Faculty

We're here to support you and your students. Learn how faculty can integrate tutoring and other academic supports into instruction—and reach out to us to dream up other ways to help students thrive academically.

Class Visits & Workshops

Bring your class to the Tutoring & Writing Center to facilitate small-group projects, work on a specific skill or concept, or use the space, resources, and tutors to facilitate other active and collaborative learning activities.

Workshop Topics & Learning Activities

Faculty in the Learning Commons work with instructors and student peer educators to design interactive workshops that help students develop and practice essential academic skills necessary to succeed in college. Choose from the list below, or work with us to design a learning activity that meets your students' needs:

Reading scholarly articles and challenging texts
Formatting and documentation: MLA and APA
Using iLearn (Canvas) and other technology
Study skills: note-taking, time management, annotation, and preparing for in-class essays
Research at all stages, in partnership with the library
Custom class work sessions or workshops designed for your course

Check us out in the news: Learning Commons Focuses on Student Success and Access

Ways to Integrate Tutoring & Learning Support into Instruction

Promote Tutoring

Gavilan's peer tutors are ready and willing to help in many ways. You can introduce these supports in class by showing students our webpage in Zoom or in person.

Here are some quick sentences you can add to any iLearn page, assignment, announcement, or email:

Need help? Work with a peer tutor to help you learn this concept.
Confusion is part of learning! I encourage you to work with a peer tutor to learn this concept.
Good news! You can work with a peer tutor to practice this skill, study for the exam, or brainstorm for your essay.

Ready-to-Use Content for Your Courses

Sample Canvas Announcement

Need help with coursework? The Learning Commons offers free tutoring and help with research and writing assignments!

Gilroy Campus (LI 168) & Hollister Campus (A138)
Hours: Mon–Thu 9am–6pm, Fri 9am–1pm
Online appointments Monday-Friday, 9am-8pm

Services include:

Drop-in writing help

One-on-one tutoring (most subjects)

Study spaces

Computer access and printing

Online support via Zoom (Mon–Fri, 9am–8pm)

Learn More: https://gavilan.edu/student/learningcommons

Book an appointment: gavilan.mywconline.net

Questions? Email: lcwc@gavilan.edu

Sample Syllabus Blurb

Learning Support Services:
Students in this class get access to free tutoring, writing help, and study/learning support in-person and online. Peer tutors are trained and recommended by faculty. Visit us in LI 168 (Gilroy) or A138 (Hollister), or book an appointment or study room online.

Assignment Footer

Need help with this assignment? Visit the Learning Commons (LI 168 Gilroy / A138 Hollister / online) for free tutoring and writing support.

Finals & Research Support: Tips for Students

Start early: Review your notes and study guides now. Make a list of topics to review and questions to ask tutors.
Use practice exams: If available, take old exams under timed conditions to identify areas for review.
Break big tasks into steps: Tutors can help you plan research tasks, outline papers, and create study schedules and materials to help you prep for exams.
Review mistakes: Go over graded assignments or practice problems with a tutor to learn from errors.
Try group study: Bring classmates to a session or use our collaborative spaces for peer learning. Reserve a study room or just walk into LI 168 (Gilroy) or A 138 (Hollister).
Ask for study skills help: Our tutors can share strategies for time management, test-taking, and note-taking. Watch on-demand study support videos (e.g., research, exam prep, reducing math or testing anxiety): Student Success Workshops.

Embedded Tutoring

Benefits

Embedded tutoring helps create an active, collaborative learning environment and can provide students with:

Just-in-time support
Learning and study skills support
Critical-thinking practice
Connection to the college and its resources
Connection to peers
Technology and online learning support

How Does Embedded Tutoring Work?

You invite one of your former students to return as a tutor in your class.
You and your embedded tutor participate in two hours of professional learning each academic year.
The embedded tutor completes one unit of tutor training before or during their first semester.
You and the tutor receive ongoing support from Embedded Tutoring faculty and staff.
The tutor helps students feel connected to the college, develop learning strategies, and understand course concepts.
The tutor attends and participates in class as a student model and learning coach, with additional tutoring available outside class.

More Information

Embedded Tutoring for English: Jessica Gatewood, jgatewood@gavilan.edu
Embedded Tutoring for other disciplines: Megan Wong-Lane, mwong@gavilan.edu
Instructor's Guide to Embedded Tutoring
Overview of Embedded Tutoring Flyer
10 Ways Tutors Can Support Student Success