The Pforzheimer Learning & Teaching Center provides opportunities to help students maximize their educational experience and realize their academic potential. All PLTC academic support programs are peer-led and peer facilitated. All PLTC peer educators receive thorough training is developed and delivered by the PLTC for all PLTC sponsored peer educators (tutors, SI Leaders, Academic Success Coaches and Public Speaking tutors. There are no “out-of-pocket” costs to Wellesley students who participate in PLTC programs. All PLTC tutors and other peer educators are Wellesley students who have demonstrated academic excellence in their chosen departments. The following types of content tutoring are currently offered:
Drop-In tutoring programs
Café Tutoring – Set hours in which one or more tutors are available to help with material from multiple courses within the discipline. These are drop-in style hours. While advance sign up is not necessary it helps the tutor plan for their time which translates to a more effective tutoring session for students.
Attached Tutoring - Regularly scheduled tutor office hours in support of a specific course and/or section. No appointment is necessary, but it is preferred.
Embedded Tutoring - In-class assistance tied to a specific course/section/professor with additional scheduled office hours outside of class. No appointment is necessary, but it is preferred.
Appointment based tutoring
Assigned individual tutoring - Unlike other types of tutoring, one-on-one, individual meetings have limited availability (3 hours of tutoring per course per semester). Please search by our course name and number or contact the Attached, Embedded or Café tutor by email. Appointments are necessary, but can be made “on the fly” space permitting.
Small group tutoring - Available on a limited basis for up to six students per session. Drop-in attendance is accepted on a space-available basis but reserving a seat in one of these small groups sessions is highly recommended.
Supplemental Instruction-SI is an internationally recognized academic support program similar to content tutoring with the added benefit of regularly scheduled out of class workshops that focus on the most challenging course content in a friendly, welcoming environment. SI is open to students at all skill levels and is based on collaborative learning techniques proven to be effective in helping students improve their understanding of the course materials and assignments.
The ASCs are residence hall-based peer coaches who provides academic support to students across all class years. ASCs offer one-on-one coaching, small group workshops, campus-wide events, course selection and registration help, useful study skills and weekly drop in “Motivation Stations”, They also serve as a referral agent, helping students find the appropriate academic support service.
Specific skills that ASCs help students with include note-taking, test-taking, memorization, communication, and time management. ASCs work in collaboration with faculty, the Registrar’s office, Residential Life and a host of other departments and offices across campus.
Public Speaking Tutors- The Public Speaking tutors are PLTC peer educators who work with faculty to help students prepare for a variety of speaking intensive course assignments. They are also available to meet with any Wellesley student outside of those enrolled in the Maurer Public Speaking program who would like to improve their public speaking skills in preparation for job interviews, Tanner and Ruhlman presentations and a variety of other venues.
