Ideas and Resources for Tutoring Centers Alan Craig

Ideas and Resources for Tutoring Centers Alan Craig, Ed. D. Retired—Director, Learning & Tutoring Centers Georgia State University’s Perimeter College acraig 5@gsu. edu August 7, 2017 http: //sites. pc. gsu. edu/acraig/

Some Background • • AA Liberal Arts, Hillsborough CC BA/MA Mathematics, University of South FL Ed. D Developmental Education, Grambling State U Former Secretary and Treasurer of Ga. TA Past President, National College Learning Center Association NCLCA Lifetime Achievement Award NCLCA Representative on the Council of Learning Assistance and Developmental Education Associations • Evaluator - NCLCA Learning Centers of Excellence Program • LSCHE Content Editor and Webmaster • 23 Years Corporate IT – FORTRAN Programmer to CIO 2

Objectives of This Session • Provide a brief introduction to SWOT. • Share potential improvement ideas and resources as input to the SWOT process. 3

Dunwoody LTC Entrance 4

SWOT • SWOT: – Strengths – Weaknesses – Opportunities – Threats Strengths Weaknesses Internal Positive Opportunities Threats Negative External • Purpose: Get us thinking about internal and external factors that might impact the success of the AEC. 5

SWOT Internal Strengths • • • What are our unique resources? What do well? What do others see as our strengths? • • • Weaknesses What could we improve? Where do we have fewer resources? What do others see as our weaknesses? Positive Threats Opportunities • • • What opportunities are available? What trends are advantageous? How do we turn strengths to opportunities? • • • External Negative What threats do we see? What are competitors doing? What threats are created by our weaknesses? 6

SWOT Strengths Weaknesses Internal Use opportunities to overcome weaknesses Positive Opportunities Threats Negative External Use strengths to exploit opportunities Exploit strengths to minimize threats Example: KSU University College 2012 -2017 Strategic Plan pp. 8 -10 http: //uc. kennesaw. edu/resources_docs/uc_strategic_plan. pdf 7

Some Key Services, Programs, and Functions of Learning and Tutoring Centers? 1. Tutoring by appointment 2. Tutoring--drop in 3. Emporium support/tutoring 4. Learning skills/study strategies 5. Peer Cooperative Learning (e. g. , SI, SLA) 6. Developmental labs/courses 7. Computer lab 8. Faculty services (Teaching & Learning Center) 9. Academic testing/evaluation 10. Academic coaching/learning skills & study strategies 8

What are the Services, Programs, and Functions of a Learning Center? 11. Disability services 12. Academic recovery 13. Referral to other campus programs/services 14. Instructional materials-print/AV/computer 15. Partner with advising and counseling Does AEC provide services not listed? 9

Staff Pictures at Entrance 10

A Few Ways to Generate Ideas for Developing New or Improving Existing Tutoring Centers • Meet with/survey administrators, department chairs, student affairs directors, students • Visit other centers; review other center websites • Review LSCHE http: //www. lsche. net • Join LRNASST • Read Starting a Learning Assistance Center and part of Improving Student Learning Skills • Review tutor training ideas at http: //www. crla. net • Review CAS Learning Assistance Program standards • Conduct an informal review using NCLCA Learning Centers of Excellence Checklist 11

Conduct Informal LCE Review I. Programs and Services II. Organizational Framework III. Academic Integrity and Learning Environment IV. Funding, Resources and Design V. Staff and Professional Development VI. Promotion and Public Relations VII. Assessment and Evaluation http: //www. nclca. org/LCs_of_excellence 12

Possible Development and Improvement Areas Advisory Board Funding Space and Furnishings Professional Development Standards/ Best Practices Goals, Objectives, SLOs Policies Job Descriptions Tutor Hiring/Trainin g Strategic Plan Startup Decisions Comprehensive Support Services Evaluation Marketing/PR Annual Report 13

