糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Learning Commons Earns CRLA Tutor Training Certification
糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Learning Commons has earned certification as a Level 1 certified tutor training program by the internationally recognized College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA). This designation affirms the university鈥檚 commitment to providing high-quality tutoring services that meet rigorous international standards.
鈥淭his certification means that tutors who complete our training program become CRLA Level 1 certified tutors,鈥� said Brandon Sollars, co-director of the Learning Commons. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the culmination of two years of work and ensures that our tutors are trained according to best practices in tutoring and student support.鈥�
CRLA has been a leader in academic support for more than 30 years, with nearly 1,300 members and over 2,000 certified training programs worldwide. Achieving this certification demonstrates that the Learning Commons meets CRLA鈥檚 high standards for tutor selection, training, direct service, and evaluation.
To achieve CRLA certification, Sollars attended the CRLA Summer Institute in St. Louis, where he worked alongside other tutoring programs of similar size. From there, he began the extensive application process, which involved documenting the entire training program, ensuring a required number of training hours, and aligning the program with CRLA standards.
JB Hill, dean of Ottenheimer Library, emphasized the importance of this achievement for the university鈥檚 academic support services.
鈥淭he CRLA accreditation supports the Learning Commons in its commitment to offer high-quality service and, just as importantly, provides the tutors with credentials that highlight their skill attainment,鈥� said JB Hill, dean of Ottenheimer Library. 鈥淥ne of the great things about peer tutoring is that it is a win-win, as not only do the students receiving the tutoring gain benefits, but the tutors also gain skills as well. The tutors increase their understanding of the subjects and concepts while developing their skills in problem-solving, critical-thinking, communication, and teaching.鈥�
The Learning Commons鈥� tutor training program consists of 15 one-hour sessions, with 10 hours of in-person training and five hours of asynchronous learning modules. To complete Level 1 certification, tutors must also log 25 hours of documented tutoring sessions.
Currently, three Trojan Tutoring tutors will meet all the criteria for certification by the end of the spring semester. The Learning Commons plans to offer an accelerated training institute over the summer to expand certification opportunities for tutors.
鈥淔or Trojan Tutoring, I have 14 tutors, and across all tutoring centers, we have about 50 tutors,鈥� Sollars said. 鈥淲e focus on subject-specific tutoring, primarily in introductory-level courses, though we do offer support for more advanced courses when tutors feel comfortable.鈥�
Benefits of Tutoring at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock
The Learning Commons, which opened in 2023, serves as a vital resource for students seeking academic support. In an average fall semester, the center records between 1,000 and 1,200 visits, assisting approximately 450 students.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a stigma that tutoring is only for students who are struggling,鈥� Sollars said. 鈥淏ut even if you don鈥檛 think you need help, meeting with a tutor can reinforce your understanding, introduce new study strategies, and provide an opportunity to engage with peers about the content you鈥檙e learning.鈥�
Matthew McElhanon, a senior chemistry major and Trojan Tutor, has seen firsthand how the training has helped him both as a tutor and a student.
鈥淚 wanted to improve my communication skills, and that was something tackled pretty quickly,鈥� McElhanon said. 鈥淭he training has also helped me streamline my own learning process. I intend to get my certification because I see the value in it.鈥�
The Learning Commons consists of Trojan Tutoring, the Communication Skills Center, Mathematics Assistance Center, and the University Writing Center. It offers tutoring in various subjects, primarily focusing on introductory-level courses. Walk-in sessions are welcome, but appointments are preferred and can be scheduled online at ualr.edu/learningcommons.
Sollars expressed his excitement for the Learning Commons’ future and gratitude for those who supported the certification process. With CRLA certification, the Learning Commons is poised to enhance academic success at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock by providing well-trained tutors and a supportive learning environment for students seeking to reach their full potential.
鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful to the library and to JB Hill for helping me pursue this,鈥� Sollars said. 鈥淗aving a standardized tutor training program means we can provide the best possible support to our students, and I鈥檓 excited to continue building on this achievement.鈥