Below are updates on the NSC, and I’ve included a link to Dr. Dzubak’s most recent (and excellent) article on the role of active reflection in learning!! Enjoy!
From the Desk of Dr. Cora Dzubak, Director of the Nittany Success Center
The Nittany Success Center Updates
It was a busy year in the Nittany Success Center (NSC) during 2012-2013. There was a total of 492 students who had contact with the NSC for tutoring, study groups, testing, or for individual consultation with professional staff. Of those who participated in 1:1 tutoring or study groups, 47% received a grade of A or B in the course. There were 1795 contacts between students and peer tutors, and 675 contacts between students and professional staff. The primary goal for 2013-2014 is to increase the number of students who use our services and to assist each one in becoming a successful and autonomous learner. It is worthy of mention that the Nittany Success Center tutor training program is nationally certified by the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA). As one of the requirements, a minimum of ten hours of tutor training is provided each semester.
Each semester, approximately one half of the students receiving tutoring came in to seek assistance with a Math class. Many students register for the one credit Math 97 tutorials offered by the campus, but the NSC continues to provide drop-in Math tutoring four days a week at Noon. Late afternoon (4:00 – 6:00pm) drop in Math is also being provided this Fall. All writing tutoring is provided by appointment and is supplemented by the Online Writing Lab (OWL).
Any student may request tutoring assistance and an effort will be made to provide a 1:1 peer tutor who has completed the course, received a grade of “A”, and received faculty recommendation. Faculty is encouraged to independently contact the NSC (Dr. Cora Dzubak or Donna Godfrey) to request that a study group be formed to support student learning in a course. Students with disabilities are to meet with Cora Dzubak (CMD14@psu.edu and 771-4013) in order to receive accommodations. Students for whom English is a second language may also be encouraged to meet with Dr. Dzubak who will schedule writing tutoring with a professional writing tutor, as needed.
We look forward to working with our students, faculty and staff this year! You are encouraged to refer students to us, whether for tutoring or for assistance with study skills, time management, organization, testing anxiety, or just to drop by and chat. Drop by anytime if you have a suggestion or would be interested in working with us.
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Please take a moment to read Dr. Dzubak’s excellent article published at the Association for the Tutoring Profession, A Purposeful Pause: The Role of Active Reflection in Learning http://www.myatp.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/A-Purposeful-Pause.pdf
Links to the rest of this issue