Proceedings of the 10th Focus Conference (TFC 2023)

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Training and Support for Tutors: Sine Qua Non for effective tutorship in higher education

Authors
Nomfundo Sinethemba Hlongwa1, *, Mashango Phillemon Sithole1
1Teaching and Learning Development Centre, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
*Corresponding author. Email: hlongwa.nomfundo@mut.ac.za
Corresponding Author
Nomfundo Sinethemba Hlongwa
Available Online 6 November 2023.
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-134-0_5How to use a DOI?
Keywords
tutor training; tutor development; tutor perceptions; tutorship; e-tutoring
Abstract

The role of tutorship in higher education is well established, including its benefits for both students and tutors. Despite tutorship being a vastly researched topic, tutor training appears to be at the periphery of the treatise of tutorship. Given the significant role of tutors, it is in the interest of all stakeholders that tutors are well prepared for their role, thus the significance of training provided to tutors to ensure they are well-prepared for the role. Accordingly, this study explored the perceptions of tutors towards tutor training and support as critical ingredients for effective tutorship in higher education. Activity theory undergirds the study, and a quantitative research approach was employed, underpinned by a positivist worldview. A sample (n=77) was drawn from tutors who attended the tutor training in 2023 and are currently providing tutoring for undergraduate students at the selected institution. SPSS was used for data analysis and performing statistical analysis, including the Independent Samples t-Test (One-sample t-test) and Pearson Correlation Coefficieny. Cronbach's Alpha was used to test the internal consistency of the instrument (α=.871). Findings show that the tutors who participated in the survey perceived the training favourably, in that the topics covered are beneficial in preparing them for the tutorial role. The support provided to tutors also appeared to be positively perceived and regarded as a positive contributor to performance. It is recommended that tutor training should focus on topics that have a positive impact on tutor development and be provided continuously.

Copyright
© 2023 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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Volume Title
Proceedings of the 10th Focus Conference (TFC 2023)
Series
Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research
Publication Date
6 November 2023
ISBN
10.2991/978-2-38476-134-0_5
ISSN
2352-5398
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-134-0_5How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2023 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Cite this article

risenwbib
TY  - CONF
AU  - Nomfundo Sinethemba Hlongwa
AU  - Mashango Phillemon Sithole
PY  - 2023
DA  - 2023/11/06
TI  - Training and Support for Tutors: Sine Qua Non for effective tutorship in higher education
BT  - Proceedings of the 10th Focus Conference (TFC 2023)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 53
EP  - 77
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-134-0_5
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-134-0_5
ID  - Hlongwa2023
ER  -