Elon University - Phi Psi Cli Yearbook (Elon, NC)

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LEARNING BY TEACHING Student Tutors Have Class Face it . . . there are times when even the best professor can’t help students. Whether due to conflicting schedules, time restrictions, or communication problems, students cannot always count on their professor. That’s when student tutors and assistants come in handy. Perhaps the most visible and diverse group of “student teachers is the tutors in the LRC. Supervised by Priscilla Haworth, these students are required to have both a high GPA in their field of study and faculty references. They also must complete a tutor workshop. After the workshop, these “helpers” are prepared to assist other students in one of about 30 subjects. For the students seeking assistance, the benefits are great — hut what’s in it for the tutors? In addition to a little pocket money, (tutors are paid by the college), the scholars report earning a strong sense of satisfaction. “It is very rewarding to see somebody be able to do something after you’ve helped them, says math tutor Brad Cokendolpher. A more specialized group of tutors are those who work in the new Writing Center. These students are enrolled in a special English class in which they are trained to coach other writers. Writing Center Director Barbara Gordon says writing tutors are trained to encourage troubled writers through a series of questions. In addition to attending the training class, each tutor works three hours per week in the Writing Center. In return, the tutor receives three hours of credit. Once writing tutors have completed the course, they have the opportunity to work in the center for payment by the college. But in addition to academic credit and monetary rewards, writing tutors also learn to improve their own writing, according to Melissa Allen, a junior. Once those papers are written, they probably need to be typed. Many students opt to use word processors, but find the terminals in the computer labs are confusing or threatening to novices. That’s when the computer assistants step in. These students, thoroughly trained in the field of computer sciences, also are available to help students enrolled in CIS classes. If an assignment calls for video communication, student assistants in the communications editing rooms are on hand to assist with an editing machine or help incorporate audio into a video presentation. And most students enrolled in a science class with a lab quickly learn the lab assistant can he their best friend. Science lab assistants are student who have completed the course and have been selected tor the positions. Their duties range from supervision of lab groups to setting up equipment — sometimes even grading papers and teaching portions of the lab. Whether they work in the LRC, the Writing Center, computer center, editing facilities, labs or elsewhere on campus, student teachers are an essential part of the learning process. They shoulder the responsibility of helping other students achieve a level of perfection — and they find the experience can he both academically and socially rewarding. SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT SPOT . . . Video lab assistant Rick Lashley, above, pinpoints the perfect edit. In addition to helping communications professors with various projects, Rick is available to assist students who are having trouble with their video work. MAKING GOOD USE OF A SPARE MOMENT . . . LCR tutor Stephanie Galvagna, right, a foreign languages major, works on her own homework while she waits for a student who needs help in French courses. 24 Academics and the Arts

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IS THIS A NEW CURE FOR. WRITER’S BLOCK? A stuffed dinosaur named “Boomerwang” perches atop Clarinda Lofton’s head, top left, as the honors student works on the novel she’s writing. MAYBE SHE CAN LEARN FASTER THIS WAY . . . Teaching fellow Meli Coulson, top right, adopts an unusual study position in the hallway of West’s second floor. TAKING A BREATHER . . . NCTF Karalee Little, above, relaxes after a tough day of classes and an intense rehearsal with the Construction Company. SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO CUT LOOSE . . . Honors student Meredith Hoffman, left, finds that a funny hat and silly nose help to ease the strain of academic challenges. Academics and the Arts 23

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STEP BY STEP . . . Computer assistant Darrin Eaton, left, explains the finer points ot programming to an amused Tami Glenn. WHAT’S YOUR TOPIC . . . Writing tutors Rob Tripp and Melissa Allen, below, help David Kuehl, who’s encountering problems with his history paper. HELPING WITH EXPERIMENTS is just one of her many duties. Julie Cozart explains lab procedure to freshmen Ron Willard and Steven Davis. Academics and the Arts 25