A Study of Students' Help-Seeking Behaviors in Undergraduate Mathematics Tutoring
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| Title: | A Study of Students' Help-Seeking Behaviors in Undergraduate Mathematics Tutoring |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Deborah Moore-Russo, Henry Christiansen, Emilee Coxsey |
| Source: | The Mathematics Educator. 2025 33(1):32-60. |
| Availability: | Mathematics Education Student Association, University of Georgia. 105 Aderhold Hall, Athens, GA 30602. Tel: 706-542-4194; Fax: 706-542-4551; e-mail: mesaprez@gmail.com; Web site: http://tme.journals.libs.uga.edu/index.php/tme/index |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 29 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Help Seeking, Student Behavior, Undergraduate Students, Tutoring, Mathematics Instruction, Research Universities, STEM Education, Calculus, Majors (Students), Biological Sciences, Social Sciences, Business, Tutorial Programs, Trigonometry, College Mathematics |
| ISSN: | 1062-9017 |
| Abstract: | This observational study considers the help-seeking behaviors of students who drop in to receive free tutoring at a university's mathematics tutoring center. It reports how these students enter the tutoring space, act, and interact with others, comparing the students in two different areas of the center. One of the areas serves students taking mathematics classes for natural sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors. The other area serves students taking mathematics classes for business, life science, and social science (BLSSS) majors. Findings suggest that most students enter the center alone, stay for over an hour, and are industrious, no matter the area they visit. However, students in the STEM area were more social with others in the tutoring center, more focused on gaining a conceptual understanding, and less likely to be dependent on tutors than the students in the BLSSS area. These results add to the research literature on what is known about student actions and interactions in university tutoring centers. They have implications for those who organize and lead mathematics tutor training that might help them provide better support to students. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1492953 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | This observational study considers the help-seeking behaviors of students who drop in to receive free tutoring at a university's mathematics tutoring center. It reports how these students enter the tutoring space, act, and interact with others, comparing the students in two different areas of the center. One of the areas serves students taking mathematics classes for natural sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors. The other area serves students taking mathematics classes for business, life science, and social science (BLSSS) majors. Findings suggest that most students enter the center alone, stay for over an hour, and are industrious, no matter the area they visit. However, students in the STEM area were more social with others in the tutoring center, more focused on gaining a conceptual understanding, and less likely to be dependent on tutors than the students in the BLSSS area. These results add to the research literature on what is known about student actions and interactions in university tutoring centers. They have implications for those who organize and lead mathematics tutor training that might help them provide better support to students. |
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| ISSN: | 1062-9017 |