Does your center have • A strategic plan • Goals/objectives • Student Learning Objectives • An advisory board • An annual report/ process • A status reporting mechanism • Tutor hiring/training process ? • Staff/Tutor Handbook • Adequate funding • Adequate space/furnishings • Comprehensive support services • A set of policies • A marketing plan • An evaluation plan • Job descriptions 14

Some Possible Steps to Take • • Develop/Update Current Situation Analysis Develop/Update Mission/Vision Develop/Update Strategic Plan (2 – 5 year view) Determine programs/services to add/change/delete Develop/Update LC handbook (for tutors/staff) Establish status reporting mechanism Understand budgeting process and tracking mechanism • Prepare to do an annual report • Implement program evaluation 15

Dunwoody LTC 16

But…Caution! 17

Key Resources • • LSCHE, LRNASST NCLCA, ATP, CRLA, UMKC GATA (http: //georgiatutoringassociation. org/) SECLCA (https: //nclca. wildapricot. org/southeastern) Learning Strategies Websites Tutor Training Resources Supplemental Instruction 18

• A multitude of resources for the learning center director – http: //www. lsche. net – Center names, mission statements, floor plans – References—articles, books, dissertations – Website excellence award – Bibliographies – Calendar of events – Position descriptions – Much, Much More! 19

Two Key Resources: • Best/Promising Practices [handout] – http: //www. lsche. net/? page_id=271 • Starting a Learning Assistance Center – http: //www. lsche. net/? page_id=523 20

LRNASST • LRNASST Listserv • An active Listserv that supports those interested in learning centers, learning assistance, and developmental education • Ask Questions • Join at – http: //www. lists. ufl. edu/archives/lrnasst-l. html – or just google LRNASST 21

NCLCA www. nclca. org • Supporting Learning Center Professionals • Learning Center Leadership Certification (individual) • Learning Centers of Excellence • The Learning Assistance Review (full archive online) • Newsletter; Conference Proceedings • Awards and Grants • NCLCA Institute (summer) • WOWS - Webinars 22

Other Organizations 23

CRLA ITTPC CAS LAP Standard Ø CRLA International Tutor Training Program Certification www. crla. net Ø CAS Standard on Learning Assistance Programs www. cas. edu (LAP standard available on NCLCA home page www. nclca. org) 24

Supplemental Instruction • SI is an academic assistance program that utilizes peer-assisted study sessions. Proven effective. – SI sessions are regularly-scheduled, informal review sessions. Students learn how to integrate course content and study skills while working together. • University of Missouri—Kansas City – http: //www. umkc. edu/asm/si/index. shtml • SI program certification 25

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Academic Coaching Resources • Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning – Brown, Roediger III, & Mc. Daniel • Teach Students How to Learn, – Mc. Guire & Mc. Guire • Handbook of College Reading and Study Strategy Research, 2 nd Ed, – Flippo & Caverly, Eds. – Framework, Reading Strategies, Study Strategies, Program Delivery • Conference: Teaching Academic Survival and Success – http: //tassconference. org 27

Academic Coaching Resources • Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning – Practice retrieving new learning from memory (self-quizzing) – Space out retrieval practice – Interleave the study of different problem types – Elaboration (relate to known material, explain to others) – Generation (try to solve a problem before shown method or answer) – Reflection (combines retrieval practice and elaboration; similar to metacognition) – Calibration (objective feedback to avoid the illusion of mastery) – Mnemonic Devices (Please excuse my dear Aunt Sally. Old elephants have musty skin. ) 28

Academic Coaching Resources • Bjork Learning and Forgetting Lab – https: //bjorklab. psych. ucla. edu/research/ • Metacognition – https: //cft. vanderbilt. edu/guides-sub-pages/metacognition/ • SQ 3 R: http: //www. studygs. net/texred 2. htm • Pinterest for Cornell Note Taking: – https: //www. pinterest. com/explore/cornell-notes/ • Learning Myths – https: //www. fastcompany. com/40420472/five-popular-myths-aboutlearning-that-are-completely-wrong – http: //www. npr. org/sections/ed/2017/03/22/520843457/you-probablybelieve-some-learning-myths-take-our-quiz-to-find-out 29

