Tutor Training

Role of the Tutor

• CRLA category / topic: Basics / Role of the Tutor
• CRLA standard: The tutor is aware of the essential functions of their job description as well as what separates a tutor’s role from other adjacent roles (such as classmate, mentor, SI leader, coach, teacher).

Basic Program Tasks & Procedures

• CRLA category / topic: Basics / Administrative Policies, Record Keeping and Reporting
• CRLA standard: The tutor knows the administrative processes outlined by the tutorial program (i.e., time sheets, schedule changes, session notes, etc.).

Tutoring Strategies: Active Learning

• CRLA category / topic: Electives / Substitution of Topic from Level 2 or 3 (Active Learning Strategies)
• CRLA standard: The Master Tutor knows how to use active learning strategies to improve student engagement in a tutorial session, and how to instruct students in using active learning techniques on their own.

Tutoring Strategies: Mental Retrieval

• CRLA category / topic: Basics / Conducting a Successful Session
• CRLA standard: The tutor structures and delivers the tutorial session using an effective methodology, as outlined in their program’s training curriculum.

Tutoring Strategies: Critical Thinking

• CRLA category / topic: Communication / Question Asking Strategies
• CRLA standard: The tutor knows how to appropriately select and prioritize their questioning techniques for the task at hand and the student’s level of comprehension.

Tutoring Strategies: Empathy Seeking

• CRLA category / topic: Communication / Active Listening and Responding
• CRLA standard: The tutor demonstrates active listening and responding skills in the tutoring process, which may include verbal and non-verbal cues.

Tutoring Strategies: Study Methods

• CRLA category / topic: Learning or Study Techniques / Advanced Study Skills
• CRLA standard: The tutor knows effective general and discipline/course-specific study skills and strategies.

SMART Goals

• CRLA category / topic: Learning or Study Techniques / Goal Setting and Planning
• CRLA standard: The tutor assists learners in planning and/or setting personal academic goals.

CSU Learn: Gender Equity and Title IX

• CRLA category / topic: Ethics and Equity / Title IX and/or Sexual Harassment
• CRLA standard: The tutor understands relevant laws and institutional policies for dealing with and minimizing sex discrimination and sexual harassment. The tutor knows techniques to create an environment free of overt or covert sex discrimination and/or sexual harassment, as well as what to do if discrimination or sexual harassment occur within their work at the institution.

Learning Center Safety Training

• CRLA category / topic: Electives / Institutional Policies and Procedures
• CRLA standard: The tutor understands institutional policies and procedures and their relevance to tutoring and the unit/program under which tutoring is housed. Examples of topics that may be covered under this section include items such as: fire safety, active shooter protocols, basic medical emergencies, etc.

Tutor Professional Expectations

• CRLA category / topic: Basics / Tutoring Do’s and Don’ts
• CRLA standard: The tutor knows and understands the expected behaviors of their position, including what is considered appropriate and inappropriate for their role in the tutorial program.

Adult Learning Theories

• CRLA category / topic: Learning or Study Techniques / Learning Theories in Academic Support Services
• CRLA standard: The tutor is aware of and understands the basic principles of learning theories associated with academic support services.

Syllabus Analysis

• CRLA category / topic: Learning or Study Techniques / Course and Syllabus Analysis
• CRLA standard: The tutor analyzes a variety of syllabi and identifies key information from each course.

Mock Basic Tutoring Sessions

• RLA category / topic: Communication / Communication Styles
• CRLA standard: The tutor knows the different communication styles, including verbal and nonverbal examples of each style, and uses this information to guide their sessions.

Time Management

• CRLA category / topic: Learning or Study Techniques / Time Management for Tutors and Tutees
• CRLA standard: The tutor is a conscientious time and task manager and understands various approaches to effectively managing time in and out of a session.

Graphic Organizers

• CRLA category / topic: Learning or Study Techniques / Use of Graphic Organizers
• CRLA standard: The tutor understands the value of graphic organizers in the learning environment and knows ways to represent information as a graphic (mind map, chart, diagram, image, visual notetaking, etc.) to aid in the study process.

