1. Tutorial Skills Building
Abby Shovlin
Academic Transitions Advisor
Institute for Academic Development
September 2015

2. Introduction Today’s workshop: Tutorials. What do we know already?
Tutorials. What previous first year students say
Tutorial in a nutshell activity
Mini Tutorial Task
Debrief and lessons learned

3. Tutorials: activity
What do we know already Previous experience of tutorial style learning Feelings about tutorials at university Discuss with your neighbour and share your ideas with the group

4. Tutorials: what previous first year students say
I think definitely the tutorials are really good and they’re facilitated really well, good discussion and things like that - you feel like you’re learning a lot (Beth*) * Quotes are taken from a longitudinal, qualitative research study that was carried out into first year students’ first semester learning journeys at the University of Edinburgh in All names used are pseudonyms.

5. Tutorials: what previous first year students say
The tutorials are good because you actually process the information you actually get to communicate if there’s something that you disagree on you can challenge* it
(Phil)
*constructively challenge it!

6. Tutorials: what previous first year students say
I go into tutorials and it’s really complicated, I don’t know if it’s just me... I just have to keep working at tutorials, at some point I’ll get how they work, I don’t know if it’s just me not being able to transfer from one to the other… but I’m finding it weird (Helen)

7. Tutorials: what previous first year students say
In my tutorial group sometimes I’m afraid to give answers in case I get it wrong in front of everybody (Jenny)

8. Tutorials: what previous first year students say
You don’t know what to expect. They say tutorials, seminars, lectures, but you’ve never had that before. You’ve just been in a class with other people (Liz) I think maybe training in tutorials would be- as ridiculous as it sounds- it would be quite useful (Liz)

9. Tutorials: in a nutshell
Responsibility e.g. prepare beforehand
Specific tasks
In depth focus
Debate and discussion
Trying out ideas
Getting feedback
Changing your mind
Peer Learning
Asking Questions

10. Tutorials in a nutshell: activity
In your groups discuss the statement you’ve been given
Everyone states whether they agree, disagree or are unsure (a/d/u)
Everyone gives a reason for their opinion
Listen to the opinion of others
Everyone has a/d/u option again. Have you changed your mind?
Group consensus-report back to room

11. Mini Tutorial: activity
In groups-decide on a group facilitator

12. Mini Tutorial: activity
Your topic: Chinese style education is the way forward for UK schools

13. Tutorials: wrapping up
Recap (from tutorials in a nutshell) Opportunities for my own learning and development