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Student Learning Centre (SLC)

Student Learning Centre

Welcome to Peer Tutoring

 

Peer Tutoring Services matches students who are experiencing difficulties in a course with trained student tutors for one-on-one tutoring.

This service is available online and in-person (by request) to all current Algonquin College students.

Peer Tutoring runs from January 15 – April 20, 2024

Looking to become a tutor? We are now accepting peer tutor applications for Winter 2024. The application portal will remain open, and we will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis based on demand for tutors in specific programs.

Booking a Tutor

Click here to book a tutor

Watch this short video describing the steps or follow the instructions below to book a tutor.

Step 1: Log in to the Peer Tutoring platform and set up a payment method

  • Log in to the Peer Tutoring Booking platform with your AC credentials and add a payment method. Follow the Setting up a Tutee Account (PDF) guide for step-by-step instructions.

Step 2: Search for a tutor and request a tutoring session.

Step 3: Join a tutoring session


Can't find a tutor for your program or course? Let us know by filling out the Tutor Request Form.

CST8116 Introduction to Computer Programming

Do you need additional help with CST8116 Introduction to Computer Programming? The Student Learning Centre offers virtual drop-in group sessions, at no cost, for CST8116. Sessions are student peer tutor led. Registration opens 12 hours before the scheduled start date and time.

Please contact the SLC at slc@algonquincollege.com if you need any assistance.

Coaching in ESL/Writing (free service)

If you are unable to find a Peer Tutor to help with Communications (ENL1813), you may consider coaching.

The Coaching Lab offers all Algonquin College students individual and small group coaching at no charge.

Coaching in Math (free service)

If you are unable to find a Peer Tutor to help with Math, you may consider coaching.

The Coaching Lab offers all Algonquin College students individual and small group coaching at no charge.

Our services include:

  • Basic Math (ratios, percentages, fractions, order of operations, etc.)
  • Essential Mathematics (functions, exponential functions, radicals, quadratic functions, linear equations, geometry, etc.)
  • Quantitative Methods (stats) (time series, linear regression, mean, median, variance, matrices, matrix order of operations, rotations, functions, etc.)
  • Calculus (limits, continuity, derivatives, product rule, quotient rule, chain rule, partial differentiation, etc.)

Information About Tutoring

These policies cover the expectations, requirements and restrictions for peer tutoring and are posted on the Peer Tutoring website. Click on each item below to view the details.

Students are expected to follow the Algonquin College policy on student conduct (SA 07 – Student Conduct), which states that “all students and prospective students will conduct themselves in a manner that respects the rights of all members of the College Community and College property.”

Under SA 07- Student Conduct, Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, “Assault, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment and/or other conduct, which result in members of the College Community perceiving threat or danger.” Please see the full policy for a more complete list of actions that are considered Misconduct.

This policy defines the format and expectations of peer tutoring sessions.

  1. Tutoring is a one-on-one service only.
    • Attempts by tutors or tutees to circumvent this policy may result in suspension from the service. Circumvention of this policy will also result in the tutor not receiving compensation for hours worked.
  2. Role of tutors: Tutors act as a guide to help tutees with their course material. Please keep in mind that tutors are fellow students in higher levels of their program; it would be unrealistic to anticipate them having all the answers to every question, as they are not experts. However, tutors are well-equipped to provide assistance in understanding course materials, clarifying concepts, offering study strategies, and helping you navigate through challenging topics. Their role is to support your learning journey and facilitate a deeper comprehension of the subject matter.
    • Remember that tutors cannot complete assignments or homework for tutees, and doing so would be considered an act of Academic Misconduct. Tutors are not allowed to teach tutees material that has not already been covered in their course.
  3. Required Materials: Tutees are expected to supply the materials needed for their session. Materials may include textbooks, class notes, questions, etc.

This policy outlines the payment expectations for tutoring.

  • The fee for tutoring appointments is $8.00 per hour. Students who are experiencing financial barriers are encouraged to contact the SLC Kiosk for information on financial supports available at the college.
  • Tutees are expected to pay for their tutoring appointments at the time of the booking. Therefore, before requesting a session, tutees must ensure that they have set up a payment method in the Peer Tutoring Booking system.

This policy explains the guidelines for paying for tutoring using a sponsorship.

