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Past Connections Conferences

2006 Conference

The 24th conference on Friday, October 20, 2006 at the Auburn Hills Campus of Oakland Community College was a great day! The theme was"Tutors: Making a Difference,"  and we made a difference to over 160 attendees! Congratulations and many thanks to conference co-chairs Scott Werhnyak and Kim Boose. See a few pictures here

Marcey Walsh Wow-ed us with her keynote and follow-up session, providing some insights and tools to help reach students.  Session Highlights included a visit to OCC's Combined Regional Emergency Services Training (CREST) facility-- a mock "city" where emergency responders learn and practice their skills. Other session topics included study strategies, tutor training, and math lab operation. 

The 2006 MTA Tutor of the Year is Mary Grochalski, a peer mentor from Delta College.

2005 Conference

MTA's 23nd Annual Connections Conference, "Making the Catch for Success," was held October 21, 2005 at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI.  The keynote address was by Terry Doyle of FSU, originator of the Structured Learning Assistance program.  The Tutor of the Year Award was presented to Daniel Aguas of Oakland University. Sincere thanks and congratulations to conference co-chairs Arlene Krellwitz and Jane Pole!

See 2005 conference pictures here.

2005 Presentations

Using Graphic Organizers
This workshop will focus on a variety of graphic organizers. Each student has a unique learning style. Using graphic organizers for specific leaning styles may help students learn new and/or difficult material.

Millennials and Motivation
This is a follow up to the keynote address on why students might not be willing to make the efforts needed to succeed in some areas of their learning but will in others. It’s more than just interest and importance that drives these decisions.

Effective Tutoring Techniques
This presentation will focus on effective/successful tutoring techniques with an emphasis on culturally diverse students. The purpose is to share with other colleges and universities our multiple methods of tutoring. In addition, we will share our personal experiences with tutoring a diverse student body and what techniques have been effective.

Increasing the Chances for a Good Catch
The presentation will discuss criteria for being admitted to the University college Program (UNCP); the contract students are required to sign; how the program uses the Academic Support Center workshops and assistance; the evaluation process at weeks four, eight and; the intrusive advising process; the SCHOLAR program; and will show retention statistics.

Making Use of an Online Mentoring Community Experience for a Lifetime
An “Online” Mentoring Program is in its second year at Ferris State University. This online community offers Mentors and Mentees an opportunity to explore the online environment via WebCT by utilizing a chat room tool, discussion threads, calendar of event tool, email and much more designed to engage participants.

Sink(?) or Swim to Academic Success
This lively presentation is based on the FISH!® philosophy. Participants will view a short FISH! Video and participate in “fishy” activities that promote a “fishy” attitude toward our students and colleagues. FISH! is “a remarkable way to boost morale and improve results” why not go FISH® ing today?

Sweating It Out: Applying Higher-level Thinking Skills in the Tutoring Session
This interactive workshop will give participants hands-on materials which incorporate higher-level thinking skills into the tutoring session. Participants will be introduced to and will be given practice with the “Sweat Page,” an exercise which combines questioning, drawing, and summarizing. Come prepared to discuss and actively participate.

Lure Them(e) In
A hands–on, tried –and-true “angle” for “catching” the theme of short stories and novels will be demonstrated. Reversing the process will work for story creation. Participants will be encouraged to share their favorite “solutions to snags,” as well. Come on in! This water (pool of knowledge) is FINE!

Structured Learning Assistance: SLA Works!
The presenter will facilitate a 50-minute informal discussion about a unique and highly successful academic assistance program that grew out of a need to economically reach large numbers of students who would not normally seek assistance voluntarily. It received the Theodore M. Hesburg Award, Certificate of Excellence from TIAA-CREF in 2000.

Face to Face: Allowing the Other to speak: An Ontological Inquiry into the Student and Tutor Relationship
According to Emmanuel Levinas, “The Other measures me with a gaze incomparable to the gaze by which I discover him”; and in the experience of student (Other) and tutor, a relationship and dialogue ensues in the search for discovering meaning; a meaning, that according to Levinas, “is said and taught by presence.”

