Abstract

For too long, the realm of academic support has filled in widening gaps between (classroom) instruction and student learning. Whether through peer tutoring, supplemental instruction or academic coaching, students have sought assistance in both content mastery and the process of learning outside of the classroom. Recent research and writing has sought to close the gap by addressing academic staff, students and staff with the same information and tone. Ideally, when strategies are shared and mutually reinforced, student learning deepens while instructor burden and frustration are alleviated. The critical nodes in this model are flexible learning specialists who can offer concrete strategies and tools to both staff and students and willing academic staff to adopt and incorporate such strategies in their classroom pedagogy. This chapter offers an overview of academic support approaches and translates them for academic staff and pedagogy specialists. Additionally, it provides several key questions and approaches that can be guides to both academic staff and administrators interested in centering student learning both in and out of the classroom.