Faculty Roles & Responsibilities

Working with Embedded Peer Tutors (EPTs) for Online Courses

On This Page

Core Responsibilities
Key Characteristics of Effective Faculty Partners
What Faculty Should NOT Do
Specific Integration Strategies
Communication Best Practices
Supporting EPT Success
Benefits of Working with an EPT
Expected Faculty Time Commitment
Success Indicators
Important Reminders

EPTs are valuable partners in creating an engaging, supportive online learning environment. As the faculty member, you play a critical role in establishing clear expectations, integrating the EPT into your course structure, and fostering a collaborative relationship that enhances student success. This document outlines key responsibilities and best practices for working effectively with your embedded peer tutor in the online context.

📋 Core Responsibilities

› Clearly define the tutor's role and responsibilities at the beginning of the semester, including specific expectations for online presence and course engagement. The first best action is to add the student to your course under the role of "Embedded Tutor/Academic Coach"
› Introduce the EPT to students through a Canvas announcement, homepage, welcome video, and/or discussion post, explaining their role as a peer supporter and valuable resource
› Structure online activities to effectively utilize the EPT's support in discussion boards, virtual study sessions, and asynchronous engagement
› Communicate regularly with the EPT through virtual meetings or email to share weekly plans, discuss student needs, and provide feedback
› Provide guidance on course content and clarify concepts when the EPT has questions or needs additional support
› Share information about struggling or disengaged students appropriately, while maintaining confidentiality and respecting FERPA guidelines
› Consult with EPT on virtual and face-to-face tutoring opportunities in the Student Success Center and help promote through announcements and reminders
› Provide feedback and recognition regularly to support the EPT's professional growth and acknowledge their contributions publicly in the course
› Complete end-of-semester evaluation to document the EPT's performance and provide constructive feedback for their development

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⭐ Key Characteristics of Effective Faculty Partners

› Collaborative and welcoming – treats the EPT as a valued team member and makes them visible in the online course
› Clear communicator – articulates expectations, provides context for activities, and gives timely written feedback
› Organized and prepared – shares weekly plans and discusses how the EPT can best support online engagement
› Open to feedback – receptive to the EPT's observations about student engagement, comprehension, and online course dynamics
› Supportive mentor – guides the EPT's professional development in online teaching and digital communication
› Respectful of boundaries – understands the EPT is a peer supporter, not a TA, and doesn't assign grading or evaluative tasks
› Equity-minded – ensures EPT support is accessible across time zones, technology levels, and learning needs
› Appreciative and encouraging – acknowledges the EPT's contributions in announcements, emails, and course communications

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⚠️ What Faculty Should NOT Do

Important: These practices undermine the EPT program and must be avoided.

✕ Do not assign grading responsibilities – EPTs are peer supporters, not teaching assistants; they should not grade assignments or have access to the gradebook
✕ Do not expect course management – policy enforcement, deadline extensions, and course logistics remain the instructor's responsibility
✕ Do not leave them uninformed – failing to communicate weekly plans or expectations undermines the EPT's ability to support students effectively
✕ Do not make them invisible – failing to introduce them or integrate them into course activities reduces their approachability and effectiveness
✕ Do not neglect their development – EPTs need regular feedback, guidance, and recognition to grow in their online tutoring role

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🗓️ Specific Integration Strategies

Before the Semester

› Meet virtually with the EPT to discuss your teaching style, course goals, and expectations
› Share your syllabus, course schedule, Canvas organization, and major assignments
› Discuss how you envision using the EPT in discussion boards, announcements, and virtual sessions
› Establish communication preferences, response time expectations, and regular check-in schedule

First Week of Course

› Post a Canvas announcement introducing the EPT by name with photo and explaining their role
› Emphasize that the EPT is a resource for all students, not just those struggling
› Add EPT contact information and Zoom office hours to syllabus and Canvas homepage
› Have EPT post a welcome message in the introduction discussion or create a video introduction

In Discussion Boards

› Clarify the EPT's role: responding to questions, encouraging deeper thinking, connecting ideas
› Encourage EPT to post follow-up questions that deepen conversations
› Review EPT's discussion posts periodically to ensure accuracy and appropriate tone
› Model collaborative relationship by acknowledging EPT's contributions in your own posts

