We offer small group tuition to students prior to them getting their funding
through for the DSA. However, some students find that the dynamics of a
small group session works really well for them, and we have sometimes
recommended both group and one to one tuition for students. Any students
who come along to a group session sign a register to prove attendance, and
at the end of the year we send this to an LEA as proof of attendance.
Our sessions are not compulsory, they run for three hours every Wednesday
afternoon, students can come along at any time during those three hours. We
offer tea & biscuits - the students insisted on having 'proper mugs' rather
than plastic cups, so they do the washing up, bring along their own biscuits
etc etc. The dynamics of the group are really important, but we find that
those students who do come get a lot from the group sessions that they don't
get from one-to-one sessions. They realise that they are not the only ones
grappling with a particular problem - there is a mutual self-help
atmosphere. At the end of Semester 1 last year it was really encouraging to
see them coming in with their grade marks - all without exception having
done better than they had anticipated. Although we expect a drop-off as
students are allocated their own tutors, some do continue to come along
beyond that. Some come when they have a particular problem, or an
assignment due in. The atmosphere is very relaxed and easy going and
welcoming.
We have two tutors and the sessions are run in the Disability Support Office
study skills room, equipped with PCs with specialist software on them.
Students can bring along their work and work on it, and there are some group
teaching sessions as appropriate, eg revision techniques, referencing etc.
This year on our Open Day for new students it was good to see the die-hards
from last year come along and sell the group sessions to our new students,
much better than we could have done.
Elaine Shillcock
Head, Disability Support Office
email [log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Liz Thompson
Sent: 04 November 2002 15:50
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: group tutorials and DSA
Dear Everyone
I've just started as Learning Support Officer at the University of Brighton.
Has anybody else charged group study skills sessions to individual dyslexic
student's DSA? If so, how much do you charge? Any information will be
appreciated.
Regards
Liz Thompson
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