Our peer tutor training and academic support delivery models are tailored to the diverse needs of student populations at a 2 year and 4 year college. The directors will discuss how these models prepare students for success. Participants will leave with ideas for enhancing their training and academic support programs.

1. Two Directors Meet at the Crossroads of Peer Tutors and Student Success Dr. Lisa D’Adamo-Weinstein Director of Academic Support Northeast Center SUNY Empire State College Dr. Tacy Holliday Science Learning Center Director Germantown Campus Montgomery College

3. Responsibility & Ownership

4. Professional Standards

5. Tailoring Training

6. Feedback & Evaluation

8. About me: A 40-something member of "Generation X", a soccer mom, and a digital immigrant who is totally addicted to my iPod Touch., DroidX & iPad2. Director of Academic Support at Empire State College's, Northeast Center, delivering face-to-face, online, and blended academic support services and resources. Ph.D in Language Education (2001) from Indiana University, focusing on the narratives of first-generation female college students and their identity and college success. Member of NCLCA and CRLA. Past-President of NCLCA. Follow me on: Twitter - @LisaDAW http://twitter.com/LisaDAW SlideShare - http://www.slideshare.net/LisaDWEmpire Wordpress - http://techeducator.wordpress.com/ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/learningcentertech Lisa D’Adamo-Weinstein

9. SLC Two Roads ... OAS

10. Brief Overview of Lisa’s “Center” SUNY Empire State College’s Northeast Center (NEC) Office of Academic Support (OAS) is one of 9 such offices at the college with a Director of Academic Support (DAS) at each location. There are 7 branch regional, 1 program specific, and 1 online offices. There are approximately 20,000 undergraduate students at the college. At the Northeast Center (NEC), we offer our services to approximately 1,500 students directly affiliated with the center. OAS offers workshops; individual appointments with learning & peer coaches; academic skills development and study strategies courses; we have print and online resources; and we offer online content area tutoring as well as onsite and online peer tutors. Study space and a computer lab available for individual and/or group work on assignments , individual appointments, workshops, assessments, and/or using online resources.

11. Brief Overview of NEC Peer Coaching Peer coaches assist students by focusing on enhancing general study skills, tutoring in specific content areas, navigating through college resources, and developing study strategies within their Areas of Study. Peer coaches work in both face-to-face and virtual environments. They are trained by the staff of the NEC Office of Academic Support following internationally recognized certification standards set forth by the College Reading & Learning Association (CRLA) for peer tutors. Peer Coaches work as volunteers, work-study, or practicum students.

13. The online student was able to see and hear the entire workshop and Peer Coach panel as he joined us from a café using a wifi network in New Orleans as he was traveling for business…

14. Peer Tutoring and Student Success For the Peer Coaches Practicum Volunteer Workstudy Benefits to peers being tutored

15. Brief Overview of Tacy’s Center The Science Learning Center is a student-centered learning environment dedicated to supporting students in science coursework by offering quality tutoring and educational resources, incorporating technology into learning, and fostering a friendly and informal learning environment. The SLC has about 18,000 student visits per year. The SLC serves a diverse student population.

21. AttheCrossroads... BEST PRACTICES SLC OAS

23. Responsibility & Ownership

24. Professional Standards

25. Tailoring Training

26. Feedback & Evaluation

28. Peer coaches (rather than tutors) No group Individual Workshop presentations (student panel) Appointment (evenings, work schedule, 1 hr-ish) Form triage (low-pc, mid, high-Lisa) Smarthinking for content Elluminate for at a distance Workshops OAS

29. SLC Drop-in Hybrid (homework lab, individual tutor, group tutor). “On the spot” customization. Course-based help. Center triage (match available resources with students). Front desk/tutors do this.

30. Responsibility & Ownership Encouraging peers to take initiative, ask questions, and help. Working yourself out of that job. “Teachers are those who use themselves as bridges, over which they invite their students to cross; then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own.” –Nikos Kazantzakis, Greek writer and philosopher (author of Zorba the Greek & The Last Temptation). Delegation Raise your kids well, then trust.

31. Professional Standards www.myatp.org/cert.htm

32. Level 1 (learning coaches/ Level 2-3) Break-up training (2x a month, full day, evening sessions) Adult learning theory to meet adult/returning students Refresher/skills ready to enter upper level classes. OAS

33. SLC Level 1 & 2. Joint training with the other campus learning centers, additional training in specific content areas. Cross-cultural training (diverse student population).

34. You Meet at the CrossroadsKey Topics for Tutor Training In pairs, develop a list of 7 to 10 topics that should be a part of every tutor training program.

35. Tailoring Training Don’t reinvent the wheel, but paint it a color you like. Standards like: ATP training, CRLA, others. Additional resources: online, journals, videos, etc. Addressing student/institutional needs and resources.

36. Join the Conversation Consider our list and determine just one way you would need to tailor these “Top Ten” training topics to meet your needs and resources.

37. Feedback & Evaluation Different levels (student, supervisor, self-reflection). Quantitative/Qualitative.

38. Observation session Feedback forms Recording online sessions Coach the coaches OAS

39. SLC Repeat visits Tutor effectiveness Student surveys Observations

40. You Meet at the CrossroadsFeedback & Evaluation of Tutors In pairs, develop a list of 3 ways to gather feedback and 3 ways to evaluate your tutors.

41. Ongoing Professional Development Think “Professional Development” Not “Training.” More Than Just a Class or Event. Feedback/Evaluation Spiral of Growth Broader Approach/Two Birds With One Stone (peer coaches, presentation skills, resume, job skills) Other Certifications (NCLCA LCLC)

42. Join the Conversation What kinds of ongoing professional development do you offer your staff/tutors/coaches?

43. At the Crossroads:Your Direction Take 5 minutes to jot down the ideas you have for enhancing your tutor program.

44. Join the Conversation With a partner, share your ideas…

45. Continue the Conversation Online… www.LearningCenterTech.pbworks.com