Momentum Embedded Tutoring
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 success and retention and decrease equity gaps in momentum courses;
- To foster student engagement inactive learning;
- To increase students' self-efficacy and skill-based competencies;
- To provide a direct connection to academic support services, which students can use throughout their academic career;
- 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 were embedded in six sections of MTH 154, five sections of MTH 161, sixteen sections of ENG 111, and one section of EDE 10.
In Fall 2025, tutors will be embedded in eight sections of MTH 154, six sections of MTH 161, twenty-six 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
77% of students in math and English courses agree or strongly agree that the presence of the tutor helped them feel more supported in their work as a student.
72% of students in math and English classes agree or strongly agree that the embedded tutor helped them be successful in the course.
“[The tutor] was warm and friendly and provided critique well without it feeling like criticism.”
--from the End-of-Semester Survey of Students in In-Person English Classes
“It was very easy to communicate with the embedded tutor, and she was available not only through email and Zoom, but also in person. She was super helpful and helped me understand the course material whenever I felt unsure or confused.”
--from the End-of-Semester Survey of Students in Online Math Classes