Making Your Level II Tutor Training Meaningful for your Tutors and Beneficial for your Center
Tutors are “in the trenches” and see student needs as they develop. Through training we can help tutors to improve their tutoring/content skills and at the same time to create much-needed resources to be used during sessions and beyond. Presenters will demonstrate tutor-created “tools” and show through role-playing how they are used.

How Am I Doing?
A tutor’s guide towards maximizing their potential as facilitators of learning is based on the Improving the Attitude article of the mind tools book store. This presentation will explore attitudes and stress that affect us as tutors and provide us with tools to maximize our output as facilitators of learning.

2004 Conference

The 22nd annual conference, Reach for the Stars, was held at Delta College Planetarium and Learning Center on Saturday, October 23, 2004.

The following sessions were presented at the conference:

“Academic Support Programs at Delta College.” An overview of the drop-in tutoring center, the Peer Mentor Program and the Structured Learning Assistance Program offered by Delta College’s Teaching/Learning Center will be presented with a discussion to follow. Karen Treadway, Peer Mentor/Peer Tutor/SLA Coordinator, Delta College.

“The Difference Between Teaching and Tutoring in a Writing Center.” Sylvia Robins, Associate Professor of English, Delta College

“The Multicultural Business Tutorial Program Students In Action.” This session will focus on The Business Tutorial Program at MSU. This student-led session will cover effective tutoring sessions at MBP. Students will also address how they build a sense of community among students by offering skill building workshops and academically based sessions to help students master college. Alicia Cameron, Alexus Wallace, TaShawna Craig, Jamie Roberts (The Multicultural Business Tutorial Association Executive Board), Darrell King, Assistant Director, Kevin Leonard, Tutorial Coordinator, Michigan State University.

“Virtual Tutoring.” Kathy Schrader, Muskegon Community College, Renee Michelson, Lansing Community College, Jeff Kissinger, Grand Rapids Community College.

“Organizing a Successful “Game Plan” for Student Athletes.” The Self Study Athletic Program (SSAP) at Delta College requires participating athletes to log in a minimum number of hours of monitored study time at the Teaching/Learning Center each week. A portfolio is maintained for each student athlete to verify that they are using strategies and tactics associated with successful students. Randy Rummel, Student Development Specialist, Delta College.

“Sharing Best Tutoring Practices.” Bring your best tutoring ideas to an open discussion hosted by a group of Delta College’s Peer Tutors, Peer Mentors and Structured Learning Assistance Leaders. All participants will have an opportunity to share ideas, ask questions and address common tutoring concerns. Delta College Peer Tutors, Peer Mentors, SLA Leaders.

“Strategies for Improving Language Tutoring.” I have developed techniques that I would like to share with fellow tutors in order to increase the information they can offer to students and to other language students in their schools. Eva Villarreal, Tutor, Oakland University.

“The Boxing Match and Other Creative SI Strategies.” A successful SI should incorporate creativity to help students learn the material more thoroughly. I will share from experience some of the most creative ideas that have worked in my SI’s, such as: murder mysteries, boxing matches, chess games, and Coke vs. Pepsi tests. Dan Agauas, Supplemental Instructor for Math and Statistics, Oakland University.

“Reach for the…Toolbox! A Toolbox of Group Tutoring Techniques” Lansing Community College Tutors.

“I Hate Fractions.” A huge number of students hate fractions, but what they really hate is the confusing array of algorithms involved in doing them. In this interactive presentation, we’ll explore the reasons that so many smart students stumble over the simple ideas contained in working fractions. Will Jones, Lead Math Tutor, Kirtland Community College

“The T/LC Database.” This presentation explains the student tracking methods designed and perfected by the Teaching/Learning Center at Delta College. It also discusses the design and customization of the database and the techniques used to ensure accuracy of data collected. The process through which the database is made compatible with programs such as SPSS and Excel are also discussed. A free copy of the database model will be available to participants. Sheilanthi Chandran, Student Development Specialist, Delta College.

“Using Graphic Organizers.” This workshop will offer an overview of the reasons for using graphic organizers. A number of GOs will be discussed with specific examples of how they may be used. Jim Valkenburg, Director, T/LC, Delta College.

“Advanced Cornell: Beyond the Basics.” Lois McGinley,Director of Student Success Services, Macomb.

