What is active academic tutoring?
While there is no format for what a tutoring session should look like, sessions eligible for volunteer hours should involve active academic tutoring. Please read this FAQ to learn which sessions are eligible for volunteer hours.
Active academic tutoring means that:
The session focuses primarily on the designated study topic.
The tutor actively teaches or engages with the learner, either through chat or verbal communication for most of the session.
Sessions with unreasonable extended periods of silence.
Sessions with prolonged casual/off topic conversations that exceed 10-15% of total session time (initial introductions and icebreakers with multiple learners are allowed and encouraged).
Sessions where learners are primarily taking practice tests on completing assignments on their own.
Note: If you’re part of a structured program (such as the SAT Bootcamps or College Advice Workshops), please follow the session structure guidelines shared with you by the program manager.
No, you don’t need to speak constantly. Learners may need some quiet time during the session to process material or think through problems—that’s okay! Also, as a tutor you want to encourage your learners to speak/ participate through chat.
Active tutoring simply means that you should be engaging with the learner frequently throughout the session. There should not be unreasonable extended periods of silence.
Yes! Casual conversations are important for relationship building and are encouraged but they should remain brief and relevant, and should not exceed 10-15% of total session time.
Yes, you can. However, these should only be hosted in subworlds/topics that are not eligible for volunteer hours such as study spaces, community events, etc.
Note: Sessions eligible for volunteer hours should include active academic tutoring. Read this FAQ to learn more about which topics / subworlds are eligible for volunteer hours.
If your session is flagged for volunteer hour mining, your account may be suspended. Also, you will become ineligible to apply for the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) through Schoolhouse.
What is active academic tutoring?
Active academic tutoring means that:
The session focuses primarily on the designated study topic.
The tutor actively teaches or engages with the learner, either through chat or verbal communication for most of the session.
What is NOT considered active academic tutoring?
Sessions with unreasonable extended periods of silence.
Sessions with prolonged casual/off topic conversations that exceed 10-15% of total session time (initial introductions and icebreakers with multiple learners are allowed and encouraged).
Sessions where learners are primarily taking practice tests on completing assignments on their own.
Note: If you’re part of a structured program (such as the SAT Bootcamps or College Advice Workshops), please follow the session structure guidelines shared with you by the program manager.
Do I need to speak constantly for my session to be considered active tutoring?
No, you don’t need to speak constantly. Learners may need some quiet time during the session to process material or think through problems—that’s okay! Also, as a tutor you want to encourage your learners to speak/ participate through chat.
Active tutoring simply means that you should be engaging with the learner frequently throughout the session. There should not be unreasonable extended periods of silence.
Am I allowed to have casual conversations with a learner?
Yes! Casual conversations are important for relationship building and are encouraged but they should remain brief and relevant, and should not exceed 10-15% of total session time.
Can I host more laid back or casual sessions?
Yes, you can. However, these should only be hosted in subworlds/topics that are not eligible for volunteer hours such as study spaces, community events, etc.
Note: Sessions eligible for volunteer hours should include active academic tutoring. Read this FAQ to learn more about which topics / subworlds are eligible for volunteer hours.
If your session is flagged for volunteer hour mining, your account may be suspended. Also, you will become ineligible to apply for the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) through Schoolhouse.
Updated on: 20/09/2024
Thank you!