In our Tutoring Center, we do drop-tutoring, and students can sit in here as long as they want (we are open from 9 to 7 M-R, 9 to 5 F). When they need help, they raise their hands. However, the Writing Center works on an appointment basis and keeps the appointments to 20 minutes for the very reasons Kathy describes below: fostering student independence. The Writing Center is not a dry cleaners where students can bring horribly dirty papers and expect to leave an hour later with a clean one. The Writing Center goes over the paper globally, asks students to target a trouble spot, offers advice, and then sends them on their way to be responsible for their own work. I see the merits of both. But most research points to the 20 to 30 minutes being the most our little brains can deal with at a time. Susan Ertel Associate Professor of Composition Dixie State College of Utah -----Original Message----- From: Open Forum for Learning Assistance Professionals [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kathryn Van Wagoner Sent: Friday, December 04, 2009 2:12 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Appointment formats: Shorter appts with smaller groups, or longer appts with Hi Saundra, I have to put in a plug for 30 min appts. (They probably aren't as practical for small groups.) We do individual tutoring and cut back from 60 to 30 minutes in order to promote more student independence. One idea -- completely changing the system deters anyone from thinking any one party is being favored. K Kathryn Van Wagoner Utah Valley University Math Lab Manager 801-863-8411 [log in to unmask] >>> "Saundra Y McGuire" <[log in to unmask]> 12/4/2009 1:12 PM >>> I agree with Roberta. AND, an additional benefit is that you can see more students in a day, so 60 minutes is a more efficient use of your resources. I often find that with math, the key element is effecting a "paradigm shift" in the mind of the student. They need to know that it is their own effort that will result in success, and not "spending time" with a tutor. Very often it's the math learning strategies that are most important, along with building the students' confidence that they CAN do this. And this can sometimes be taught in even less than 60 minutes. Happy Holidays, Everyone! Saundra Saundra McGuire, Ph.D. Assistant Vice Chancellor for Learning and Teaching Professor, Department of Chemistry 736 Choppin Hall Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, LA 70803 225.578.6749 phone 225.578.2696 fax www.cas.lsu.edu Saundra Y. McGuire, Ph.D. -----Original Message----- From: Open Forum for Learning Assistance Professionals [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Roberta Schotka Sent: Friday, December 04, 2009 10:40 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Appointment formats: Shorter appts with smaller groups, or longer appts with I would opt for the 60 minute appointment. Beyond that time I think students get a bit bleary -eyed, especially with math. The shorter time can also be a great opportunity for the tutor to encourage the students to work together independently as a "study group". -Roberta ******************************************************************************************************************** Roberta Schotka Director of Programs PLTC, Wellesley College phone:781-283-2675 fax: 781-283-3709 [log in to unmask] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To access the LRNASST-L archives or User Guide, or to change your subscription options (including subscribe/unsubscribe), point your web browser to http://www.lists.ufl.edu/archives/lrnasst-l.html To contact the LRNASST-L owner, email [log in to unmask] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To access the LRNASST-L archives or User Guide, or to change your subscription options (including subscribe/unsubscribe), point your web browser to http://www.lists.ufl.edu/archives/lrnasst-l.html To contact the LRNASST-L owner, email [log in to unmask] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To access the LRNASST-L archives or User Guide, or to change your subscription options (including subscribe/unsubscribe), point your web browser to http://www.lists.ufl.edu/archives/lrnasst-l.html To contact the LRNASST-L owner, email [log in to unmask] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To access the LRNASST-L archives or User Guide, or to change your subscription options (including subscribe/unsubscribe), point your web browser to http://www.lists.ufl.edu/archives/lrnasst-l.html To contact the LRNASST-L owner, email [log in to unmask]