“Left-Handed Learning: Tutoring the Right Brain Learning Style.” An often overlooked concept in tutoring is the difference in learning style between left and right brain learners. In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore the differences. We’ll also discuss ways to recognize the “hidden” left-hander (right handed writers with left brain tendencies). And we’ll discuss how to tutor the right-brained learner. Although many examples that we look at will be math-related, the early part of this workshop should be of interest to tutors of all subjects. Will Jones, Lead Math Tutor, Kirtland Community College

“Making Tutoring Systems More Efficient.” Presenting on ways of making tutoring systems more efficient, focusing on the use of Virtual Tutor Coordinator—software that allows a school’s tutoring program to be arranged and scheduled on-line. This new software greatly facilitates the job of the tutor coordinator, and makes tutoring easier and more accessible to students. Guy Goldstein, Programmer.

“Walk this Way: Tutoring Multiple Students on a Walk-in Basis.” With the aid of a slide show and short video, this presentation will describe the organization and practice of tutoring at the Delta College Teaching/Learning Center. Unlike most other colleges and universities nationwide, tutoring services at Delta are offered primarily on a walk-in basis. This workshop will provide an opportunity to examine and consider this type of tutoring service. Jason Schroeder, Dave Witbrodt, Tutors, Delta College. Room 212.

The 21st Annual Conference, Making Tutoring Available, was held at the Fetzer Center of Western Michigan University on Friday, October 24, 2003. 

The following sessions were presented at the conference.

"Reading (and Writing) Math Problems; Writing (and Reading) Science History, Social science, and Literature: Integrating Reading as critical Thinking in the Tutorial Session" Neil Michaels and Helen Woodman, Ferris State · This session will explore the role a tutor can play in helping students develop critical thinking skills using a variety of techniques across the curriculum.

"Error as Part of the Learning Experience." Will Jones, Kirtland CC · This double session will deal with the positive ends to which student error can be turned by the tutor. Learning can actually be enhanced by student error if the tutor can use it effectively. The session will include a discussion of the different types of errors.

"I'm Not Broken , I'm Deaf: Tips On Servicing Deaf Students" Callina Henson, OCC · This workshop will help you understand and become more effective with Deaf students by gaining insight into Deaf culture, the differing academic views of Deafness, and the uniqueness of ASL. Anyone who works with or comes into contact with Deaf students will find this session beneficial.

"Tutoring: What's In It for Me?" Linda Gross, MSU · We all focus so much on our students' learning that we sometimes forget how the experience of tutoring affects the tutor. This session will explore tutoring from a career development perspective--helping the tutor to explore how they can apply the skills they have developed.

"Shades of Gray: The Ethics of Tutoring" Rich McMullen, WMU · How is a tutor to know what the "right" thing to do is when working with students? Is there ever one "right" thing to do? Attend and find out! "Role Modeling for Tutors" Rich McMullen, WMU One underappreciated but very important role for tutors is that of role-model for the students with whom they work. This session will explore role-modeling in general and then more specifically in the context of the tutoring session.

"Access in the Classroom: Learning and Disabilities" Dorothy Fancher, WMU · Disabled Student Services In the same way that physical barriers need to be considered and then reduced or eliminated for our disabled students--so to do barriers to learning in the classroom and tutoring session. This session will examine various ways access to learning can be increased in these settings.

"Reconciling Faculty and Student Expectations of Writing Centers" WMU · Writing Center Staff Faculty members and students often have two very different perspectives on what a writing center is and what the tutors there can and should be doing. These perspectives are also often very different from that which the writing center staff holds. How can these three disparate views be reconciled? Attend this session and help us come up with an answer!

"A Discussion of Michigan Community Colleges and the 2003-2004 FIPSE Grant" · Kathryn Schrader, Muskegon Community College This round-table discussion session will deal with the details of the 2003-2004 FIPSE grant and how it can help your program. For community college programs only.

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2002 Conference

The 20th Annual Fall Connections Conference, Maxims To Move 'Em, was hosted by Mid Michigan Community College.  The following sessions were held at that year's conference.

