Learning and mentoring program members Georgia Spyrou, Paul Andrews, Dr Mark Belkin, Mornington state Liberal MP Chris Crewther, and Andrea Dangerfield.
A group of retired teachers, academics and field experts are generously providing one-on-one tutoring and mentoring for young Peninsula students free of charge.
Run mainly at Dromana Community House, the volunteer program is a Dromana Lions Club initiative and focuses on students from grades 4-6 who are struggling at school. More recently, an academic joining the team has added further value, helping secondary school students, and assisting Year 12 students to negotiate the shift to university. Inspired by Dr Mark Belkin’s Lions presentation late last year, Mornington state Liberal MP Chris Crewther strongly endorses the program, encouraging parents and schools to benefit from the free tutoring service.
Dr Belkin had previously identified a growing trend among first-year students attending his university classes: many new starters struggled with ‘knowledge management’, unable to source, sort and share information independently. This was a clear obstacle in an environment where the organised presentation of findings was required.
Retiring just before lockdown, Dr Belkin was unable to shake the problem from his mind, knowing its toll on the mental health of students feeling incapable of ‘getting their act together’ in that initial entry year. There were several students who hadn’t previously encountered the fundamentals of good knowledge management in their schooling and for whom the transition to tertiary education came as a shock.
According to Dr Belkin, many expected study notes to be distributed, and showed a reluctance to take notes themselves. Recording information to refer back to later was a crucial skill requiring improvement. Now, where the need is identified, Dr Belkin focuses on the mechanics of writing as a form of communication. For example, communication for primary students is by writing to each other in a session rather than talking, revealing their written words to ‘speak’. It’s a technique that expands vocabulary and encourages students to read to understand.
The retirees in the group feel a sense of purpose and vitality, enjoying the opportunity to continue providing value to their community. To book a student tutorial or to ask about volunteering, email Paul Andrews at i.am.paul.andrews@gmail.com or Dr Belkin at markbelkin935@gmail.com
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