Personal Tutoring in Psychology: An overview Cathy Craig School of Psychology 10/2/2016Personal Tutoring in Psychology1

Aims Improve levels of student attainment and engagement Improve levels of student retention Improve feedback (more personalised) 10/2/2016Personal Tutoring in Psychology2

Timetabling 1 st and 2 nd year – incorporated into an existing tutorial system 3 rd year – bolted onto thesis supervision 10/2/2016Personal Tutoring in Psychology3

Personal Tutoring in 1 st Year Semester 1 Welcome week – meet your personal tutor in a group (discuss expectations, note taking) Week 3 - meet your personal tutor in a group (discuss writing skills, set first essay) Week 5 – PDP workshop group – time management, CV writing (ties in with lectures on these topics and coursework) Week 8/9 – Individual meeting – feedback (essay and CV), exam preparation) 10/2/2016Personal Tutoring in Psychology4

Time Management Planner 10/2/2016Personal Tutoring in Psychology5

Other Skills Writing Skills lecture (Psychology) – Week 2 Careers lecture/CV writing (Careers) – Week 7 Sitting exams (Learning Development Service) – Week 10 10/2/2016Personal Tutoring in Psychology6

Personal Tutoring in 1 st Year Semester 2 Week 2 - Individual meeting – exam feedback – break down of marks Week 8 – Group meeting – essay feedback (oral and written), discussions on impressions 10/2/2016Personal Tutoring in Psychology7

Exam Feedback Individual Exam Feedback – Personalised Electronic exam performance feedback sheets – Relative performance within the year (summary statistics) Aims – Identify irregularities and discuss – Identify weaknesses and signpost to central services 10/2/20168

Other Skills Critical Thinking lecture (Psychology) – Week 5 Careers lecture (Careers) – Week 7 Communication skills (Learning Development Service) – Week 9 10/2/2016Personal Tutoring in Psychology9

Personal Tutoring in 2 nd Year Semester 1 Week 2/3 – Individual meeting – exam feedback – break down of marks from 2 nd semester 1 st year Semester 2 Week 2 - Individual meeting – exam feedback – break down of marks from 1 st semester 10/2/2016Personal Tutoring in Psychology10

Personal Tutoring in 3 rd Year Semester 1 Week 2/3 – Individual meeting – exam feedback – break down of marks from 2 nd semester 2 nd year Semester 2 Week 2 - Individual meeting – exam feedback – break down of marks from 1 st semester and discuss CV/careers 10/2/2016Personal Tutoring in Psychology11

Delivering Personal Tutoring Minimise additional demands on staff time Clear signposting for staff (training) Embed professional skills into the curriculum Clarity for students - who is your personal tutor and what is their role 10/2/2016Personal Tutoring in Psychology12

Role of a Personal Tutor Promote reflection upon and support for students’ general academic development Promote other services, activities and experiences related to the career and personal development of their students (e.g. Degree Plus) 10/2/2016Personal Tutoring in Psychology13

Implementing Personal Tutoring Senior Tutor – oversees programme and 22 tutors Adequate training for personal tutors (attempt to standardise) Clear signposting system to central services Record keeping of meetings 10/2/2016Personal Tutoring in Psychology14

10/2/2016Personal Tutoring in Psychology15

Survey Results Retention 10/2/2016Personal Tutoring in Psychology16 Have you ever considered ? Percentage of 1 st year students

Feedback Satisfaction 10/2/2016Personal Tutoring in Psychology

General Student Impressions Students scored Personal Tutoring idea 4.3 out of 5 Over 70% think it is a very good idea 10/2/2016Personal Tutoring in Psychology18