USING CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES IN YOUR TUTORING SESSIONS · Michelle Bruner, Learning Specialist, and Annette Feravich, Supplemental Instruction and Tutoring Assistant Coordinator, GSA, Wayne State University · The aim of all learning centers and universities in general is to aid students in learning material more effectively and efficiently than they might otherwise learn on their own. Different instructional styles can lead to different learning outcomes and instructors can be faced with disappointing evidence that what is taught is not always learned. Information that hasn't been learned often remains unlearned once testing has taken place. Using Classroom Assessment Techniques, Tutors and Supplemental Instruction Leaders (Sls) can monitor the learning process by periodically assessing student skills. Techniques include specific strategies that allow Tutors and Sls to immediately assess students' prior knowledge, critical and creative thinking skills, problem solving skills and application of knowledge.

"READING, `RITING AND 'RTHMETIC: READING AS THINKING: INTEGRATING READIN INTO THE TUTORIAL SESSION" · Helen E. Woodman, Ferris State University · Participants will learn to incorporate reading strategies into their tutorials in a variety of subjects-mathematics, science, history, English-and practice techniques to lead students to prepare, process information and react to their assignments. This session will be "hands on" encouraging discussion of applications in specific tutorial sessions and practice with various techniques.

MCCVLC: TUTORING ONLINE · Mike Wahl, Executive Director of the Michigan Community College Virtual Learning Collaborative (MCCVLC) · The Michigan Community College Virtual Learning Collaborative has recently been awarded a FIPSE Grant (Funding for the Improvement of Post Secondary Education). This grant is to develop online student support services for students taking online classes. Attend and find out what this will mean for tutoring and the people responsible for tutorial areas. Your ideas are extremely important to this informational session.

DESIGNING A DREAM MATH LAB · Mary Ellen Rivers, Assistant Professor; Jane Mays, Instructor Grand Valley State University · This session will be an informal discussion of the many things that make a Math Tutoring Lab successful and, if faced with designing a new Math Lab, what our "dream lab" would be. Discussion will focus on physical space, tutor training, room configuration, facilities, and student-faculty meeting areas. Other areas of interest are open to discussion.

MULTICULTURAL BUSINESS TUTORIAL ASSOCIATION presents "TUTORING FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS" · Lacretia Lever, Jessica Fischer, Mark Garcia, Jose Torices, Deanna Reamer, Harold Harrington, lndia Campbell Multicultural Business Tutorial Association, Michigan State University · This session, lead by the Multicultural Business Tutorial Association, will focus on their successful program. Get helpful tips on working with students, motivation, and developing your own tutors. Understand the theme of, "why tutors tutor." Learn from a successful group!

LEARNING STYLES ASSESSMENT · Colleen Gaffney, Academic Counselor/Instructor Erica Smits, Graduate Assistant Northern Michigan University · What is your preferred learning style? How can you assess your tutee's learning styles in order to best assist them with their tutoring sessions? How can we go beyond our preferred style to help us learn and remember more? This workshop will explore the different learning styles in a fun and interactive format!

SHADES OF GRAY: THE ETHICS OF TUTORING · Richard McMullen, Academic Services Coordinator and MTA Board President Western Michigan University · An important but often underemphasized aspect of the training of tutors is the consideration of ethical issues. As tutors and as the people who train them, we are faced with the reality that ethical questions often do not have easy or self-evident answers. This workshop will provide attendees with the opportunity to view, read, and discuss a variety of "ethical dilemmas" and then consider their significance for their own programs.

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2001 Conference

The 19th Annual Fall Connections Conference, Motivating, Training, Achievement, was hosted by Oakland University. The following sessions were held at this year's conference.

Tutor Training: F2F, Online and Other Options · Presenters: Elizabeth Dewey & Jane Speer, Delta College · Half of your tutors can't attend the scheduled training session; how can you provide access to adequate required training? Explore alternate methods of instruction such as online, computer-aided, video, conferences, and workshops. How can you document and access training in a non-f2f, unsupervised environment?

Vocabulary Enhancement Workshop · Presenter: Sandra Karr, Mid-Michigan Community College · This interactive Power Point presentation will focus on helping students to increase their individual vocabularies. A brief historical background of the English language will initiate the session with emphasis on dictionary and Thesaurus usage. Prefixes, root words, and suffixes will be utilized to show students how their vocabularies can be increased by merely learning some of the word parts. Attendees will be interactively involved through discussion and participation in the Power Point area. Handouts, as well as an overview of the session, will be available.

