LSUS modernizing tutoring system with new app

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LSUS modernizing tutoring system with new app

SHREVEPORT - With the vast majority of LSUS students working a substantial number of hours, the need for a flexible tutoring schedule and delivery methods is diverse.

The Student Success Center is meeting that need by partnering with Knack, a leader in the peer tutoring industry.

LSUS students will continue to access free tutoring, but this online platform is more flexible in tutoring hours with tutors that more frequently will be their LSUS peers.

The partnership will begin this fall semester and will be live on the first day of classes (Aug. 19). Students can download the Knack app in the Apple app store or Google Play store. Faculty and staff wishing to learn more about the app via this link.

"We're excited about Knack because it will help build our own peer tutoring programs in that Knack recruits, hires, and trains LSUS students to be peer tutors," said Brandon Winningham, director of academic success at LSUS. "It reduces barriers to access that we have in-house because tutoring ends when our doors close.

"Now LSUS students can connect with a tutor on a Saturday night that has taken that LSUS class before, and that's not something we could typically provide."

LSUS students interested in becoming tutors can contact Winningham via email at [email protected].

The Knack tutoring app operates in a similar way to popular ridesharing apps. Students will signal that they need a tutor in a specific subject, and tutors who have their app notifications turned on will receive that message and can accept the session.

"Many of our students work full-time jobs while balancing their academic and familial obligations, limiting their opportunity to take advantage of support services," said Angie Pellerin, assistant vice chancellor of student success at LSUS. "Knack will help us remove barriers for students to achieve their academic goals."

A 2023 survey revealed that 80 percent of LSUS students work more than 30 hours per week, which necessitates a flexible tutoring schedule.

The app accesses a professional tutoring network if no LSUS tutors are available, providing necessary coverage for LSUS students.

LSUS students who wish to be tutors will receive professional training based on College Reading & Learning standards.

Tutors will be paid $15/hour by Knack, which means tutoring jobs will be more available to LSUS's large student population that's located out-of-state.

"The investment that the university is making with Knack goes right back into the pockets of our students in the form of tutoring wages," Winningham said. "High-achieving students can earn wages on their own time at their own place without having to feel the crunch of having to fit their tutoring work hours physically in this building.

"This will also allow students and tutors to build rapport, and we know that building pillars of social engagement is also critical for students to remain in school. These are your peers."

Transitioning to Knack will allow the Student Success Center to more efficiently deploy its in-person tutors as well.

"We can hire more graduate assistants to work in our revived supplemental instruction program, which is where tutors are physically in these classes and are organizing study groups," Winningham said. "Knack takes the burden off our traditional peer tutoring model so that we can target our in-house resources more efficiently.

"Now our in-person tutors are doing the work alongside students and instructors."