Jane Kisling, the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) coordinator, from Granite Hills High School, said, “AVID came up with tutorials as not only a piece of paper to study from, but also as a chance to ask higher level questions beyond what you need to know.”

A tutorial group is approximately five to seven AVID students arranged in a group depending on the teachers and subjects they are enrolled in.

Tutorials are divided into three main components: the questions, the note taking section, and the summary/reflection of a tutorial worksheet.

To obtain the total amount of points for the questions on a tutorial worksheet, students must use level two and three questions. This involves using words like analyzing, comparing, contrasting, grouping, sequencing, and synthesizing for level two questions, and using applying a principle, evaluating, hypothesizing, imagining, judging, predicting, and speculating for level three questions.

Students must also have the subject listed on the left side of the question and the level of question on the right.

The two questions that a student inquires on their tutorial worksheet depends if the subject is valid for that day of the week.

“The concept of having certain questions one day and certain questions another was Tiffany Ross’ [AVID teacher at Granite] and my idea. We started it five years ago because we felt like it kept an easier focus on math at one time. Also, because the tutors are here on certain days and we arrange the tutorials according to their schedules,” said Kisling.

However, Kisling also stated that AVID will allow changes to the tutorial sessions if the students really need the help and the necessity to study for an important quiz or test.

AVID students are not allowed to ask foreign language questions in their tutorials.

“I do not see the point in tutorials if I can not have a Spanish question when that is the subject I am most struggling in. It is not helping me,” declared Adriana Felix, junior AVID student from Granite Hills.

Nevertheless, Kisling is looking for a positive change.

Kisling clarified, “The only reason we do not allow foreign language questions on a tutorial worksheet is because the tutors have issues with them, but we are working on a way to incorporate it.”

To achieve the total amount of points for the note taking section of a tutorial worksheet, students must copy down their peers and their own questions on the left hand side. The questions should be solved on the right hand side. The steps can be on either side, but must be expressed in words.

To earn the total amount of points for the summary/reflection section of a tutorial worksheet, students must include how they participated, how they benefited, and what they learned in the tutorial session.

“The summaries are very important because students can always go back and study what they learned and how they accomplished it,” said Kisling.

Whether students benefit from the tutorial sessions has been an issue of controversy.

Vanessa Felix, sophomore AVID student from Granite, explained, “Most kids just see tutorials as work. They just try to rush through them and usually do not benefit from them. I simply think they are a waste of time.”

However, the work does pay off as some students gain knowledge from the tutorial sessions.

“Tutorials further my knowledge in subjects such as Algebra 2, which I struggle in, but manage to obtain a better understanding because of the help from my classmates,” said sophomore AVID student, Berenice Contreras, from Granite.

Some students complain that tutorials are not really relevant in helping them in school.

“I think that they are a waste of time because I would rather be doing my homework than learning about classes that I am not even in,” said senior at Granite Taylor Means.

Ultimately, tutorials are a part of AVID and AVID teachers support the interactive, benefiting experience.

Kisling stated, “A tutorial is a good chance for students to learn to work in groups and teach each other the knowledge that they have. It also teaches them to work together and study because college study groups are vital. It allows them to compare notes, talk about the subjects, and critically think about their answer. Students should not only show up to the tutorial sessions, but come with a frame of mind that they are going to learn.”

To learn more: www.avid.org

Comments  

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0 #13 Marie 2011-05-13 08:11

Ah tutorials. That seems so long ago now!
And yes, of course, sometimes you'd rather be doing something else...but they did help, and it was nice bonding time with classmates.
Being a former AVID student, I don't know where I'd be in college without it. Certainly not where I am today. If it weren't for AVID, I wouldn't have changed my mind at the last possible moment, and end up at Cal Poly.
Because of AVID, I get along with college professors, I'm not afraid to talk with counselors and advisors if I have a seemingly small issue. And I find myself still doing cornell notes, something I "never" thought I'd use again!

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0 #12 Betty Saavedra 2011-01-28 19:50

I feel AVID is extremely beneficial, it helps with keeping yourself organized and makes you work harder towards college. I am a junior in Mrs.Kisling's class and I feel that it has helped me extremely. This is actually my first year in AVID and I feel that Mrs.Kisling is a really good teacher. She helps with whatever she can, and pushes you to reach your absolute best potential. AVID and tutorials are not a waste of time, atleast not to those that actually put there effort into it.