Assisting the Adult Writing Student · Presenter: Lvnda Ferry, ASA, Muskegon Community College · Tutoring the adult writing student presents an opportunity to reassure, revitalize, and ready those who may lack fundamental grammar, context, and punctuation skills needed to succeed in college. This workshop will address some common fears and struggles students demonstrate, and will provide practical ways that tutors can eliminate these stumbling blocks by creating a trusting relationship, thus enabling our students to enjoy learning these all important writing skills. There will be time to discuss and share ideas that have worked for you.

Techniques for Tutoring the Learning Disabled · Presenter: Rachel Owensby, SI Leader, Oakland University · This discussion will address the needs that learning disabled students of mathematical sciences have, that traditional students do not. Simple techniques for tutoring sessions will be outlined and tailored specifically to the learning disabled student with an emphasis on increasing retention and improving concentration skills.

The Online Tutoring Revolution · Presenter: Kathryn J. Schrader & Thomas J. Donahue, Eds., Ph.D., Muskegon Community College · After a short demonstration of a highly developed tutoring web site, online tutoring issues will be discussed, including: integrity, recruitment, training of students and tutors, FAQ's, software, hardware, connectivity, policies, security, privacy, abuse, advantages and disadvantages, and use of the tutoring site as a community based service. This session should particularly benefit those individuals who manage online tutoring at their schools. Participants will also learn how to effectively implement online tutoring in their schools. Handouts will be made available so that they may access the site listed above any time thereafter.

Tutoring: A two-way street to learning. · Presenter: Sarah Lewis & Lydia Vanlerberghe, Writing Consultants, Oakland University · How can tutors constantly gauge and reevaluate their tutoring effectiveness before, during, and after the tutoring session? This informal discussion will include a workshop designed to aid the tutor in understanding different learning styles. We will focus on being able to step back and cast an unbiased eye on the tutoring session while avoiding common tutoring pitfalls.

Who's Next? Tutoring Individuals, not categories of problems. · Presenter: Catherine P. Haar, Ph.D., Oakland University · The workshop will entail a very brief presentation and overview, then work in small groups, then sharing in a group-of-the-whole. Sample papers, names removed, will be provided from students who have agreed to make their work available and have signed a release form.

Role Modeling for Tutors · Presenter: Richard McMullen, Western Michigan University · An important but often underemphasized aspect of the training of tutors is the consideration of the tutor as role model. As tutors and as the people who train them, we are well aware that, like it or not, tutors will often become role models for the students whom they serve. This workshop will provide attendees with the opportunity to both discuss and participate in a number of activities designed to demonstrate the dynamics of role modeling.

One Size Doesn't Fit All · Presenter: Lansing Community College Tutors, Lansing Community College · This workshop will discuss the design and use of modules for ongoing training, as developed by tutors for tutors. Modules for `empowering students', `campus resources', and 'tutoring students with learning challenges' will be shared. Attendees will experiment with sample activities and materials as well as participate in a wrap-up discussion.

SI - The Secrets to Success! · Presenter: Mychal Thom, SI Leader, Oakland University · Although SI is a great program, there are some keys to leading a successful SI session for all students. Taking into consideration that there are a multitude of different types of students in the class that may need the material explained in a few different ways, the S1 instructor must be on his/her proverbial "toes" when leading this special study session. This presentation will focus on how to make a SI session as effective as possible, and will also give the participants an opportunity to experience a mock SI session led by Mychal Thom, SI leader for introductory biology.

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2000 Conference

The 18th Annual Fall Connections Conference, Tutoring 2000: New Starts, New Views, was hosted by Michigan State University and Lansing Community College.  The following sessions were held at that year's conference.

Learning Disabilities and Post Secondary Education · Presented by Wrenetta Green · The American with Disabilities Act has heightened public awareness of the needs and rights of persons with disabilities. The Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination solely on the basis of the disability of an "otherwise qualified" person seeking admission to any college or university. The Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) established criteria for verifying learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders to accommodate special needs' students or to develop policy for accommodations. This round table will explore the AHEAD criteria. The American Council on Education (ACE) composed of nearly 2,000 institutions of higher learning and national regional education associations, is the country's major nongovernmental voice for postsecondary education. The Council works to provide leadership on issues of broad consequence to postsecondary education.

