At LaGuardia, Academic Peer Instruction (API) has been in place for over 18 years. During this time we have demonstrated that students who participate, achieve on the average ½ to one letter grade higher than those who do not. Tutor training is one of the most essential factors that contribute to a peer tutoring program’s success. We have learned that if tutors are not extensively trained, they will often become “second teachers,” lecturing to their students, rather than coaches or facilitators who encourage their students to become active learners. This presentation will focus on the “nuts and bolts” of our tutor training program. We will show through actual training syllabi and lesson plans how our training program is designed to mimic what and how we want our peer tutors to design and carry out their own sessions.

1. PEER TUTOR REMARKS SUMMARIZED ABOUT THEIR TRAINING EXPERIENCE (19 tutors)<br />(October 5, 2011)<br />THEMATIC QUOTES: <br />Overall: <br />“ (training) Meetings are crucial,” “meaningful,” “valuable,” “essential” “encouraging,” “useful, “provides a structural support,” “important,” “taught me how to be a tutor,” “we brush up on teaching skills.” “learn new strategies,” “helps us improve our tutoring skills,” “opened my mind,” “learn from others,” “gave me strategies to make my sessions more effective, entertaining and memorable. Example: warm-up quizzes,” “helped tutors stay strongly motivated,” “prevents problems,” video representation used is the best tool,”<br />“second day introduces new tutors to the experienced ones, sharing experiences with the new tutors.”<br />PROBLEM SOLVING:<br />“Discuss difficulties we face with students,” “we get to talk about our sessions and ask questions,” “ share opinions, personal experiences and difficulties,” “help with challenging students… we work it out in the meeting.” <br />BUILDING COMMUNITY:<br />“Encouraging. Almost like a family.” “It’s a nice thing to stay in touch with each other,” “relaxed atmosphere, family-like,” “we get to know each other,” “we learn from each other,””Treat to see other API friends.”<br />OTHER:<br />“Food was provided,” “refreshments.” Tutors shared comments re: training in lehman folder on flash#5 and on my doc at school<br />