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The Impact of Tutoring/Writing Centers
on Adult Learning
Emily Fogg Matthew Infantino
Errold Nabong Lisa Spooner
EDUC 513June 1st, 2011
Presentation Overview
• Interviews
•Key Findings & Theories
• Implications
Interviewers & Interviewees
• Emily: Assistant Director of Writing Center at Seattle University
• Matt: Tutoring Coordinator at Seattle Central Community College
• Errold: Director of Academic Success Center at Bellevue College
• Lisa: Writing Desk Consultant at Grays Harbor College
Theme #1: Differing Expectations
Students
• Think the tutoring/writing center is simply an “editing service”
• Believe you must be a "struggling" student to use the services
• Want writing center consultants and tutors to "hold their hand" and do the work for them
Tutoring/Writing Centers
• Seek to teach skills that reinforce "lifelong learning”
• Develop good study habits that allow for future success
• Understand that each student is there for a unique reason
Baxter Magolda (1992 & 2001)
Baxter Magolda's (1992) Epistemological Reflection Model
• Originally created to demonstrate the reasoning of college students
Baxter Magolda's (2001) Theory of Self-Authorship
• A set of questions including: “How do I know?”
• Focused on the evolution of assumptions about the nature, limits, and certainty of knowledge
• Seeks to understand how people make meaning and develop the ability to articulate their needs to others
Theme #2: Barriers
Students • Time
• Technology
• Past experiences as learners
Writing Center/Tutors• Time and Financial
Resourceso Impacts quality
of assessment
• Inexperience of tutors/lack in tutor training
Knowles (1975)"Self-Directed Learning as a process of learning, in which people take the primary initiative for planning, carrying out, and evaluating their own learning experiences..." (Merriam et al., p. 110)
Six major steps:
1. Climate setting
2. Diagnosing learning needs
3. Formulating learning goals
4. Identifying human and material resources for
learning
5. Choosing and implementing appropriate
learning strategies
6. Evaluating learning outcomes
Theme #3: Looking to the FutureStudents• Students will share in a
more integral part of learning through the collaboration and the social context of the writing center
• More resources will become available for student development
• Students will become better lifelong learners
Tutoring/Writing Centers• Tutoring demands will
increase as populations increase
• Develop tutor training courses
• Collaboration with faculty across many disciplines on- and off-campus
• Financial support
Mezirow (2000)
Transformational learning
• Originally introduced in 1978 and since then has been critiqued and changed (p. 132)
• "The process by which we transform our taken-for-granted frames of reference... so that they may generate beliefs and opinions that will prove more true or justified to guide action" (Merriam et al., p. 133)
• Occurs when there is a transformation in our beliefs/attitudes (meaning scheme) or entire perspective (habit of mind) (Merriam et al., p. 133)
Unexpected Responses/Contradictions• Institution impacts the resources available to adult
learnerso Example: Bellevue College has math, reading, and
writing labs; a science study center; and individual and group sessions for students whereas Seattle Central Community College has tutoring for ESL and ABE students and a GED website resource
• Assessment of these programs is done by both the consultants/tutors and the studentso Is this an accurate way to measure success?
• Training of staff at tutoring/writing centers varieso Some receive little to no training while others are
required to take a class before even starting
References Baxter Magolda, M. (1992). Epistemological Reflection Model. In Merriam, S.B., Caffarella. R.S., & Baumgartner, L.M. (3rd ed). Learning in Adulthood: A Comprehensive Guide, (pp. 338-340). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Baxter Magolda, M. (2001). Baxter Magolda's Theory of Self-Authorship. In Evans, N.J., Forney, D.S., Guido, F.M., Patton, L.D., & Renn, K.A. (2nd ed). Student Development in College: Theory, Research, and Practice, (pp. 183- 193). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Knowles, M. (1975). Linear Models.In Merriam, S.B., Caffarella. R.S., & Baumgartner, L.M. (3rd ed). Learning in Adulthood: A
Comprehensive Guide, (pp. 110-111). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Mezirow, J. (2000). Mezirow's Psychocritical Approach. In Merriam, S.B., Caffarella. R.S., & Baumgartner, L.M. (3rd ed). Learning in
Adulthood: A Comprehensive Guide, (pp. 132-137). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
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