Peer Tutor Training Programme

1
Peer Tutor TrainingProgramme

• A joint programme between Mathematical Sciences
  and SORTED
• Initial funding from TDF

2
Aim

• To provide a training programme for
• undergraduates to allow them to act as
• effective peer tutors
• (in the mathematical sciences).

3
Current Structure

• Training takes place in academic year
• prior to tutoring, mainly in semester 2
• Voluntary training - students sign up via email
• Two training strands
• Tutors for first year mathematics units
• Tutors for mash first year maths drop in
• Training in 2 hour workshops
• Students asked to carry out reflective activities
• following each workshop

4
The Programme

• How students learn
• Effective student support
• Running effective tutorials
• Observation of a tutorial
• Having a go!
• Assessment and feedback
• Supported by moodle module

Unit tutors
Drop in tutors
Both
5
How students learn

• Generic learning styles
• Types of maths learner
• Differences and similarities between school and
  undergraduate level learning.
• Link to literature
• OU/BBC materials on learning styles
• David Tall Advanced Mathematical Thinking

6
Effective student support

• Supporting individuals
• Running small groups
• Preparing for drop-in
• Organising drop-in
• Case Studies
• Role play

7
Running effective tutorials

• Starting the tutorial
• Group work structures
• Planning a maths tutorial
• Explaining mathematical ideas
• Finish of tutorial

8
Observation/Having a go!

• Observation
• Student participation and facilitation of
  learning in tutorial
• Strengths and weakness of tutorial.
• Having a go!
• Video 10 minute tutorial
• Feedback on strengths and weakness from all
  members of group

9
Assessment and feedback

• Implications of assessment and feedback on
  student learning
• Assessment Set up marking scheme for a problem.
  Compare within groups. Agree common scheme. Mark
  work based on the scheme.
• Feedback Discussion of types of feedback and
  their role in learning.

10
Participation

• 2006 2007 training
• 39 students
• 2007 2008 tutoring
• 21 unit tutors
• 15 MASH tutors
• 2007 2008 training
• 15 3rd year MMath Students
• 20 2nd year MMath and BSc students
• 2008 2009 training
• 12 unit tutors
• 9 MASH tutors

11
Running the programmePlan for 2009/10 onwards

• Run exclusively through SORTED supported by mash
• Extend to offer training for mash to students
  from other departments
• Opportunities to work with other departments to
  offer training for undergraduate peer tutors
• Links with postgraduate training (semester 1)?
• Links to peer mentoring
• National working group in peer tutoring