1st November 2010 9:00
By Blue Tutors
In a report on the Rocky Mountain Collegian website, two tutors explain how they have set up a one-to-one tuition program in the US, and have found it t be a massive success. Michelle Turner and Toni-Lee Vilney created the Liberal Arts Tutoring Services in Autumn of last year, and mainly through word of mouth, they have doubled the number of students receiving private tuition since the pilot scheme last year.
Turner and Vilney believe that students should feel comfortable seeking extra tuition, regardless of the current grades. Turner said “As academic advisors, Toni-Lee Viney and I see firsthand how meaningful extra support can be for students.” She added “We hope to help more students establish strong study skills and habits”. Vilney agrees, and emphasised the benefit of private tuition for even high performing students: “The reality is that tutoring can be beneficial to students performing at various levels. It provides a structured opportunity for students to work through course material and to further apply class concepts in a one-on-one or small group setting.”
It’s claimed that the tutoring program helps first year university students adjust to the increased level of academia, and that the skills learnt from their tutors for a particular subject can also be applied to other subjects.
The program currently has 128 students, and is still expanding. One tutor, Caitlin Still commented on the rewarding nature of the program for its tutors. She said “I love seeing that spark when they finally get it,”