Teams Building Tools · Presented by Jane Speer & Elizabeth Dewey · Participants will use the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) to collect ideas for learning tools and apply these tools to learning styles. This technique is easily adaptable to many tutoring situations.

Tools of the Trade: Linking Problem Solving to Techniques & Math Applications · Presented by Apryl Clay and Darlene Kohrman · This workshop will focus on introducing math educators to various problem-solving techniques that can be modeled when solving application problems for students. Workshop participants will receive hands-on experience as they role-play strategies and apply techniques to math problems to be solved during the workshop.

Shades of Gray: The Ethics of Tutoring · Presented by Richard G. McMullen, Jr. · An important but often underemphasized aspect of the training of tutors is the consideration of ethical issues. As tutors and as the people who train them, we are faced with the reality that ethical questions often do not have easy or self-evident answers. This workshop will provide attendees with the opportunity to view, read, and discuss a variety of "ethical dilemmas" and then consider their significance for their own programs.

Learning and Communication Styles · Presented by Pegge Adams · This workshop will explore strategies for gearing your tutoring sessions to the unique style of the learner.

Prescription for Success - TLC for HealthCare Students · Presented by Dr. Stephanie Baiyasi and Karen Constan · Delta College has developed a student orientation program for nursing and allied healthcare students in an effort to increase student success and retention. This session will give you an overview of rationale, design and development of our workshop.

Hip-Hop, Be Bop and Do-Rags: Do Cultural Stereotypes Influence Tutoring Sessions? · Presented by ·

Debriefing the Multiple Choice Exam · Presented by · This session focuses on debriefing one-best-answer and extended-matching multiple choice exams. Skills to teach students are stressed and implemented in an interactive workshop format. This session is appropriate for tutors/learning specialists.

Tutoring the "Tudes": Math Attitude and Aptitude · Presented by Will Jones · Changing a student's math attitude is often the first step in improving a student's math aptitude. This presentation is designed to explore the causes and effects of poor math attitudes and to offer some specific strategies in changing a student's negative math self image. 

Intervention Promotes Retention: Successful Study Strategies for the Developmental Student · Presented by Jane Pole & Arlene Krellwitz · To meet the challenges of retaining the developmental student a strong intervention component is indicated. This session will show how faculty and support services can implement a successful study strategies program with collaboration. Students meet weekly with an advisor/instructor. Students benefit from study skills appointment instructed by a para-professional or peer tutor that promotes academic success.

Preparing for Success · Presented by · This presentation will discuss instructional techniques that tutors can share with students to help them learn how to focus on the learning objective, how to navigate the enormous amount of assigned readings and how to assimilate new knowledge with previously-learned information or processes.

New Starts, New Views: Building on Strengths in Tutoring Students with Disabilities · Presented by Helen E. Woodman & Lydia Vanlerberghe · Tutors and staff working with students with disabilities need to understand specific disabilities and specific student needs in order to build on strengths rather than to remediate weaknesses. This "hands-on" session will concentrate on new views of assisting student with disabilities ( and all students).

Helping Students Learn is more than Knowing the Course Material · Presented by Jan Heerspink · Tutors can know all they need to know about history or psychology or biology or ..., but unless they know something about how we learn, their knowledge may not be very helpful. This session will provide a framework for tutors and tutor trainers in how learning works. Through explanation and practice, participants will get a user-friendly understanding of the learning process and some practical application to improve tutoring. Warning: if you have attended Jan's sessions at MTA conferences of past years, some of the content will be familiar.

Welcome to Multiple Intelligences: The Role that Everyone Plays · Presented by LCC Tutors · The goal of this session is to describe the eight "ways of knowing" as formulated by Dr. Howard Gardner of Harvard University, and to offer strategies for helping tutors not only learn to recognize their students' most effective learning styles, but to build on those strengths.

Spanish Support: A New Academic Assistance Model · Presented by Wendy Marty · This session will explain the rationale for establishing a new academic assistance model, describe the selection process for the student leader, outline the training format, define the supervision model and share typical lesson plans for the sessions. Reports will be presented to show results for students who attend Spanish Support compared to students who did not attend the sessions.