Professional Ethics

• CRLA category / topic: Ethics and Equity / Professional Ethics (Academic Integrity and Academic Honesty, Copyright Compliance, and Plagiarism)
• CRLA standard: The tutor maintains high standards of academic integrity and complies with policies and procedures related to ethical academic behavior (as an employee and student).

Level 1 Review Exam

• CRLA category / topic: Basics / Review of Level 1 Topics
• CRLA standard: The Advanced Tutor understands how to apply the skills, attitudes and behaviors learned in Level 1 training.

Tutoring for Subjects & Skills

• CRLA category / topic: Basics / Tutoring in Subject Areas and/or Specific Skills
• CRLA standard: The Advanced Tutor knows a variety of tutoring approaches that work effectively for tutoring in their content or subject area.

Giving Constructive Feedback

• CRLA category / topic: Communication / Giving Constructive Feedback
• CRLA standard: The Advanced Tutor understands the purpose of giving and receiving constructive feedback as well as the nuances of communicating positive and constructive feedback to encourage confidence-building and trust between the tutor and student.

Working with Faculty & Staff

• CRLA category / topic: Communication / Working with Faculty/Staff
• CRLA standard: The Advanced Tutor understands the importance of interacting with other professionals and paraprofessionals in a manner consistent with their role and the expectations of the tutorial program.

Academic Success Workshop: Executing a Winning Exam Game Plan

• CRLA category / topic: Learning or Study Techniques / Assessing and/or Changing Study Behaviors
• CRLA standard: The Advanced Tutor assesses their students’ study behaviors and, when needed, can assist students with developing new study habits. The Advanced Tutor knows how to promote the successful adoption of new study behaviors.

Quick Student Assessment

• CRLA category / topic: Learning or Study Techniques / Assessing Tutee’s Needs
• CRLA standard: The Advanced Tutor assesses students' needs and structures tutoring sessions around those needs.

Understanding & Managing Stress

• CRLA category / topic: Learning or Study Techniques / Stress Management
• CRLA standard: The Advanced Tutor knows the difference between eustress and distress and integrates instruction in techniques for managing responses to stressful academic situations into their session. The tutor is aware of, and respects, the boundaries between peer tutor and professional counselor.

Universal Design for Learning

• CRLA category / topic: Ethics and Equity / Universal Design for Learning
• CRLA standard: The Advanced Tutor understands how the principles of Universal Design for Learning promote engagement in the tutorial session regardless of students’ ability and/or disability status.

Mindset Theory

• CRLA category / topic: Electives / Practical Applications of Contemporary Research in the Field
• CRLA standard: The tutor understands the theoretical underpinnings of the selected research-based topics within the field of learning assistance, as well as relevance and practical application of the research within tutoring relationships and/or the unit/program.

Tutor Professional Boundaries

• CRLA category / topic: Basics / Establishing Boundaries
• CRLA standard: The Advanced Tutor understands the importance of setting boundaries with their student(s) and navigates those boundaries appropriately.

Connecting to Campus Resources

• CRLA category / topic: Ethics and Equity / Leveraging Student Information for Academic Progress
• CRLA standard: The Advanced Tutor uses student information (demographics, major, interest, degree program, etc.) to connect the student to resources and supports that help the student stay motivated and make academic progress.

Modeling Study Habits

• CRLA category / topic: Communication / Role Modeling
• CRLA standard: The Advanced Tutor understands the purpose and benefit of role modeling and can model student behaviors which are positively associated with success.

Mock Advanced Tutoring Sessions

• CRLA category / topic: Basics / Challenging Tutoring Situations
• CRLA standard: The Advanced Tutor is aware of strategies and resources to handle challenging situations they may encounter in the tutoring process.

Motivational Techniques

• CRLA category / topic: Basics / Motivational Techniques
• CRLA standard: The Advanced Tutor understands motivational theories, as well as ways to promote and/or encourage motivating behaviors or techniques with their students.

Working with Students with Disabilities

• CRLA category / topic: Communication / Working with Specific Populations
• CRLA standard: The Advanced Tutor effectively interacts with the program-identified population using sensitivity and a person-first approach, with awareness of common research-based issues the group(s) highlighted in training may face.

Self-Assessment Tools

• CRLA category / topic: Electives / Using Self-Assessment Tools
• CRLA standard: The Advanced Tutor uses the results from self-assessment tools to improve their job performance.