Academic Coaching Resources • University of Cincinnati – https: //www. uc. edu/aess/lac/academiccoaching. html • University of West Georgia – https: //www. westga. edu/student-services/cas/academic-coaching. php • Iowa State – http: //www. asc. dso. iastate. edu/coaching • University of Tennessee – http: //studentsuccess. utk. edu/academic-coaching/what-is-academic-coaching/ • Georgia Tech – http: //success. gatech. edu/coaching • Texas A&M University – http: //successcenter. tamu. edu/Academic-Coaching 30

A Few Learning Strategies Websites • Virginia Tech http: //ucc. vt. edu/academic_support/study_skills_information. h tml • U of Central Florida http: //sarconline. sdes. ucf. edu/? page_id=344 • Study Guides & Strategies http: //www. studygs. net • Cal Poly http: //sas. calpoly. edu/asc/ssl. html • Texas Tech: Study Tips on Pinterest – http: //www. pinterest. com/ttuadvising/study-tips/ 31

Tutor/Staff Handbook • See handout for topics to include • Harvard Bureau of Study Counsel Tutor Handbook – http: //bsc. harvard. edu/files/bsc/files/tutor_handbook_revised_august_20_2 013. pdf • De Anza College Student Success Center Tutor Handbook – https: //www. deanza. edu/studentsuccess/academicskills/f 12 tutorhandbook. pdf • UVU Math Lab Tutor Handbook – https: //sites. google. com/site/mathlabuvu/Tutor-Certification/tutorcenter-policies--orientation • Purdue Athletics Academic Support Services Handbook – http: //grfx. cstv. com/photos/schools/pur/sports/acad-services/auto_pdf/2015 -16/misc_non_event/tutor_manual_201516. pdf 32

Suggested Tutor Training Material/Sites • CRLA Tutor Training Handbooks • NC State Videos/Put the Pencil Down (M. Toms) – http: //tutorial. dasa. ncsu. edu/tutor-training-products/ • City College of San Francisco LAC – http: //www. ccsf. edu/Services/LAC/Lern 10_Online_Tutor_Training/ • University of Richmond Training for Tough Tutorials – http: //writing 2. richmond. edu/training/tough 2016/index. html • The Master Tutor/Cambridge Stratford Institute – http: //www. cambridgestratford. com/tutoring. html • A Training Guide for College Tutors and Peer Educators (S. Lipsky) 33

Group Tutoring Room 34

Poster Sources • • • http: //www. allposters. com http: //www. mathematicianspictures. com http: //www. alastore. ala. org/ http: //www. Teacherstorehouse. com http: //www. Edugraphics. net http: //www. posterrevolution. com/subjects/in dex. cfm? s=Education 35

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Marketing • Center brochures, flyers • Promotional items: bookmarks, pencils • Campus/student newspaper, video, audio, TV, radio • Website/Social Media • Advisory Board • Student, faculty, adjunct faculty orientations • Faculty development days, Department meetings • Tours, class visits, open houses • Regular meetings with administrators, faculty, staff • Status reports, annual reports, statistics • Award ceremonies; tutor pinning 37

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Advisory Board • • • [handout] Provide advice and counsel Promoting the learning center Prioritize initiatives, budget Review learning center status Meet from 2 – 4 times per academic year Members: important or influential department chairs, faculty, administrators, staff, advisors, students 39

Annual Reports • Report annually on how your center is doing, the good and not-so-good, usage and impact statistics, initiatives/projects, what the center needs… • Find examples on LSCHE at – http: //www. lsche. net/? page_id=8324 – Texas A&M Academic Success Center – Clemson University Academic Success Center – Florida State University Academic Center for Excellence • Ball State University http: //cms. bsu. edu/academics/collegesanddepartments/universitycollege/learningcenter/about 40

