Momentum Embedded Tutoring
For Supplemental Instruction
What is Embedded Tutoring?
A derivative of supplemental instruction, embedded tutoring assigns a tutor to a course to provide academic support for students in that class. The tutor works in the classroom under the instructor's guidance to help students understand and apply course concepts and enhance student engagement. The tutor provides support to both the students and the instructor, acts as a mentor and model student, and connects the student to campus resources.
Program Objectives
- To increase student successand retention anddecrease equitygaps inmomentum courses;
- To foster student engagement inactive learning;
- Toincrease students'self-efficacyand skill-based competencies;
- To provide adirect connection to academic support services, which students can usethroughout their academiccareer;
- To support the growth of tutors in their educational and professional goals.
Courses Supported by Embedded Tutoring
- EDE 10—English Composition Preparation
- ENG 111—College Composition 1
- MTH 154—Quantitative Reasoning
- MTH 161—Precalculus 1
History
The Embedded Tutoring program builds upon existing embedded tutoring programs in the Writing and Tutoring Centers focused on developmental courses. Embedded tutoring in credit-level courses was piloted in the UVA Early Intervention Project and laid the groundwork on which the current program was developed.
Embedded Tutoring for Supplemental Instruction was piloted in the fall semester of 2024. The Tutoring Center embedded four student tutors in five MTH 154 sections, two MTH 161 sections, thirteen ENG 111 sections, and one EDE 10 section.
In Spring 2025, the program was brought to scale for all on campus and online course sections. Tutors are embedded in six sections of MTH 154, five sections of MTH 161, sixteen sections of ENG 111, and one section of EDE 10.
What the Embedded Tutor Does
In English and math courses
- Attends all classes
- Circulates during group and individual work time, answering questions and helping students work through problems or brainstorm ideas
- Invites students to the Tutoring and Writing Centers and connects them to other campus resources
- Interacts with students before, during, and after class and via online discussion boards
- Communicates regularly with professors to discuss strategies to support students in the course
- Shares announcements that highlight tutoring services and study or writing tips
- Reaches out to students individually to offer support
In math courses
- Reviews in-class work with students
- Helps students with everything from calculator issues to understanding complex formulas
- Shares math-specific study and note-taking strategies with students in class or via Canvas announcements
- Helps students prepare for exams
- Facilitates workshops to review course content, particularly before exams
In English courses
- Participates in peer workshops during class and online
- Provides feedback to individual students or small groups
- Supports students throughout the writing process, from brainstorming ideas to outlining their essays to citing their sources
- Offers asynchronous feedback on essays for students in online courses
- Works individually with students in the Writing Center, giving feedback and supporting students as they write
What Students Say About Their Embedded Tutor
83% of students in in-person English classes and 87% of students in online ENG classes say that the presence of an embedded tutor in their class made them feel more supported in their work as a student.
In both online and in-person math classes, 88% of students say they engaged with the tutor, either through talking with them in class or via discussion boards, Canvas messaging, etc.
“[The tutor] was wonderful. At first, I wasn't sure about having a tutor, and unfortunately, I didn't reach out as much because I was new to the idea, but he was very welcoming and helped me grow my work into what it can fully be and therefore helping my grade when it was really suffering.”
--from the End-of-Semester Survey of Students in Online English Classes'
“[The tutor] was super sweet and helpful, and she did a great job setting up group review sessions before tests and also encouraging us to come in for individual tutoring sessions.”
--from the End-of-Semester Survey of Students in In-Person Math Classes