Tutors, Mentors and Peer

Buddies

ADS Structure

ADS

ADC PsyCaD

Tutors Peer Buddies Guardians / Mentors

Tutors• Academic Development Centre (ADC) responsible for

establishment and maintenance of tutor system

• “The Tutor system is in line with the University of Johannesburg Teaching and Learning strategy. According to this strategy, teaching at the University of Johannesburg could be defined as the guidance, support and promotion of student learning (i.e. tutoring). Tutors therefore play an important mediating role in teaching and learning events at the University of Johannesburg.”

Tutors

• UJ Tutors:• Senior peers

• Good subject knowledge & interpersonal skills

• Act as mentors & role models

• Role of ADC• Provides strategic development, guidance & support

to tutors

• Implement & utilize tutor system within departments to promote subject-specific learning

Tutors

• The tutor system aims to enable:

• Student-centered support and development

• Quality learning

• Assistance in identification of under-performing students

Peer Buddies• Peer Support:

• Variety of interpersonal helping behaviors assumed by non-professionals who undertake a helping role with others

• Includes individual helping relationships, group leadership, discussion leadership etc.

• Peer Buddies Programme complements PsyCaD services

• Training and supervision by professional PsyCaD staff to provide for a responsible Peer Buddies support programme

• Peer: “ a kind of a guide…..walks with you and leads without leaving you to follow.”

• A peer is an individual of approximately the same age group, who has the same interests, has (had) the same experiences and/or share real or perceived similarities

• Generally, people are relatively equal in terms of power when they interact as peers

What is a Peer Buddie?

• Role of Peer Buddies @ UJ:

• To listen, advise, refer and provide general support to students individually or in group setting

• Messages delivered by Peers are often perceived to be more credible than those delivered by adult authority figures

Peer Buddie?

Peer Buddies

• Selection and training of Peer Buddies:

• Interested volunteering senior students apply for advertised positions

• Personal interviews

• Training: annual 3-day training camp by PsyCaD professional staff + ongoing supportive supervision

• Currently: 53 trained Peer Buddies to provide services across campus sites

The role of Peer Buddies in RDP• Establish contact with relevant House Committee member• Promote workshop with House Comms, Residence

Manager / Prim of the relevant residence• Book venues as per Residence Development Schedule• Ensure availability of venues• Place marketing posters for Life Enrichment Workshops at

each residence, library, PsyCaD offices and cafeteria• Verbally market services of workshops to students living in

residences• To assist presenter (Intern Psychologist) with distributing

bookmarkers, stationery, pamphlets etc & ensure smooth running of workshops

• Promote the Peer Buddie System in residences

Peer Buddies and Faculties

• Peer Buddies will forward any requests for assistance to PsyCaD

Guardians / Mentors• UJ Residence Development Programme initiative

• Training programme facilitated by PsyCaD & monitored by Residence Managers

• Aim:• Respond to academic needs of 1st Year students• Effective, flexible, creative, student-centered academic

development initiatives

• Sustained 1-to-1 relationship between academically competent student and 1st Year student

• Supportive & stimulating relationship enables 1st Year student to become active agent in process of own academic growth

Guardians / Mentors• Roles:

• Provide mentoring, guidance and support to 1st Years under their guardianship

• Assist students to adjust to transition to University by laying a solid foundation at beginning of students’ academic development

• Provide timely and effective assistance to address students needs – increase probability to achieve their academic goals

• Training available:

• 3 day training by PsyCaD

PsyCaD contact details:

• APK:• C-Ring 1• 011 559 3324• www.uj.ac.za/psycad

Faculty Liaison Psychologists: Humanities

Ms. Z.Asmal – APK

Mr. K. Mashaba – APK

Ms. M. Naicker – APB

Ms. F. Sijula – SWC