During an online peer tutoring session, you will engage with a Peer Tutor to find
solutions to problems, learn best practices for studying course material, and gain
a deeper understanding of the course content. To benefit the most from a peer tutoring
session, come prepared with materials and questions you would like to discuss. Additionally,
please follow these recommendations to ensure a productive tutoring session:
For full functionality during the session, download the Microsoft Teams app rather
than using the browser version. The app provides access to features like Whiteboard,
which tutors frequently use to allow you to show your work and explain your thought
processes better.
Writing with a keypad or mouse can be slow, so if you have a device like a Wacom tablet,
iPad, or even a phone depending on preference, you can connect it as a secondary device
to write more easily on the Whiteboard.
Ensure you turn off the speaker, microphone, and incoming video on your writing device
to prevent audio issues like echoing.
If you don’t have a writing device, you can still use your touchpad or type out equations
and steps, or upload pictures of your work directly to Teams or the Whiteboard to
help your tutor understand your approach and focus on areas where you need the most
assistance.
Find a Quiet Place
Find or create a quiet, distraction-free space for the session. While a café may be
a good place for studying, it’s not ideal for video conferencing due to background
noise. If you receive tutoring from your home or dorm, inform household members or
roommates of your scheduled tutoring time to minimize interruptions.
Log onto Teams Early
Join the online session 10 minutes before the scheduled time to ensure you're ready
to start promptly. This gives you time to check your internet connection, test your
microphone and camera, and ensure your writing devices (if using) are working properly.
This also allows you to troubleshoot any issues with your tutor most ectively without
cutting into valuable session time. Watch the YouTube tutorial video to learn how to test audio and video on Microsoft Teams.
Turn on Your Webcam
This session is confidential and not recorded, ensuring a private one-on-one environment.
We highly recommend turning on your video to enhance communication and allow your
tutor to better understand your questions. While we understand that it may not always
be possible due to your location, turning on your webcam leads to a smoother, more
effective experience.
Prepare with Questions and Materials
Please come prepared with any questions you’d like to discuss and have digital copies
of relevant materials (e.g., notes, textbooks) ready, so you can easily share your
screen during the tutoring session.
Alternatively, you are encouraged to upload the materials as attachments through Accumedia when making the appointment. This allows the tutor to view or screen share the materials
more easily.
Set Clear Learning Goals
At the start of the session, clearly communicate your learning objectives. The more
specific you are, the better your tutor can assist you. If possible, mention the topics
or problems you need help with when booking the session. This will allow both you
and the tutor to use your time eHiciently and focus on the areas where you need the
most help.
Stay Focused and Engaged
Stay focused and actively engaged during the session. This includes turning on your
webcam and audio, avoiding multitasking, closing irrelevant applications, asking and
answering questions, using the chat function, and taking notes as needed.
Respect the Tutor’s Time
Be punctual and respectful of the tutor’s time. If you need to cancel or reschedule,
please use the link sent in the confirmation email as early as possible. If you miss
more than three appointments, you will not be allowed to schedule any further appointments
with a tutor for the semester.
Keep in mind that the appointment time is strictly limited to 50-minutes per session.
Tutors will not entertain requests to extend the meeting time or other additional
tutoring not by appointment.
Academic Integrity
Tutoring sessions are designed to help you understand concepts and develop problem-solving
skills. Use the session as an opportunity to deepen your understanding and enhance
your skills. Tutors will guide you, but they will not provide direct answers to assignments
or exams. Learn more about USF Ethics and Integrity.
Provide Feedback to Us
Your feedback is valuable in helping us improve our services to better support USF
students. Please share your thoughts on your tutoring experience through Student Feedback Survey, including what the tutor did well, areas for improvement, or any additional services
you would recommend to the Academic Success Center.