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+1 #11 Alley Whitley 2011-01-27 22:30

AVID is not a waste of time, AVID tries to help you go to college, get scholarships, and sucssed in life. Mrs. Kisling isn't perfect, but she works her butt off to make us happy and successful. And for her to see the quotes you let on this article broke her heart. If you don't like AVID, then get out of it. Don't criticize Mrs. Kisling or how she runs her tutorials. I happen to think she is doing a wonderful job and I am sad to not have her as a teacher after this year.

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0 #10 Tyler C. Jones 2011-01-27 22:27

I love how they catch ME in the background sleeping while Im supposed to be doing tutorials! Thanx Taylor Haha. On my defense, I was most likely not feeling good, but anyways. I'd have to admit that tutorials are very beneficial (if you use your time wisely). There has been countless times where I didnt have a clue how to do some pre-cal problems. I'd take my problems to tutorial groups and get the help I needed. Yes, tutorials can be a waste of time if you dont take them seriously, but they do help. Im glad that AVID requires tutorials. Dont think that they are a waste of time. They only are when you let them be.

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0 #9 Mrs. Amann 2011-01-27 21:36

I must say I laughed when I read this article! I taught AVID for two years and my students when they were seniors complained and complained about doing tutorials. Wait until you get in college kiddos. My AVID students tell me over and over again that they initiated study groups in college BECAUSE of what they learned in their AVID tutorials. There is such value in the tutorial....use it to get the maximum benefit. recommendation...ask if you can do your Spanish questions but write a translation below in English. I am guessing that none of the tutors speak Spanish....so ask if you can run your own Spanish tutorial group. There are alternatives. Remember..you can always make excuses and complain..instead...think of proactive solutions! AVID is such a gift that you will not fully realize until you are in college and tutorials will benefit you more than you know!

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0 #8 Mrs. K. 2011-01-27 20:45

I want to begin by saying THANK YOU for highlighting our amazing AVID program. I do believe several areas need to be clarified.
AVID Tutorials are done nation wide EVERY day by ALL schools who are AVID certified. There are specific strategies we must follow.
AVID tutorials are the cornerstone of our program. AVID tutorials can be successful if we push our students to realize their potential. This is why we have Level questions. They cannot just ask What?or Why?...They must think on a deeper level. For example: They can analyze, compare and contrast, synthesize, evaluate, hypothesize, imaginem, judge, predict and speculate. We expect our students to come with questions to help them better understand the subject they are struggling in. After reading this article I will be taking time to talk to each of my AVID classes and reminding them exactly what tutorials are for and why we must continue to follow the AVID curriculum.

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0 #7 Tiffany Ross 2011-01-27 18:58

Dylan..defensive..yes..but only to give the article a complete overview. Only 1 AVID teacher out of 4 was asked any questions and only 1 group of kids from that class. That is not an accurate overview of the concept or the usefulness. If you don't want people to have to defend themselves and the true program, then get the whole, complete story and actually interview more people and other teachers. Our program speaks for itself and unfortunately people do not always see the benefits of things that are good for them.

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+1 #6 Luke Hester 2011-01-27 17:55

for everyone who wants to complain about tutorials, you do not understand how immature you are...all of you guys want respect but you cant give mrs. kisling any respect. She is only doing her job to benifit you guys n u dont even realize it cause your too busy dealing with your social lives...you guys are breaking her heart and she only wants you guys to succeed!!! By: Luke Hester

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0 #5 antonio 2011-01-26 23:12

I as a freshman avid student think that turtorials can be two things to any students. First like the avid teachers say they are to help with any class that student is having trouble with. Then the second a way to kill time. If your group is working on a subject that you know already, and you do not have trouble then it is boring.

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0 #4 T. Ross 2011-01-26 23:07

I hope those that read this article understand that many students in AVID, though they "dread" tutorial time..actually benefit and enjoy it. They are with their friends and they attempt to solve problems. Also, I allow and Mrs. Kisling has allowed Foreign Language questions on tutorials. It was only after a situation that occured that it was changed in her class. Unfortunaley, some students were taking advantange and asking very simple questions even though they knew the language already. As you know, a bad apple can sometimes spoil the whole bunch. Unfortunately, sometimes we have to go to drastic measures to stop the manipulation!!

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