  • Booking appointments with a sponsorship: When a sponsorship form is submitted to the SLC, there might be up to a 24-hour processing delay. Sponsorship is applied to a tutee’s account in the form of coupons which are used as a method of payment for bookings. One coupon = 1-hour appointment. Please note that the SLC Kiosk is closed during the weekend, so sponsorships will be processed on the next business day.
  • Sponsored Tutoring Hours: Tutoring hours that are sponsored must be used in accordance with the restrictions of the sponsorship.
    • Tutees cannot save hours to use outside the guidelines laid out in the sponsorship agreement. Attempts to do so may disqualify tutees from using the sponsorship in the future.
  • Multiple Sponsorships – Financial Aid: Tutees are not permitted to access the Financial Aid Sponsorship if they are already receiving another form of Sponsorship for Peer Tutoring.

This policy outlines the requirements for tutees when requesting peer tutoring appointments and what happens after a tutee has requested a tutoring session.

  • Peer Tutoring appointment requests must be made 12 hours in advance of the appointment. Tutees must check their email for notifications that the booking has been accepted by the tutor.
  • Last minute appointments: Appointments requested between 12 and 24 hours before the session are considered last minute appointments and a special cancelation policy applies. See the Cancelation policy for full details.

Tutees/Tutors can see their session requests and accepted bookings in the Calendar in the Peer Tutoring Booking system.

  • Notifications: Once a tutor has accepted or declined the booking request, the tutee will receive a notification email.
    • If the request has been accepted, it will show as “Accepted” in the calendar.
    • If the request has been declined, the tutee should look for another available time slot or another available tutor.
    • If a session request has not been accepted 1 hour before the session and shows as “This event is waiting for a response” in the calendar, the tutee can contact slc@algonquincollege.com.
  • Tutoring Session: Tutees and tutors must join online tutoring sessions by clicking “Actions” and “Open Zoom” in their Dashboard in the Peer Tutoring Booking system. The location of in-person sessions is confirmed by the tutor.

If a tutor would like to receive tutoring, they must inform the SLC Coordinator, Evgeniya Minakova, at minakoe@algonquincollege.com.

This policy defines what constitutes as a no-show and explains the consequences for tutees or tutors when they fail to arrive/attend a scheduled appointment.

  • Tutors or Tutees who fail to cancel and do not show up for their appointments are marked as a No Show: In case of no-shows, tutors and tutees are only required to wait 15 minutes.
    • If a tutor does not show up within 15 minutes of the appointment start time, the tutee is entitled to a refund. The tutee should email the SLC Kiosk at slc@algonquincollege.com to report a no-show and request a refund within the next 7 days. Alternatively, the tutor can arrange a make-up session at a new time. No new booking requests are required in this case.
    • If a tutee does not show up within 15 minutes of the appointment start time, the tutor is entitled to receive payment for their time. The tutee will not be refunded for the missed hour. The tutor should email the SLC Kiosk at slc@algonquincollege.com to report a no-show.
    • If a tutee/tutor does not show up for an appointment three (3) times, they will be suspended from accessing the tutoring service until further discussions with the SLC Coordinator.

This policy outlines the expectations for tutees and tutors when cancelling an appointment.

  • Cancelling an appointment: Tutors and tutees can cancel an appointment in the Peer Tutoring booking system no less than 24 hours before the session; in this case, the tutee receives the refund. However, if a tutee cancels a session with less than 24 hours' notice, they will not receive a refund.
  • Last minute appointments cancellation: Appointments requested between 12 and 24 hours before the session are considered last minute appointments, and once accepted by the tutor, cannot be cancelled. A cancellation refund will not be issued to the tutee.

This policy includes information for students interested in becoming a tutor.

  • Tutor requirements: In order to be eligible to become a tutor, students must meet all of the following requirements:
    1. Be legally entitled to work for any employer in Canada.
    2. Be enrolled at Algonquin College in at least level 3 of a program (exceptions can be made for 1-year programs).
    3. Receive a minimum A- grade in a course(s) previously completed and selected to tutor.
    4. Maintain a Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
    5. Receive a positive reference from a Professor or Coordinator.
    6. Complete the Application and Training Requirements.
    7. Commit to at least 5 hours of availability per week.
  • Applying to become a tutor: Peer Tutoring will accept applications for tutors a few times per year. Prospective tutors must follow the instructions provided at that time.
  • Compensation: Tutors are paid $16.55 per hour.
  • Hours: Tutors are allowed to work up to 24 hours per week.

If a student (tutee or tutor) wishes to appeal the application of an SLC policy or express a concern regarding an unsatisfactory experience, they must contact the SLC Coordinator, Evgeniya Minakova, at minakoe@algonquincollege.com.

The Coordinator will connect with the student to discuss the situation in detail and determine an appropriate course of action.

Tutor Ocean User Guides

Review the user guides below to familiarize yourself with the Peer Tutoring Booking system.