Student Learning Center Online Tutor Training

Overview

In August 2020 (at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic), as the new semester at CSU Chico started online, the Student Learning Center needed an effective online tutor training for more than 100 undergraduate tutors in various subjects. Tutors had to be trained in center policies, tutor pedagogy, and how to use Zoom. The training was built on Blackboard using self-paced modules that included videos, readings, and quizzes to assess learning.

Problem

The Student Learning Center had been training tutors in-person for decades. The training usually took place before the semester started over three days in the center as well as various classrooms on campus. When the COVID-19 pandemic prevented in-person interactions, the center had over 100 tutors that needed to be trained online before they could start tutoring. Budget was tight, and time was limited.

Solution

Develop an online training using available or inexpensive resources.

Design

The training was built in Blackboard. The tutor signed in and moved through several modules that covered center policies, tutor pedagogy, and how to use Zoom. Modules had a combination of text, videos, and handouts. Google Slides were linked so tutors can easily move from one module to the next. Google Forms were used to assess comprehension, and tutors received their scores with feedback immediately. Each module was designed with a journal reflection to invite tutors to consider the topic in that module.

Project Attributes

• Blackboard

• Google Slides

• Google Form

• Zoom

• iMovie