Course Tutoring

These policies outline the structure of tutoring sessions as well as students’ responsibility for their own learning and contributing to a collegial learning environment.

1. 1. Tutoring sessions are 50 minutes in length and they start at 10 minutes past the hour. Each week students are permitted to pre-register for one 50-minute session per class. When space permits, students may join additional sessions by contacting the Virtual Tutoring Centre front desk (tutoring.trsm@torontomu.ca (opens in new window) ). A maximum of five (5) students can be assisted at a time by one (1) APH during virtual group tutoring.
   
2. If students are unable to attend a tutoring session, they are expected to cancel their session as soon as possible (or at least two (2) hours in advance). If students fail to attend two (2) pre-registered sessions without advance cancellation, they will be required to speak with a member of the Tutoring Centre staff to discuss booking privileges.
   
3. If students do not arrive by ten (10) minutes into the session (twenty minutes after the hour) the spot may be given to another student. Likewise, if arriving in the last twenty (20) minutes of a session, students may be asked to register for the next available session.
   
4. Student relationships with tutors are professional only. It is not appropriate to ask for a tutor's contact information to talk or meet outside of virtual tutoring or ask to copy their notes. Students should direct questions about course content to their Course Instructor. Questions about the tutoring program should be directed to tutoring.trsm@torontomu.ca (opens in new window) .
   
5. Tutoring does not replace instruction in class. Students are responsible for keeping up with course content, including attending virtual classes and/or watching lecture or tutorial videos. Tutors (Academic Peer Helpers, APHs) will not be teaching missed class content.
   
6. Students are responsible for preparing for the tutoring session, including completing the Tutoring Questionnaire before each virtual tutoring session to provide specific content and questions they would like to see addressed in the session and familiarizing themselves with course materials.
7. Students agree to complete a feedback form at the end of each tutoring session.
   
8. Students are responsible for having their own supplies, such as: device for connecting to Zoom, headphones/microphone for participating in sessions, calculator, textbook, paper, etc.
   
9. If students lack any necessary tech items, they should contact the TRSM Student Help Desk for support. TRSM Program Advising and Student Success TRS 1-004 (7th floor) 575 Bay Street (Entrance at 55 Dundas St. West) Email: trsm.academicsuccess@torontomu.ca
   
10. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the general features of Zoom, including: mute, video enabling, “raise your hand” feature, and chat function, using tip sheets available on the Zoom website to assist.
    
11. Tutors are not able to assist with material that will be graded, such as assignments, quizzes, take-home tests, etc. because it is against TMU Senate Policy 60: Academic Integrity.
    
12. Students are partly responsible, along with their peers, to create and maintain a welcoming and accepting learning environment. They are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Student Code of Non-Academic Conduct as outlined in Senate Policy 61. If students breach the policies of the Student Code of Non-Academic Conduct, virtual Tutoring Centre staff will report and investigate the incident as well as take the advice of the Student Conduct Officer regarding tutoring registration privileges.
    
13. Students agree to read the PASS’s tip sheet on  (PDF file) Netiquette to prepare themselves for successful and respectful virtual tutoring sessions.
    
14. The Virtual Tutoring Centre works to maintain safety and quality assurance by recording and securely storing tutoring sessions. Attendance at these events is consent to such recordings. In addition, a member of staff from the Tutoring Centre may enter the Zoom session at any time to observe the APHs tutoring and/or check to see if students want to continue to the next session. Students are not permitted to take screenshots or recordings of virtual tutoring sessions without consent of the PASS Virtual Tutoring team.

1. Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) Sessions are 50 minutes in length and they start at 10 minutes past the hour.
   
2.  A maximum of thirty-five (35) students can be assisted at a time by one (1) PAL Leader during a scheduled PAL session. If the maximum number of participants is reached, students may be asked to attend the next available PAL session.
   
3. If a PAL Session needs to be cancelled, students will be notified immediately and at least 2 hours in advance when possible. 
   
4. Student relationships with PAL Leaders are professional only. It is not appropriate to ask for a tutor's contact information to talk or meet outside of virtual tutoring or ask to copy their notes. Students should direct questions about course content to their Course Instructor. Questions about the PAL Program should be directed to peer.trsm@torontomu.ca.
   
5. PAL Sessions do not replace instruction in class. Students are responsible for keeping up with course content, including attending virtual classes and/or watching lecture or tutorial videos. PAL Leaders will not be teaching missed class content.
   
6. Students are responsible for preparing for the PAL session, including familiarizing themselves with course materials before each virtual PAL session, coming to the session with specific questions, and being ready to participate actively and collaboratively with their peers.
   
7. Students agree to complete a feedback form at the end of each PAL session.
   
8. Students are responsible for having their own supplies, such as: device for connecting t Zoom, headphones/microphone for participating in sessions, calculator, textbook, paper, etc If students lack any necessary tech items, they should contact the TRSM Student Help Desk for support.
   
9. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the general features of Zoom, including: mute, video enabling, “raise your hand” feature, and chat function and using tip sheets available on the TMU Zoom website, to assist. TRSM Program Advising and Student Success TRS 2-168 (8TH floor) 575 Bay Street (Entrance at 55 Dundas St. West) Email: trsm.academicsuccess@torontomu.ca
   
10. PAL Leaders are not able to assist with material that will be graded, such as assignments, quizzes, take-home tests, etc. because it is against Senate Policy 60: Academic Integrity.
    
11. Students are partly responsible, along with their peers, to create and maintain a welcoming and accepting learning environment. They are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Student Code of Non-Academic Conduct as outlined in Senate Policy 61. If students breach the policies of the Student Code of Non-Academic Conduct, Program Advising and Student Success staff will report and investigate the incident as well as take the advice of the Student Conduct Officer regarding PAL attendance privileges. Adhering to this code will be especially important when working with peers in breakout rooms.
    
12. Students agree to read the PASS’s tip sheet on  (PDF file) Netiquette to prepare themselves for successful and respectful virtual tutoring sessions.
    
13. The Program Advising and Student Success works to maintain safety and quality assurance by recording and securely storing PAL sessions. Attendance at these events is consent to such recordings. In addition, a member of staff from the Program Advising and Student Success may enter the Zoom session at any time to observe the PAL Leader and/or check in on the session. Students are not permitted to take screenshots or recordings of PAL sessions without consent of the Program Advising and Student Success team.

• To work with an upper-year peer who has a good knowledge of the course material
• Opportunity to ask questions about course content and how to approach solving various problems

• Referrals to other available resources, both within TRSM and on campus, regarding tutoring and learning skills

• To be actively engaged in the session. To gain the most from your visit/ session, it is best to come prepared with questions, having done the reading/ attended lecture (ideally both!)

• A welcoming and collaborative environment. Regardless of your knowledge with the courses, there are always areas where we can assist you in improving! We respect that students who come to the Tutoring Centre may have varying learning and personal goals. Remember: we are here to help!

Please contact the Tutoring Centre at tutoring.trsm@torontomu.ca (opens in new window)  in advance of your attendance to let us know if we can make any accommodations to ensure your inclusion in the tutoring sessions.