Status Reporting • Sections of a Status Report: – Issues/Concerns/FYI – Accomplishments – Plans/In Progress • ONE page • Three items per section 41

LTC Writing Center & Chemistry Tutoring Area 42

Website/Social Media • Website – Support online students – Over 1500 LC websites on LSCHE • • • Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest Blogs 43

Celebrate! • National Tutoring Week (Oct 2 -6) • Tutor Certification—Pinning Ceremony • Pot Luck Luncheons/Picnics 44

Potluck Luncheon 45

Center Goals/Student Learning Objectives • Set Learning Center goals/objectives • Set Student Learning Objectives (aka Student Learning Outcomes) • Determine how to measure them • UNC-Greensboro Tutoring and Academic Skills Program – http: //success. uncg. edu/forms/TASP-Goals-Objectives. SLOs. Chart_2014_2015. pdf • Antelope Valley College – https: //www. avc. edu/sites/default/files/studentservices/lc/New. LC 1213 Goalsand. Obj. . pdf • The College at Brockport – https: //www. brockport. edu/academics/student_learning_center/tips/out comes. html 46

Program Evaluation • Partner with Institutional Research • Establish a tracking database • Determine how the LC is viewed by students, faculty, staff, administrators • Possible measures: – Student usage/demographics/satisfaction – Student learning skills improvement/pass rates/ retention/ grades • University of Hawaii Academic Support Annual Report of Program Data – http: //www. hawaii. edu/offices/cc/arpd/academicsupport. php? action=quantitativeindicator s&college=HAW&year=2015&program=173 • Central Oregon CC Tutoring & Testing Assessment Plan – http: //www. cocc. edu/assessment/student-services/tutoring-and-testingassessment-plan/ 47

Program Evaluation • Assessing Academic Support: The Effects of Tutoring on Student Learning Outcomes http: //eric. ed. gov/? id=EJ 689654 • CRLA white paper on assessment – http: //www. crla. net/index. php/publications/crla-white-papers • Kostecki, J. , & Bers, T. (2008). The effect of tutoring on student success. The Journal of Applied Research in the Community College, 16(1), 6 -12. • Trammell, J. (2005). Learning about the learning center: Program evaluation for learning assistance programs. The Learning Assistance Review, 10(2), 31 -40. • Example assessment plan (LSU Center for Academic Success) – http: //students. lsu. edu/sites/default/files/resources/files/LSU%2020142015%20 Assessment%20 Plan%20 CAS%20 SLE. pdf • Gene Shackman—Beginners Guides to Evaluation – http: //gsociology. icaap. org/methods/Basicguides. Handouts. html 48

19 199 9 99 -2 0 20 00 00 20 200 1 01 -2 0 20 02 02 20 200 3 03 -2 0 20 04 04 20 200 5 05 -2 0 20 06 06 20 200 7 07 -2 0 20 08 08 -2 00 9 19 98 Visits Year-by-Year Dunwoody LTC Sign-in Count 60 000 50 000 40 000 30 000 20 000 10 000 Summer Spring Fall 0 49

Recommendations & Suggestions • Learn more about learning assistance (LRNASST, LSCHE) • Assess your situation – – • • Interviews/surveys of students, faculty, administrators, staff NCLCA Learning Centers of Excellence criteria Best/Promising Practices on LSCHE External evaluation/benchmarking Develop and share one-year and multi-year plans Collaborate and communicate—publicity/public relations Achieve CRLA ITTPC Achieve LCLC Set a goal to achieve NCLCA LCE designation Ensure professional development and join professional orgs Evaluate your program and share results Celebrate 50

Next Steps? List 1 -3 ideas to think about for SWOT. http: //sites. pc. gsu. edu/acraig/ 51