CRLA Tutor Training and Certification

Peer tutor training focuses on best practices, strategies, and tools needed to deliver one-on-one and small group peer-to-peer learning instruction. The majority of tutor training which is Tutor-trainer supervised, Interactive, Live, and in Real-time (TILR) takes place before or at the beginning of each academic semester.

Peer tutor training is conducted as follows: All NEW Northeastern Peer Tutors must attend the CRLA Level 1 Basic Tutor Training Workshop (which is TILR) on topics related to the CRLA Level 1 certification requirements prior to their hiring by Knack. We offer a number (5-7) CRLA Level 1 Basic Tutor Training Workshops each lasting 2 hours before or at the beginning of each semester. The CRLA Level 1 and Level 2 certified tutors attend a 2-hour training workshop (TILR) respectively, in accordance with CRLA Level 2 and Level 3 certification requirements, before or at the beginning of each semester. In addition, our CRLA Level 1 tutors working towards their Level 2 certification and the CRLA Level 2 tutors working towards their CRLA Level 3 certification may choose to participate in the training and mentoring of the lower level tutors by preparing and conducting various activities related to CRLA topics. Their participation in training and mentoring the lower level tutors counts towards their Level 2 or Level 3 certification respectively. Tutors receive additional tutor training (TILR) during each semester during tutors’ semester meetings (1-2 meetings per semester, 1 hour long each).

Also, in order to enhance our peer tutors’ training experience as well as provide tutors with a pathway to meet additional tutor training requirements, we have created a hybrid Canvas course for each CRLA certification level. The CRLA Level 1 Hybrid Canvas course is used to supplement and provide additional topics, as well as in-depth knowledge on topics covered during the 2 hour TILR CRLA L1 Basic Tutor Training Workshop. We enroll all peer tutors into a Hybrid Canvas course in their respective certification level after they complete the minimum of 2 hours of TILR tutor training. All CRLA Hybrid Canvas course topics have assessments that need to be completed by the tutors and graded by the instructor/director. Each assessment carries a grade of time spent on each of them (30 points for 30 minutes, 60 points for 60 minutes, etc.) determined by the instructor/director. The points earned in each assessment takes into account the time tutors spend reading or watching a PP presentation or video as well as responding to the assessment questions. Also, tutors need to earn a grade of 90% in each assessment in order to successfully complete each module; otherwise, they will be asked to repeat it. We use each Hybrid Canvas course to keep track of both tutors’ training hours and actual tutoring experience so the tutors can follow their progress. In addition, the Peer Tutors have the opportunity to participate in various activities that integrate theory and practice such as working as mentors with the lower level tutors as well as attending/presenting at the New England Peer Tutor Association (NEPTA) annual Spring conference and can earn up to 120 points or 2 hours of TILR tutor training.

The Director of PTP delivers most of the CRLA tutor training with the exception of the Writing Process which is delivered by one of the Freshman Writing faculty at NU, the Learning Disabilities training which is delivered by the Director of Disabilities Services at NU, and the ESL training which is delivered by ESL specialists at NU.

Northeastern Peer Tutoring Program certifies its tutors once a year at the end of the Spring semester at the CRLA Certification and Awards Ceremony.

Northeastern Peer Tutoring certifies tutors according to the CRLA ITTPC requirements. The CRLA Certification and Awards ceremony is held once a year, at the end of the Spring semester.

In order to become CRLA Level 1 Certified Tutor, you must:

• Successfully complete a minimum of 10 CRLA L1 topics of a minimum of 10 hours of tutor training; a minimum of 5 hours face-to-face, interactive; and the remaining 5 hours either completed via the Canvas course, Knack tutor training, conferences, etc.
• Successfully complete a minimum of 25 tutoring sessions for a minimum of 25 additional hours of actual tutoring experience

CRLA L1 Required Topics:

Basics (4 topics total): Tutoring Do’s and Don’ts, Conducting a Successful Tutoring Session, Role of the Tutor, and Administrative Policies, Record Keeping, and Reporting

Communication (2 topics total): Communication Styles, Active Listening and Responding, Question Asking Strategy, Tutoring Conversations

Learning/Study Techniques (2 topics total):  Advanced Study Skills, Goal Setting and Planning, Time Management for Tutors and Tutees, Learning Theories in Academic Support Services, and Course Syllabus Analysis

Ethics (1 topic total): Professional Ethics (academic integrity, academic honesty, copyright compliance, and plagiarism), Title IX and/or Sexual Harassment, and Compliance with the Privacy Act (FERPA)

Electives (1 topic total): Institutional Policies and Procedures, Practical Applications of Contemporary Research in the Field of Learning Assistance, and Modeling Problem Solving 

In order to become CRLA Level 2 Certified Tutor, you must:

• Provide proof of CRLA Level 1 Tutor Certification
• Successfully complete a minimum of 10 CRLA L2 topics of a minimum of 10 hours of tutor training; a minimum of 5 hours face-to-face, interactive; and the remaining 5 hours either completed via the Canvas course, Knack tutor training, conferences, etc.
• Successfully complete a minimum of25 tutoring sessions for a minimum of 25 additional hours of actual tutoring experience

CRLA L2 Required Topics:

Basics (3 topics total): Review Level 1, Use of Probing Questions, and Tutoring in Specific Skills/Subjects-The Writing Process

Communication (2 topics total): Working with Targeted Populations: Characteristics of ESL Learners, Team Building: Team Creation and Development, Role Modeling: Mentoring other Tutors, and Intercultural Communication: Cultural Awareness and Diversity

Learning/Study Techniques (3 topics total):  Memorization; Improving Memory Techniques, Note Taking in the Disciplines, and Assessing Tutee’s Needs: Tutoring Students with Different Abilities

Ethics (1 topic total): Universal Design for Learning, and Leveraging Student Information for Academic Progress Using the Tutoring WebApp

Electives (1 topic total): Identifying and Using Resources, Policies and Procedures,

In order to become CRLA Level 3 Certified Tutor, you must:

• Provide proof of CRLA Level 1 and Level 2 Tutor Certification
• Successfully complete a minimum of 10 CRLA L3 topics of a minimum of 10 hours of tutor training; a minimum of 5 hours face-to-face, interactive; and the remaining 5 hours either completed via the Canvas course, Knack tutor training, conferences, etc.
• Successfully complete a minimum of 25 tutoring sessions for a minimum of 25 additional hours of actual tutoring experience

CRLA L3 Required Topics:

Basics (3 topics total): Review Level 1 and Level 2, Conducting a Programmatic Needs Assessment Using a SWOT Analysis, Practical Applications of Contemporary Research in the Field: Researching and Presenting a Topic from L1 or L2 on SAIL, or participating on a panel discussion on SAIL, The Role of Tutoring and Learning Centers in Higher Education

Communication (2 topics total): Training and Supervising other Tutors, Group Management Skills: Team Creation and Development, and Group Dynamics  

Learning/Study Techniques (2 topics total): Self-Regulated Learning: Theory and Practice, Active Learning Strategies in any Learning Environment

Ethics & Equity (1 topic total): Unconscious/Implicit Bias

Electives (2 topics total): Conferencing Skills, Leadership Styles and Roles for Tutors: Mentoring other Tutors

For more information regarding CRLA, please visit: www.crla.net