Professional Study Skills Tutor

Professional Study Skills Tutor

Professional Study Skills Tutor

Description

Study Skills tuition is not the same as academic tuition in the main subject area.

DSA support is awarded forStudy Skillstuition because generalised advice given in the normal course of study may not take into account different learning skills. AProfessional study skills tutorwill, in conjunction with any specialist equipment and software provided by DSA, aim to develop the students’ skills for autonomy in the learning environment.

Professional study skills tuition is a separate program of study in which students learn ways to overcome their particular disability-related difficulties.The type of support Professional study skills tutors provide is highly specialised, which is reflected in the hourly rate usually awarded for this type of support.

A professional study skills tutor is a facilitator, not an advocate or mentor and they do not simply provide general encouragement or administrative/organisational support. Similarly, they do not carry out tasks on behalf of the student such as reading, typing, proof reading, editing, driving etc.

The professional study skills tutor encouragesthe student to take responsibility for their own learning by developing their learning skills as far as possible. The aim is to help the student maintain their own academic progress but the professional study skills tutor will not provide subject specific support or general academic assistance.

Professional study skills tutors have superb communication skills, organisational skills and flexibility to adapt to the changing needs of the students they are supporting. Therefore, any professional study skills support providedwill be tailored to the student’s individual needs, setting out clear goals and timescales for achieving those goals.

It is recognised that flexibility is required when tailoring support to the needs of individual students. However, it is also recognised that professional study skillstutors and students need a framework for their sessions so that responsibilities can be outlined and expectations can be negotiated appropriately.

As part of their role,professional study skillstutors are expected to establish and maintain professional boundaries, respect confidentiality within appropriate disclosure levels, ensure the support they provide falls within the DSA guidelines and refer students to other resources to help with queries that do not fall within the professional study skills tutorrole. For example, if a student needs help interpreting assignment questions and course materials, the professional study skillstutorwill refer the student to their OU regional centre to request additional academic support. Similarly, if the student requires basic study assistance, the professional study skillstutorwill refer the student to their original needs assessor to request a supplementary recommendation.

Students with Specific Learning Difficulties (e.g. dyslexia)

Professional study skills tuition for students who have a SpLD (e.g. dyslexia) is intended to help manage difficulties within higher education, language and numeracy through the more effective use of dyslexic thinking styles.

Professional study skills tutors provide expertise in the area of language and study skills to help students to develop learning strategies to compensate as far as possible for their specific learning difficulties. These skills are generic so are not linked to a particular academic subject.

The DSA Office recognises that students who have a SpLD may need additional study skills tuition beyond their initial DSA award. However, the DSA Office does not expect students to needstudy skills tuition for the duration of their OU studies. If a student requests additional support beyond their initial study skills tuition award, they will be required to submit supporting documentary evidence in the form of an Individual Learning Plan (ILP). More detailed guidance on ILPs is provided in a separate fact sheet.

Qualifications, skills and experience

Study helpers are employed by the student they are supporting, not by the DSA Office or Open University. The DSA Office can only assist the student with the associated cost of employing a Professional study skills tutor if the tutor is appropriately skilled, experienced and qualified. All professional study skills tutors must meet the following criteria:

  • Be educated to degree level or equivalent
  • Have a relevant* professional qualification (or equivalent relevant* experience) in the field of study skills tuition provision.
  • Have a proven record of successfully providing professional study skillstuition to studentsin the Higher Education academic environment.
  • Have an awareness of the particular challenges posed by distance learning.

*Relevant to the student’s particular disability. For example, a study skills tutor supporting a dyslexic student would have Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA) or similar.

Ideally, a professional study skills tutor will also have an up to date CRB check report.

The DSA office may ask the study skills tutor to provide evidence of their qualifications, skills and experience before agreeing to assist the student with the costs associate with employing them.

Please be aware that qualifications in subjects not related to study skills tuition provision will not be considered.

Regrettably, if the helper chosen by the student is not appropriatelyskilled, experienced and qualified to provide professional study skills tuition, the DSA Office will not be able to assist the student with the associated cost of employing them.

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