Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

• Demonstrate familiarity with the pedagogical theories underlying tutoring practice.
• Recognize the common challenges that students face in their reading/writing assignments.
• Employ culturally responsive tutoring strategies.
• Create and employ strategies for addressing challenges students face in their reading/writing assignments.

Course activities may include:

• Read, discuss and write about composition theory

• Observe and reflect upon experienced tutors at work

• Practice using directive and indirective methods of tutoring.

• Keep and maintain a log of their activities

• Facilitate the client’s discovery of writing solutions  

• Self-evaluate their relative success as tutors

• Practice the use of the tools (handbooks, word processors,
  grammar  practice programs, documentation formats) of a Reading &
  Writing Center

• Identify the special needs of non-native speakers 

• Practice one-to-one conferencing in the Reading & Writing Center under the
  supervision of the Director or one of the professional staff.

• Meet with a variety of faculty tutors with different areas of expertise

The course grade is determined by appraisal of the student's written work, performance in class, and guided tutoring practice in the Writing Center.  Instructor will meet with each student in individual conference at least once during the quarter for the purpose of assessment.

Learning Center theory, writing center pedagogy, culturally responsive pedagogy, directive versus indirective tutoring, the role of the peer tutor ,reading and writing as intersecting practices, the "myth of standard English, an anti-racist understanding of written English, tutoring practices for non-native speakers, self-evaluation, writing as a process, active reading strategies, revision strategies, professionalism, confidentiality of the student’s work, and more.