Tutor training | Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society

Blended Learning Tutor Training

Procedure of the blended tutor training (Image: HWG LU)

Quality assurance in student education is important to the HWG LU. In order to support tutors in the preparation and implementation of their education, participation in a tutor training course is therefore mandatory from Sose 2014. Exceptions apply in consultation with the Department for students on part-time degree programs, among others. Participation should take place in the semester in which the tutorial is held for the first time - if this is not possible, the training must be attended in the following semester. The time spent on tutor training is remunerated as part of the employment contract.

The tutor training course is mandatory for HWG LU students; participation for tutors from Worms is voluntary.

Content and course of the training

Since the summer semester 2019, the course has been offered as a blended learning course, i.e. it takes place partly in OpenOLAT and partly in person. The knowledge transfer is primarily online, the reflection processes are carried out in a 3-hour face-to-face event and in a final webinar. Contents include the role as a tutor, activating students, obtaining and giving feedback, lesson planning and dealing with difficult situations and restless groups.

The next tutor training dates for tutors from Ludwigshafen will be available here soon.

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The concept of blended learning tutor training

In order to ensure the quality of student tutorials, many universities offer tutor training courses. They are designed to familiarize student tutors with the basics of university didactics and prepare them to hold their own tutorials. Existing training formats can hardly take into account the diversity of students' time commitments and the subjects taught. In order to pay more attention to these two aspects, the HWG LU has developed a blended learning concept in cooperation with the universities of Koblenz, Worms and Trier, which offers tutors flexibility in terms of time and at the same time teaches subject-specific didactics for the various subjects.

All universities participated in the creation of the learning materials. The materials were standardized by the HWG LU and prepared into a course in the OpenOLAT learning management system using storytelling. Texts and graphics alternate with sketch videos and tasks.

The course is flexible in its duration and can be adapted to the needs of the respective universities. It consists of seven online lessons plus the subject didactics (currently: mathematics and scientific work). The online topics include the role, opportunities for activation and feedback. Confident presentation is practiced in a face-to-face event of approx. 3 hours, and the tutors visit each other's events in shadowing sessions. Degree is followed by a webinar in which difficult situations that have already been experienced are discussed as case consultation. As a formative examination with peer and teacher feedback, the tutors submit a teaching plan.

The blended learning tutor training was tested for the first time at the HWG LU in summer semester 2019. The concept was evaluated in feedback rounds and with a questionnaire. The results show a high level of satisfaction, particularly with the varied design of the course and the use of attendance times for exchange and consolidation. The "lesson planning" assessment is perceived as helpful due to its immediate usability for everyday teaching. Compared to two-day face-to-face training courses previously held at the HWG LU, a greater ability to reflect and openness to new methods can be seen.