Improving student success with online embedded tutor support in first-year subjects. 'A practice report'

• Published in: Student success Vol. 13; no. 2; pp. 42 - 50
• Main Authors: Kelly Linden, Sarah Teakel, Neil Van der Ploeg
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brisbane QUT Library 01.07.2022
• Subjects: Blended learning; Learning; Meetings; Methodology; Planning; Students; Tutors and tutoring; Vocational guidance
• DOI: 10.5204/ssj.2338
• ISSN: 2205-0795

Institutional commitment to the student experience in the early stages of university has the greatest potential to exceed student expectations. The cross-institutional Embedded Tutors Program provides undergraduate students with access to subject content experts from 12 first-year subjects across a regional university. Tutors provide one-on-one draft assessment feedback in subjects with a large written assessment task. A total of 428 students attended 615 tutor sessions held online via Zoom. Students who met with a tutor had higher average assessment marks and cumulative subject marks than those students who did not attend a session. Feedback from students was positive, with 78% of students rating the tutor session "extremely helpful." This study provides evidence of the value of subject-specific draft assessment feedback for students in first-year subjects.