Welcome to TIP
The Program in Brief

Tutorial & Instructional Programs (TIP) began in the fall of 2002 with the merger of two formerly independent programs: English Works! and the Tutorial Center. We maintain two websites that you will need to be familiar with: http://depts.gallaudet.edu/TIP and http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks.

The primary goals of TIP are to provide:

•   tutoring for students in all academic courses,
•   writing advice for students working on writing projects in any course,
•   literacy related training and consultation for the faculty, and
•   leadership in the University's efforts to foster better student academic skills.

Though the vast majority of students who use our services are undergraduates, increasing numbers of M.A. and Ph.D. students are coming to us as well. TIP staff is composed of six professional staff and about 120 support staff consisting of part-time tutors, writing advisors, and office assistants.  The director of TIP is Terry Coye.

The Challenges and Rewards of Tutoring and Writing Advising

Because Gallaudet students' backgrounds and communication styles vary, tutors and writing advisors are challenged to be flexible and quick to meet students' academic needs. Tutors and Writing Advisors may work with students with:

• learning disabilities;
• varying levels of emotional maturity;
• diverse expectations of our services;
• different educational levels in math and English.

 Often tutors will need to:

•   identify learning strengths and weaknesses;
•   find appropriate materials; and
•   create tutoring plans and materials.

Although being a Tutor or Writing Advisor is challenging, it is rewarding to see students succeed because of information and guidance that you have provided. The key to tutoring and writing advice is to

• lead the students to figure out the answers/solutions themselves;
• provide materials;
• demonstrate examples;
• explain rules;
• ask questions to engage them in the learning process.