Embedded Coaching

What is Embedded Coaching?

The Embedded Coach (EC) Program is a free service offered to students in targeted courses. The program is a non- remedial approach to learning, as the program targets high-risk courses rather than high-risk students. Coaches are strategically placed in courses, and serve as a near-peer to students in class. Most coaches are students themselves who have successfully completed the course with a grade B or better. In addition to in-class tutoring, coaches conduct a minimum of 1 out-of-class study session per month, which provides students with additional support when processing course content delivered in class. All students are encouraged to attend EC study sessions, as it is a voluntary program. The program serves Compton College's diverse student body, comprised of students at various levels of academic preparedness. The program model promotes leadership, personal agency, independent learning, and peer collaboration on campus.

EC Coaches are highly skilled and participate in minimum of 20 hours of required training each school year. EC Coach training covers topics such as how students learn, collaborative learning techniques, instructional strategies aimed at strengthening academic performance, group facilitation techniques, time management, data collection/analysis, pubic speaking, and customer service.

Primary Goals

To give students a chance for more individualized attention and feedback during class activities
To expose students to tutoring who may not seek it otherwise
To help students achieve their academic aspirations by providing peer-facilitated study sessions to enhance their understanding of course content
To increase student retention and success rates for targeted courses at Compton College

Due to COVID-19, all embedded coach sessions have been moved to the Zoom (online) platform. Embedded coaches will now conduct Zoom online study sessions with enrolled Compton College students. NOTE: Only students who are enrolled in a course that is assigned an embedded coach will have access to Zoom online study sessions. The embedded coach program is only active during the fall and spring semesters.

Please contact one of the following SSC staff members if you are experiencing issues connecting with an embedded coach:

Shalisa Hodge, Student Success Coordinator: shodge@compton.edu

Zoom Training Guides For Students

Watch the following Zoom tutorials before you join a meeting:

How to join a Zoom Meeting for the first time (YouTube Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIYudDeULlw
How to join a Zoom Meeting from a Smartphone (YouTube Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEQLjLYhuJQ
How to Join Zoom for the First Time (PDF)

SSC Zoom Study Session Code of Conduct and Best Practices

Please be patient, polite, respectful, and wait for your turn to get help.
Have your questions ready, communicate them clearly, and, if possible, write them down.
Students should limit their time with a coach to 10-15 minutes. Be mindful that coaches will still follow group/collaborative learning rules and regulations.
Depending on the number of hours the coach is working for the day, s/he may need to take a 15, 30, or 60-minute break. Please be respectful of the coach's meal/break period. The coach may virtually "step-away", in which case, students have the option of working individually, or in groups, until the coach returns. The coach may provide other options for the students during this time (i.e. joining an SSC tutor's Zoom session).
Be aware that SSC support staff may join a coach's Zoom session randomly and unannounced. The purpose of these visits will vary, and may include routine quality control and/or coach evaluation. We apologize for the disruption, but it is necessary in order for the SSC to continuously assess and improve academic support services for Compton College students.
No private chatting and/or emailing coaches anytime during the tutoring session.
All study sessions will be recorded.
To avoid embarrassing moments, make sure your device camera is off when you need it to be off, and your audio is muted if you do not want to be heard.
The host coach reserves the right to terminate a session at any time.
Have your study materials ready, as coaches do not have access to textbooks at this time.
Remember that coaches are not instructors and will not conduct lectures.

Other Factors to Keep in Mind

Not all subjects transfer well from in-person to online. Depending on the subject being tutored, online tutoring may not yet be perfected. Until recently, it was almost impossible to simulate the experience of freeform collaboration on a shared problem set online, as is common in math and science tutoring.
Forming an emotional connection and building trust can be challenging. When you participate in online tutoring, breaking the ice can be challenging, as it is more difficult to make an emotional connection without being physically present. Remember to smile, use positive and encouraging language. Tutoring is a two-way street; the success of the session depends on strong and appropriate communication between both the tutor and the tutee.
Leave technical troubleshooting to the experts. Keep in mind that tutors are not technology experts. Compton College is still working on various aspects of the transition to online instruction and tutoring. When encountering technical difficulties, please refer to the 'Technical Support' or 'Help' section of the service/software/hardware in question.