Connecting With…Making the most of every interaction

Created By: Japjeet K Toor & Ana Cuciureanu

Edited By: Alessandro Volpe, Syed Ali, Mahshad Kolahdouzan, Selvi Aybulut & Amrita Khemraj

Presented By: Syed Ali & Selvi Aybulut

Peer Tutor Training

KAHSSO

Sunday, August 30, 2015

How We Connect

What means do we use to connect as

peer leaders?

How We Connect Continued…

In Person

Via Email

Phone

Instant Messaging

Social Networking

Who We Connect With

Who do we need to connect with as peer

tutors? Why?

Who We Connect With Continued…

1)Students

2)Professors

3)SSTMs

4)Other peer tutors

The Benefits Of Connecting

For KAHSSO1.Greater traffic

2.Connection comfort (enhance understanding of our services) opportunity

For You1.Professional networking

2.Communication skills

Appropriate Forms Of Communication

• Professors

• Email

• In person

• (Texting & Calling often considered inappropriate- unless otherwise specified by the professor)

• If texting, avoid use of colloquialisms

Appropriate Forms Of Communication Continued…

• Other PTs/PLs• Email, In-person, Texting &

Calling (Often for the sake of convenience and time-efficiency)

• Still important to maintain professional style of communication

Appropriate Forms Of Communication Continued…

• Students

• In-person, Social media, In-class announcements, NOT email

• Again, important to maintain professional demeanour during communication with students

Strategies To Make Effective Connections

• Respectful/Courteous• E.g. Salutation: Hello Dr. …

• Context• E.g. Introduce yourself: Position with KAHSSO

• Purpose/Objective• E.g. Explain reason why you’re talking/writing to them

• Focused/Succinct/Clear

• Closure/Appreciation• E.g. Thank the person for their time

• Future opportunities/Hope• E.g. Looking forward to hearing from you

Let’s Practice

Example #1

From: sugarandspiceandeverythingnice@yorku.ca

To: smitha@yorku.ca

Hey…

How you doin? Just wanted to let you know that we got peer tutors over here at KAHSSO ;) Meant to help your students, know what I’m saying? Send them over to SC201. Holla if you got Qs for me and I’ll A them. THANKS! ;)

Email Etiquette

• Reminder: Please follow the strategies for connecting effectively

• Remember for emailing a descriptive and concise subject line is required

• Subject:

• E.g. KAHSSO PT KINE 2011 – request to make an announcement

Example Of A Good Signature Line

Best Regards,

Mahshad Kolahdouzan, KAHSSO Peer TutorKAHSSOStong College, York UniversityT 416.735.1333mahshadk@my.yorku.ca

This e-mail may contain confidential and/or privileged information for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any review or distribution by anyone other than the person for whom it was originally intended is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please contact the sender and delete all copies. Opinions, conclusions or other information contained in this e-mail may not be that of the organization.

Example #2

From: seekinghelp@yorku.ca

To: mahshadk@my.yorku.ca

Subject: How to Get Out of York

I am missing 3 credits. What do I do? I want to do a master’s in kinesiology but I want to do it now. How can I get around this?

From: mahshadk@my.yorku.ca

To: seekinghelp@yorku.ca

Re: How to Get Out of York

Oh that’s awesome! You’re doing a master’s in kinesiology? Me too! That’ll be so fun! Can’t wait to see you!

Example #3

Student:

I need help!

Tutor:

So do I. You don’t see me complaining. You’re in university now. You gotta suck it up and work things out. But I’d be happy to offer you some help over dinner… pick you up at 8?

Example #4

Tutee: Hey, we’re struggling with this problem. Do you mind helping out?

PT: I have 15 people waiting for me. Next time, why don’t you come on time and maybe I’d actually have time to help you…

Example #5

From: besttutoreva@hotmail.ca

To: Tutee List Serv

Hey Everyone,

If you’re failing your classes, look into PT, PASS, CR

If you’re depressed talk to CDS

Go to Mahshad for any other questions

Peace out!

Reminder…

• A proper and professional email should include:

• Your name and last name

• Proper punctuation

• Short and precise message

• A proper signature

• A good finishing line (Regards, Best etc…)

Let’s Practice

1) Emailing a professor about adding you to the moodle page of the course you are tutoringa

2) Emailing a peer tutor coordinator about a tutee who is trying to be intimate with youa

3) Emailing an SSTM with concerns about the course your tutees have brought to youa

4) Emailing another peer tutor to cover your shift s

5) Responding to an email a tutee sent you, where they invite you to a party (you do not know how the tutee got your email address)

Sample Email

From: mahshadk@my.yorku.caTo: rkelton@yorku.caSubject: KAHSSO Peer Tutors for KINE 2031s

Hello Professor Kelton,

My name is Mahshad Kolahdouzan and I am the president of KAHSSO. I would like to introduce you to our Peer Tutors for KINE 2031 for the Fall 2015 Term. All the Peer Tutors are Ccd. They will be holding office hours in the KAHSSO Office (Stong 115) every week where students can drop in and ask questions. They will be in touch with you to introduce themselves. I have attached a document with their contact information. a

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best Regards,

Mahshad Kolahdouzan, BSc CandidateKAHSSO PresidentSchool of Kinesiology and Health ScienceYork University Email: mahshadk@my.yorku.caThis e-mail may contain confidential and/or privileged information for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any review or distribution by anyone other than the person for whom it was originally intended is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please contact the sender and delete all copies. Opinions, conclusions or other information contained in this e-mail may not be that of the organization.

Conversation Etiquette

• As PTs, you will frequently need to engage in a conversation with fellow students, fellow PLs, and occasionally with professorss

• The manner in which you converse with others will leave a lasting impression both on yourself and on KAHSSOf

• It is important to speak clearly and concisely- avoid mumbling, speaking too quickly, etc. S

• If you are approaching someone, begin with an introduction of yourself, followed by the reason you have engaged them.

Let’s Practice

• Practice scenario #1 – A student visits you during your peer tutoring hours and simply says “I don’t get anything…you have to help me”f

• Practice scenario #2 – You approach and ask a fellow PT/PL to help you explain a concept to a tutee.g

• Practice scenario #3 – You speak to a professor about making an announcement during tomorrow’s class.7

• Practice scenario #4 – A PASS leader approaches you and asks if you can give a specific student extra help during your shifth

• Practice scenario #5 – You would like an SSTM to make an in-class announcement for you about peer tutoring for the course

Social Media

• A useful tool for the dissemination of valuable information & feedback from students

• Also useful in building up a network of [professional] contacts

• Often advised to have a professional account independent of your personal one

Reflection

Please write down

3 things you learned

from this module!