Course Redesign Workshop

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Course Redesign Workshop Session VII
Developing a Targeted Tutoring Program (Jeanne
Foley)
This work is supported by U.S. Department of
Education FIPSE grant number P116B06011.
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Math TLC Tutor Lab Overview

• All sections of Math 010 and 110 are taught in a
  single, dedicated, technology-enhanced classroom
  that is adjacent to a tutor lab staffed 50 hours
  a week by the course instructors and student
  tutors.
• Our teachers spend three hours a week in the
  tutor lab per 4-credit course, credited towards
  the eight weekly office hours required of all
  university faculty and teaching staff.
• Our undergraduate peer tutors are trained
  specifically in the content, software and methods
  used for teaching these courses via weekly online
  review assignments and biweekly training
  meetings.
• The usage statistics and survey comments show the
  value to students of the convenience of having
  their own tutors and teachers accessible right
  out the back door of the classroom, every day,
  before and after every class.

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Recruitment of TAs/Tutors

• Sources
• Math majors
• Other campus tutoring programs
• Students whove been successful in Math TLC
  classes and show interest in helping other
  students. (Referred by instructor.)
• Web site http//mathtlc.uwstout.edu/Staff.html
• (Staff directory, with link to tutor application
  and profiles of current tutors.)

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Link to current tutor bios Click here
Link to application form Click here
Suggestion Post bios/photos of student tutors
and instructors in classroom or tutor lab.
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Information on Math TLC Teaching Assistant
Positions

• Background The Math TLC (Teaching and Learning
  Center) was started in the fall semester of 2004
  to provide students taking the Math 010 and Math
  110 algebra courses with an integrated
  online/classroom/ tutor lab environment to
  maximize their opportunity to master the course
  material and move on to the next level of math.
  An important part of creating this environment is
  employing and training qualified UW-Stout
  undergraduate or graduate students to work
  one-on-one with students in the Math TLC Open Lab
  and to serve as teaching assistants in the
  classroom.

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Job Description

• Math TLC TAs are responsible for
• One-on-one tutoring of Math 010 and 110 students
  in the Math TLC Open Lab
• Completing a set of review problems each week in
  preparation for the material to be covered in
  classes the following week
• Attending biweekly training sessions on
  strategies for teaching algebra to students with
  poor math skills and high anxiety levels.
• Assisting teachers and students during scheduled
  class periods, including assisting with homework
  problems and helping proctor tests and quizzes
• Assisting the Math TLC director in maintaining
  and improving the environment in the Math TLC
  classroom and open lab room

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• Minimum qualifications
• Successful completion of Math 110 in the Math TLC
  with a grade of A or A- and a recommendation from
  your instructor
• - OR -
• Completion of Math 120 or higher with a grade of
  at least B
• - OR -
• Math Placement Test score of Level 4 or higher
  and concurrent enrollment in calculus
• Preferred Qualifications
• Previous experience as a math tutor or teaching
  assistant at any level (including pre-college)
• Familiarity with the CourseCompass/MyMathLab
  software that is used for the course
• Successful completion of calculus or higher math
  courses
• Career plans that include teaching in any field
  and/or working with applications of math or
  computer science

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Sample TA Application Form (also available on
workshop website and CD-ROM)
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TA Training Meetings

• Held biweekly
• Agenda
• Go over any issues that instructors have brought
  to directors attention.
• Ask TAs if they have any situations theyd like
  to discuss.
• Go over general teaching points dealing with
  math-phobic students, etc.
• Provide teaching points on material coming up in
  class sessions the next two weeks.
• Sometimes give pop quiz on TA review homework.

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Sample Agenda for first TA training meeting (copy
included on CD-Rom and workshop website)
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Sample Agenda for first TA training meeting
(continued)
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Scheduling of Tutor Lab Staff

• We schedule one TA as a classroom aide for each
  class session.
• We generally have two staff (tutors and/or
  instructors) in the tutor lab most hours, with
  three scheduled for peak times

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Sample Form for Scheduling Tutors (copy included
on CD-Rom and workshop website)
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Evaluation of Tutors/TAs

• Done by director, project coordinator and all
  Math TLC instructors twice each semester (middle
  and end of semester.)
• Director reviews results with each TA after each
  evaluation.
• Each TA receives a written evaluation report
  showing their current ratings compared to
  previous rating period and relative to all other
  TAs.

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TA Evaluation Form(Sample evaluation form and
report form included on workshop website and
CD-ROM.)
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Sample TA Evaluation Report
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Next up

• Krystle Bernard
• Perspective From a Veteran Tutor