AMS Tutoring Service

TitleAMS Tutoring Service
Faculty/College/UnitOther...
OtherAlma Mater Society
StatusCompleted
Duration1 Year
Initiation04/01/2001
Completion03/31/2002
Project Summary

Recognizing that learning and helping students learn can be challenging, AMS Tutoring Services' objective is to provide students with excellent academic support through peer mentorship and to promote student interest in teaching through tutor training. Since the transition from high school to university can be difficult, supporting First Year students is our primary focus. As recent studies demonstrate, mentorship from an experienced peer is important for student success. Mentorship can also help the mentor discover their true interests and develop appropriate experience. The mentorship program offered by AMS Tutoring has benefited both students and tutors. One student commented on a recent survey that "The [AMS] tutors have been so helpful in clarifying concepts. l've learnt so much since the tutors explain the question and don't just do it!" One tutor has commented, "I've always wanted to go into education but didn't know where to start ... this job has given me so much valuable experience teaching."

The program, while it has already seen a great deal of success, could do even more for both students and tutors. Many students commented on their surveys that the service is currently "too crowded" and urged us to "hire more tutors." Increasing the number of tutors hired, and the hours they are available, will greatly help students. A more important area for improvement is better support for the professional development of peer tutors. By strengthening our coordination with the other tutoring programs on campus, various departments and the First Year Coordinator, we hope to enhance this support and thus improve the service to students. Greater funding will allow us to male these necessary changes without compromising our existing beneficial program.

Funding Details
Year 1: Project YearYear 1
Year 1: Funding Year2001/2002
Year 1: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 1: Principal InvestigatorSiu-Kae Yeong
Year 1: Funded Amount25,000
Year 1: Team Members

Siu-Kae Yeong, Student Services, Alma Mater Society
Serguei Novochelskii, Coordinator, Math Resource Centre, Mathematics, Faculty of Science