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Online Tutoring Expectations

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:

Complete the Academic Success Center Agreement

Download the Microsoft Teams App

  • 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 Materials

  • Please ensure you have digital copies of necessary 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.