Extra help for your students

Early Warning System

Within the first three weeks of the semester, you will receive an email asking you to identify any students in your sections that are inadequately prepared and appear to be in the wrong course. It is extremely important that this information be submitted as early as possible so that an advisor can intervene and get the student placed in the appropriate math course before it is too late. Using a diagnostic quiz during the first class meeting and giving regular quizzes early in the semester are two tools you can use to identify these students. You don't have to approach the student yourself about the Early Warning System, but you can if you feel comfortable doing so.

Workshops

The "What Are You Expected to Know in Your Math Class?" workshops are put on by the Math Tutorial staff and take place during the first week of the semester in order to give students an idea of where they stand in relation to the course they are taking. The workshops are course-specifc and they are open to anyone. The schedule of workshops may be found here.

Old Exams

Many students find studying exams given in previous semesters to be very useful. Most professors make their old exams available online through the math library. Old exams may be found here.

Tutoring Programs

Departmental, University, and Private Tutoring Programs

The university runs many help programs for math students, most of them being free. It can be a good idea to know your students' options, and pass this information along to them so that they can get the help they need before they fall behind.

Mathematics Tutorial Program

The Mathematics Tutorial Program is a structured small-group tutoring program aimed at students who are in jeopardy of failing their math class. Students must apply to the program and submit a copy of their class schedule. During the first three weeks of the semester, any student may apply. After the third week, students need a referral by a TA, professor, or advisor. They can get the referral form from the Tutorial Program staff, in or across from room 321 Van Vleck.

Students in the Tutorial program are expected to also be attending office hours and review sessions given by their TAs and/or professors. More information on the program may be found here.

Math Lab

Math Lab is a drop-in center staffed by TAs and paid tutors. All students in courses numbered 240 and below are welcome to drop in during regularly scheduled hours to get questions answered and help on homework. Math Lab usually opens during the second week of classes. More information may be found here.

All TAs beyond their first semester of teaching are required to put in a certain number of hours at Math Lab. Certain groups of TAs are exempt from this rule (WES TAs, Math 113 TAs, and possibly others). You will receive email from the Math Lab Coordinator early in the semester requesting that you sign up for hours. Don't take this obligation lightly! Students and other TAs rely on you to be there when you say you'll be there.

GUTS

The Greater University Tutoring Service (GUTS) is a student-run, all volunteer tutoring service for almost every discipline on campus. They specialize in holding group drop-in tutoring sessions in various locations on campus and some one-on-one tutoring. More information may be found here.

Private Tutors

The math department maintains a list of private tutors. Students can get the list of tutors, their hourly rates, and their contact information from Sharon Paulson in room 213, or here. You can also sign up to be on this list at the beginning of the semester, though it is usually a poor idea to charge your own students for private tutoring services.