Does the saying “students learn from teachers and teachers learn from students” sound familiar?
For those who work at (or visit) The Learning Center, this quote accurately sums up a similar phenomenon that occurs every day during tutoring sessions: students benefit from peer educators (tutors), and peer educators benefit from students.
However, perhaps no tutoring session or event symbolizes this give-and-take relationship better than The Learning Center’s Peer-to-Peer Workshops; these are writing-centric sessions that are led by writing tutors instead of professors or faculty members.
“Many students, particularly students of a diverse background, are often very shy to ask questions in a classroom setting since English is their second language,” said Hallie Semmel, one of The Learning Center’s lead writing tutors. “I think they feel more comfortable asking questions with peers in a smaller group setting.”
No matter their background or diversity, all students who attend the sessions will gain more than just the opportunity to listen to informative lectures on popular writing topics like creating thesis statements, formulating research papers and discussing essay organization.
They will also have the opportunity to actively engage in hands-on learning opportunities.
“Those who attend get to complete exercises and worksheets that we give to ensure that the material being discussed is reinforced, a benefit that one doesn’t always get from classroom lectures,” said Semmel.
It’s clear to Selina Marcille, The Learning Center’s Writing Tutoring coordinator, that the benefits of Peer-to-Peer Workshops translate to peer educators as well.
“I think it is wonderful when our peer educators have the opportunity to help students with their learning while also becoming more knowledgeable on the subjects that are being discussed during the workshops,” said Marcille.
Semmel agreed and added that she feels as though running these workshops allows her and other tutors to become experts on the subject matter being discussed.
“It gives me a chance to brush up on my knowledge [of the subject matter being presented] and improves my communication skills when working with others.”
The Peer-to-Peer Workshop sessions began on Nov. 3 and will take place every Thursday through Nov. 17 from 3:30 p.m.-4:45 p.m. in LC 205 in the Edward S. Wolak Library Learning Commons.
The session on Nov. 9 will cover thesis statements, while the Nov.17 workshop will feature a discussion on creating strong research papers.
For more event details, students can refer to the mySNHU Master Calendar or email Selina Marcille at S.Marcille@snhu. edu with questions or inquiries.