Visual Learning Workshop · Presented by Gloria C. Henry · This workshop engages the educator in creative writing process that will enhance a photograph created on Polaroid 600 series Write On Film. This workshop is developed for non-art educator and demonstrates an amazing new film and Watergraph technique.

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1999 Conference

The 17th Annual Fall Connections Conference, Tools for Tutors, was hosted by Baker College.  The following sessions were held at that year's conference.

Learning Styles & You · Presented by Ronnie Bordine, Assessment and Applications Dean of General Education, Baker College · In order to "learn how to learn", it is very important to learn how you presently take in and process information. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of your individual learning style will allow you to make adjustments, so that you may reach your fullest potential in whatever you wish to do or learn. Assessing your learning style is the first step toward achieving maximum yes of your brain power. We will examine the Dunn and Dunn model, Gardner's Multiple Intelligences, and Left/Right Brain characteristics.

The Socratic Study Technique · Presented by Stacia Scarborough, Coordinator, Academic Support Services School of Human Medicine, Michigan State University · This is a workshop for all direct service workers, such as tutors and learning specialists. This session will focus on the Socratic Questioning Technique for inclusion in traditional tutoring or as an instructional component to strengthen student learning skills.

Using Diagnostic Quizzes · Presented by Jeff Vande Zande, SI Tutor Coordinator, Oakland University · and Prescriptive Reviews in Mathematics · Heather Molitoris, Supplemental Instruction Leader, Oakland University · The presenters will discuss the implementation and benefits of using diagnostic quizzes in Supplemental Instruction sessions to determine where students lack prerequisite skills, especially in math courses. Further, they will show how math review videotapes can be prescribed to help students refresh essential mathematical skills.

Making the Connection: Using STRUCTURE In Tutoring Special Needs Students · Presented by Helen Woodman, Assistant Director, ASC, Oakland University and Sarah Lewis ASC Tutor, Oakland University · Tutors are builders of connections during the tutorial session. One of the basic goals of a tutorial session is for tutors to give students tools, a STRUCTURE upon which to build learning. By " Setting goals," "integrating and modeling Time Management," practicing "Realistic Assessment," " Using Innate Strengths" as building blocks for learning, "Consolidating Material," modeling "Test-Taking strategies," Utilizing Support Services," expecting and modeling Responsibility", and respecting on-going "Education" (both inside and outside the tutorial session) the tutor validates the hard work it takes Special Needs students to achieve the same level of mastery of material as other students and supports the Special Needs student in his/her academic endeavors.

Handling ESL Students in the Writing Lab · Presented by Judy Mroz, ESL Coordinator, Grand Rapids Community College · This session will present strategies for communicating with ESL students and making comments on ESL student papers. Presenter will discuss using writing tutors to provide other ESL support services, such as administering English Placement tests, as well as leading pronunciation and conversation tutorials.

Roundtable on Student Responsibility · Presented by Marie Pokora Coordinator of Peer and Professional Tutoring, and Darcy Swope, Professional Tutor, ATC Open Computer Lab, Grand Rapids Community College · This session is a roundtable discussion on the topic of how to ensure student responsibility in Tutorial/Computer Labs. College and university staff members are invited to share ideas on how to operate a Tutorial/Computer Lab so that students will learn how to become self-actualizing, independent learners.

The Virtual College & Implications for Tutoring · Presented by Mary Jane Bond, Coordinator for Student Services Michigan Community College Virtual Learning Cooperative · Renee Mickelson, Lansing Community College · Becky Powers, Kellogg Community College · Carol Silverman, Kirtland Community College · Mary Jane Bond will begin this panel/discussion with an explanation of the current status of the virtual college in Michigan: what's happening, who is involved, what the future holds. Renee Mickelson will talk about some early experiences that her department has had tutoring courses from the virtual college, and Becky Powers will talk about the preparations her department is making to handle tutoring at Kellogg. Carol Silverman will facilitate Q &A and informal discussion. A table will be designated at lunch for those who wish to continue the discussion. This presentation is aimed primarily at tutor coordinators--and is meant to serve only as an introduction to some of the aspects of this new and complex issue in tutoring.

