Peer Tutoring and Peer Assisted Learning are offered through the Marian University Academic Commons. All services are included in tuition for all undergraduate students, including our Online and ABSN programs.
The Academic Commons also hosts events to help build community among learners. Our mission is to provide you with space and place to access individualized resources to support your academic success.
We can help you:
Check out the PAL schedule. Take the lead in your learning and attend a session!
PAL is most effective for learners who attend regularly throughout the semester. Research shows learners who attend at least three sessions in a semester have higher grades than peers who attend fewer than three.
PAL sessions are regularly scheduled time outside of class, facilitated by a trained peer leader who provides a fun and collaborative learning environment. During a PAL session, learners actively work with classmates to assess their learning, deepen their understanding of course content, and develop study strategies to be successful in the course and beyond.
Supplemental Instruction (SI)
SI uses an active learning approach by integrating "what to learn" with "how to learn." This approach supports learners as they develop a deeper understanding of content and its connection to critical course concepts. SI leaders attend lectures alongside learners, taking note of questions asked during lecture to guide session planning.
Active Learning
Active Learning sessions look and feel the same as an SI session. Active Learning Leaders still meet regularly with course faculty to determine how to best support learners, but leaders do not attend lectures.
Group Tutoring
During Group Tutoring sessions, learners meet with a trained peer leader who models study strategies to support learners as they work toward independence. As they take the lead in their learning, learners will problem solve, review materials, and ask questions to clarify course concepts.
WCOnline - Schedule an Appointment Here!
Please email us at AcademicCommons@marian.edu if you need assistance with finding a tutor. Our tutors are active learners, faculty, and staff. While we cannot guarantee tutor availability, we will do our best to connect you with support.
The Marian University Academic Commons is proud to hold a Level 1 tutor training program certification through the internationally recognized College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA). This means our tutor training curriculum has been peer-reviewed and meets the highest standards in developing our tutors' understanding of ethics, learning theory, and tutoring techniques.
Learners can book an appointment with one of our trained Peer Tutors and get one-on-one individualized support for:
Our Writing Tutors can support learners in any stage of the writing process, including:
Undergraduate Writing Tutors do not provide page by page copy editing services and will not line edit or proofread documents for students. With sentence-level work, tutors will help writers learn how to identify and correct errors.
WCOnline - Schedule an Appointment Here!
Online Writing Resources:
Our Speaking Tutors are here to support learners' success in every stage of the speech-making process:
In addition to assisting with speeches and individual/group presentations, we are also here to support with managing public speaking anxiety.
The Academic Commons team has tutors who support Multilingual students with:
Both face-to-face and online tutoring appointments are available through WCOnline and should be scheduled at least 12 hours in advance.
