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.
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6 comments:
Sounds fair enough to me.. but knowing the Peer Tutors are paid pretty poorly, (I think it was $14 p/hour) how will you motivate them to do 2 hours work for the pay of 1?
Presumably the work will continue long after the training has finished so proportionally the 'cost' of the time given to training will reduce and as with any investment in one's education will pay off in the long term. Also the Peer Tutor training is good for students to improve their own study skills and get the best out of their own performance in exams etc.
:) sounds hopeful to me.
It also sounds like you are saying the training is optional Helen? So if a peer tutor could elect not to do the training without it impacting on their employment as a peer tutor?
If it was required, well.. that's a bit sketchy. I don't know much about employment relations in NZ, I know they have been eroded somewhat, but the idea of paying someone for 1 hour, only to take it back of them again because of training sound dubious.
If on the other hand after completing the training they were eligible for $28 per hour, then I think that would be fair.
How many skilled jobs don't require any training? The training is free so no money is being taken back. Peer tutoring is a useful skill to have on one's CV and shows a potential employer that you can communicate and may have a good team spirit. Also it leads to private tutoring jobs when you leave Polytech. I am currently employing one of last years peer tutors to tutor my daughter in year 12 physics at a much better hourly rate!
Some lively discussion that I was unaware of. As always, I can see both sides. May we all be back here in 2009 for more fun and games.
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