How to Train Homework Club Volunteers

Follow‐up training

Learning objectives of module:

To identify solutions to issues that tutors are encountering
To identify resources that will assist the tutors and students in the program
To extend knowledge on learning barriers which the students may face

Time: 60–90 minutes (depending upon your agenda)

Materials:

Agenda
Resources (books, articles, websites, etc.) based on the issues to be addressed

Background:

Once tutors have been working with students for some time, they often have questions that they could not have anticipated during their initial training. A follow‐up training session helps to address these issues. The follow‐up session should be held about halfway through the program. Set a date that works for most of the tutors: a 60–70% turnout is typical.

Step One – Plan your agenda

Before the follow‐up training, ask your volunteers if they have any questions or topics they would like to discuss. Base the workshop agenda on tutors’ feedback. Deal with difficult issues before the follow‐up training so that these concerns do not take over the training session.

Step Two – Welcome and introductions

Ask all tutors to introduce themselves and to describe one thing that has surprised them in their meetings with students. Remind tutors of the importance of keeping all information discussed during the meeting confidential. This is particularly important if the tutors are high school students from the same school as the students they are tutoring.

Step Three – Discuss successes and challenges

Ask tutors to share ideas, strategies and resources they have used that have worked well. Write these points on flipchart paper.
Ask tutors to describe challenges they are facing. Write these points on flipchart paper. Often, these challenges fall into two categories: human dynamics and tutoring strategies. You may wish to group the challenges and deal with them in order of priority. Ask tutors to brainstorm solutions.