If you visit the Brock Learning Lab, you’ll find it buzzing with activity as Brock volunteers work with local students on math and reading skills.
Located in the Brock University Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), the Learning Lab delivers a Reading Support Program and a Math Support Program. These programs offer individualized, one-on-one literacy and numeracy assessment and support for children from K-12.
The programs use games, activities and technology to reinforce skills for students in an engaging and enjoyable way.
“We’re assisting children and adolescents who are attending local schools and perhaps needing some more support than what the school is providing. And we’re doing it in a way that we think is kind of fun,” says Tiffany Gallagher, an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education and Director of the Learning Lab.
Volunteers plan and conduct weekly one-hour sessions with support from the Learning Lab. These take place mornings, early afternoons or evenings for nine-week blocks during the fall and winter as well as six-week blocks during the spring.
The Learning Lab also runs six in-school tutoring programs, pairing volunteers with elementary and high school students for hour-long sessions. These sessions are free for the students.
Brock volunteer tutors receive training, a certificate of volunteering and an opportunity to gain experience as teachers while being supported by the Learning Lab.
“We have people here who are experts in assessment and instruction and they have a lot of scaffolds in place,” says Gallagher. “We assist them with lesson plans. We have resources on site or we bring the resources to them and we are monitoring their lessons as well as the reflection on those lessons and the plan for the next day’s lesson.”
This experience is echoed by those who have volunteered with the Learning Lab.
“Volunteering with the Learning Lab gave me the opportunity to practice my skills as an educator providing me with hands-on experience creating individualized programming based on formal- and curriculum-based assessments, and students’ needs and interests,” says Paul Ferrara. Ferrara completed an internship at the Learning Lab and continued to volunteer as a tutor while still a student. He is now the Lab Supervisor and interim Administrative Coordinator for the Learning Lab.
Many of the student volunteers first encounter the Learning Lab as part of one of their Education courses. That was the case for Tia Ernst, a Concurrent Teacher Education student.
“Tutoring has enabled me the opportunity to explore my passion for helping others and teaching,” said Ernst. As well as tutoring once a week at the Learning Lab through one of her courses, she has also volunteered as a tutor in local schools.
For Ernst, the ability to have a positive impact on her students has been incredibly fulfilling.
“It was truly a proud moment as a tutor when I was able to observe when a student understood something and their progress over a length of time,” said Ernst. “Overall, this experience has showed me the impact tutors can have on student achievement.”
As well as Concurrent and Consecutive Teacher Education students, the Learning Lab also works with graduate students looking for volunteer, internship or research opportunities. Find out more about using the Literacy Centre as a client or volunteering by contacting the Learning Lab.