Tutoring Adult Students with Learning Disabilities · Presented by Wrenetta Green, Educational Development Specialist School of Human Medicine, Michigan State University · Effective tutoring of academic support skills with LD students requires a variety of instructional strategies. This session presents factors to consider in developing a plan with the student, such as strengths and weaknesses, disability pattern, and learning style. Information on the Americans with Disabilities Act, AHEAD (Association on Higher Education and Disability), and confidentiality issues will also be presented.

Touting Your Tutors: Tools for Tutor Recognition · Presented by Elizabeth Dewey, Student Development Specialist, Delta College · Jane Speer, Tutoring Coordinator, Delta College · Student tutors are worth their weight in gold, but our budgets won't match their worth! We'll discuss the low-cost and high-profile ways we've developed to recognize and reward student tutors, and help you brainstorm similar resources on your campus.

Shades of Gray: The Ethics of Tutoring · Presented by Richard G. McMullen, Jr., Academic Services Coordinator, Western Michigan University · An important but often underemphasized aspect of the training of tutors is the consideration of ethical issues. As tutors and as the people who train them, we are faced with the reality that ethical questions often do not have easy or self-evident answers. This workshop will provide attendees with the opportunity to view, read, and discuss a variety of "ethical dilemmas" and then consider their significance for their own programs.

Tools of the Trade: Linking Problem Solving and Techniques & Math Applications · Presented by Apryl Clay and Darlene Kohrman, Western Michigan University · No...no!! Anything but story problems!! This workshop will focus on encouraging math tutors to utilize various problem solving techniques when working with students who are anxious about application problems. The ultimate goal of linking problem-solving techniques to math applications in tutoring is to improve students' problem-solving performance.

Special Strategies for Special Students · Presented by Genene Warren, Lead Tutor, Kirtland Community College · Special workshops and seminars developed by the Tutorial Department of Kirtland Community College to better serve "special students," the learning disabled and academically disadvantaged members of our student population, are discussed in this presentation. The session is geared toward coordinators, but may be useful to tutors working with special students.

Cultural Diversity--Traditions Build Foundations · Presented by Lansing Community College Tutors · To meet the challenges of the 21st century, we need to build a strong foundation for working with people of various backgrounds. Developing an appreciation for diversity is a key to facilitating student learning. This fun, interactive session will explore various cultural traditions through a game format.

Technology and Tutoring Program Management · Presented by Staci Doty, Professional Tutor; Candy Norder, ASC Secretary; Laurie Witczak, ASC Secretary; Grand Rapids Community College · A short demonstration of a Microsoft Access program called the Tutor Profile designed to match tutors and students based on time availability and course requested. The program will maintain academic and personal information on both tutors and students. It will sort and filter based on individually selected criteria and has tremendous querying capabilities.

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Conferences 1983-1998

• Connections XVI: Tutors' Responsibility at Muskegon Community College, October 23, 1998
• Connections XV: Roadways to Success at Grand Valley State University, October 12, 1997.
• Connections XIV: Building a Learning Network at Wayne State University, November 1, 1996
• Connections XIII: Linking for Success at North Central Michigan College, October 6, 1995
• Connections XII: Uniting Traditions & Technology at Baker College, Flint, November 4, 1994
• Connections XI: Meeting the Challenge/ Causing the Change at Washtenaw Com College, November 12, 1993
• Connections X: Celebration of Tutoring In Michigan at Macomb Community College, October 23, 1992
• Connections IX: Motivated to Tutor/ Motivated to Learn at Kirtland Community College, October 11, 1991
• Connections VIII: The Active Learner at Oakland University, October 12, 1990
• Connections VII: New Directions for a New Decade at Michigan State University, October 20, 1989
• Connections VI: Learning to Tutor/ Tutoring to Learn at Grand Valley State University, October 14, 1988
• Connections V: Promoting Collaborative Learning at Delta College, October 16, 1987
• Connections IV: Partners Striving for Success at Michigan State University, October 24, 1986
• Connections III: Building Active Learning at Highland Park Community College, October 11, 1985
• Connections II: The Art of Tutoring at Schoolcraft College, November 2, 1984
• Connections I: Tutoring is Sharing Learning at Lansing Community College, October 7, 1983

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