling2. Stress resulting from higher stakes3. Short-term (or nonexistent) tutor availability4. Needing to justify SASC’s existence, to ensure continued funding

  30. How I Responded:1. Complexity of graduate students’ lives affects free time and scheduling Some tutors schedule month-to-month  Tutoring Request forms  Weekend sessions  Convenient tutoring spaces

  31. How I Responded:2. Stress resulting from higher stakes Tutor empathy, active listening  Tutor referral skills  Frequent communication with our partners in student support Intentionally building community with….

  32. Welcoming space for Group Study

  33. SASC Ice Cream Socials

  34. SASC Ice Cream Socials

  35. Stress Relief Week: Popcorn and Ping-Pong

  36. Stress Relief Week: Popcorn and Ping-Pong

  37. #UNEWrites in the Campus Library Cafe

  38. How I Responded:3. Short-term (or nonexistent) tutor availability Interdisciplinary tutoring

  39. “I have tutored the Dental and PA Anatomy students. There is a slight disconnect because their programs cover different material in different detail from what I experienced in COM. But that is all easy to figure out after a few tutoring sessions. I personally really enjoyed tutoring the students. I think it is beneficial to work with students from other Health Care specialties, since one day I will be working with them in a hospital.” --Second-year COM tutor

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