In Asynchronous Support

› Provide EPT with 'Embedded Tutor/Academic coach status role in Canvas for course monitoring
› Encourage EPT to reach out proactively to students who haven't logged in recently
› Support EPT in creating FAQ documents, study guides, or video tutorials for challenging topics
› Review EPT-created resources for accuracy before they are shared with students

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💬 Communication Best Practices

› Establish regular virtual check-ins – weekly Zoom meetings or structured email updates to stay aligned
› Share weekly course plans – provide context about upcoming content, discussion topics, and potential student challenges
› Be explicit about expectations – clearly communicate what the EPT should (and shouldn't) do in discussions and student interactions
› Listen to their observations – EPTs often notice engagement patterns, confusion, or disconnection you might miss
› Provide constructive feedback – offer specific praise and gentle guidance about their online communication and support strategies
› Model professional online communication – demonstrate the tone, responsiveness, and netiquette you expect the EPT to use

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🤝 Supporting EPT Success

› Provide appropriate Canvas access: Ensure EPT can view course content, discussions, and announcements
› Clarify content questions: Be available via email or virtual meetings to explain difficult concepts or correct misunderstandings
› Connect to resources: Direct EPT to Student Success Center staff for online tutoring training, tools, or questions
› Advocate for their role: Regularly remind students via announcements to utilize the EPT as a valuable resource
› Recognize their contributions: Publicly acknowledge the EPT's work in announcements, discussion posts, and emails
› Support their boundaries: Respect their time commitments and establish clear expectations about response times and availability

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✨ Benefits of Working with an Embedded Peer Tutor

For Your Students

• Increased sense of connection and belonging in an online environment
• Timely, personalized support that reduces confusion and frustration
• Peer perspective makes asking questions less intimidating
• Enhanced confidence in navigating online learning
• Reduced feelings of isolation common in online courses

For You as Instructor

• Better insight into student comprehension and engagement patterns
• Earlier identification of struggling or disengaged students
• More robust discussion board activity and peer-to-peer learning
• Reduced volume of repetitive questions directed to instructor
• Enhanced online course community and student retention
• Support in creating accessible, student-friendly online materials

For the EPT

• Deepened mastery of course content through online teaching
• Development of digital communication and online facilitation skills
• Valuable mentorship experience with a faculty member in online education
• Building of online teaching portfolio for future career opportunities

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🕐 Expected Faculty Time Commitment

Activity	Time
Initial virtual meeting	1–2 hours before semester begins to establish expectations and rapport
Weekly check-ins	15 minutes via Zoom or email to coordinate plans and provide feedback
Mid-semester virtual review	30 minutes to discuss progress, adjust strategies, and address concerns
End-of-semester evaluation	30–45 minutes to complete written evaluation and meet virtually for final feedback conversation
Total estimated commitment	Approximately 1–2 hours per week (coordinating course activities and maintaining communication)

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🎯 Success Indicators

An effective faculty-EPT partnership in an online course demonstrates:

✓ Clear communication and mutual understanding of roles
✓ Students actively utilizing the EPT through messages, discussions, and virtual sessions
✓ Increased discussion board engagement and quality of peer interactions
✓ Regular feedback exchange between faculty and EPT
✓ EPT feels valued, supported, and clear about online support expectations
✓ Improved student engagement, retention, and course outcomes
✓ Collaborative problem-solving around online learning challenges

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📌 Important Reminders

⚖️ FERPA Compliance

EPTs may observe student activity but should not have access to grades, grade comments, or sensitive information.

🔖 Role Clarity

EPTs are peer supporters, not TAs — they don't grade, manage course settings, or enforce policies.

📈 Professional Development

View this as a mentorship opportunity in online teaching that benefits both you and the EPT.

⚖️ Equity Mindset

Ensure EPT support is accessible across time zones, technology levels, and diverse student needs.

🏫 Program Coordination

Contact the Student Success Center with questions, concerns, or to share successes.

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Embedded peer tutoring in online courses is most successful when faculty and tutors work as true partners.

Your leadership, communication, and support are essential to creating a collaborative online learning environment where all students can thrive. Thank you for your commitment to student success!