We have had Peer tutoring at Otago Polytechnic for a number of years. In this post I'd like to clarify its current status according to my most recent understanding (does that sentence make sense?).
But before that:
- We want it to occur (to benefit students who need help)
- We want tutors to be financially compensated
- We want tutors to have access to peer tutor training
- We want tutors to receive academic recognition for above training
I had intended to enroll active tutors this September (2008) for the Peer Tutoring Course, but it is probably too late for that. This year, therefore, committing to a formal course will not be necessary (or possible).
In 2009, it appears that the model we shall most likely follow is as follows (attention students and staff who are planning to return!):
All volunteer tutors who sign up shall complete a path of study form that indicates their intention to complete the Peer Tutoring Course, concurrent with their tutoring, but will only be required to commence this after their first few hours of tutoring.
In practice this means that the first 'unit' of work must be completed after the first hour, the second after the second, et cetera, until the entire number of approximately 7 units have been concluded.