Tutor that's Ready for the Lecture

If you as a student would like to support other students in the learning process, then the role as a tutor fits perfectly. As a tutor, you will assist other students during exercises, lab / practical work, as well as supervision of learning groups and discussion rounds. Responsibilities of this role include possible repetition of taught work, knowledge of practical exercises and a deep understanding of the course content. In order to accomplish this, having good instructional and methodological skills are vital.

Are you interested as a department/faculty or departmental student body and representative committee in our tutor qualification? We encourage you to contact us so that we can discuss your needs and set up an appointment for your tutors.

Tutor Qualification

With our basic qualification we support and prepare tutor candidates for their new role. We introduce access points to conducting (online) tutorials, how to achieve a motivated learning environment and develop their instructional skills. In addition, we simulate different situations that could occur during a tutorial, followed by discussing strategies of how to handle difficult situations.

Our additional practically orientated modules are available for both new and experienced tutors, whereby they can improve their skills and knowledge based on their own interests. Additionally, this will facilitate meeting fellow tutors as well as the exchange of ideas or experiences.

In addition to group learning during modules, there will be some self study content provided which is available under the HDA “Just be a tutor!” Course page on Moodle. More information relating to course themes can be found in the knowledge cache under Study Techniques.

Tutors with their competencies are a building block of good teaching

The freely selectable individual components of the tutor qualification are:

Information regarding the Tutor Qualification as well as testimonials from past tutors.

Who can take part and how much does it cost?

This offer is free to all students of TU Darmstadt. The requirements for taking part is a (planned) activity as a tutor.

Basic Qualification – Introduction to the role

Together we will develop the foundations for interdisciplinary instruction and methodological skill, which will prepare you for your first (online) tutorial. In doing so you will have improved your social and self skills, as well as reinforce your understanding of the role.

Contents of Basic Qualification

  • Tasks and boundaries of a tutor.
  • Role and attitude of a tutor.
  • Preparation for your own target groups.
  • Based on the type of tutorial: Layout of (online) exercises, practicals, deeper understanding or discussion sessions.
  • Dealing with difficult situations.
  • Using and understanding the principle of minimal help.
  • Development of your own tutoring style.
  • Simulation of tutorials.

The basic qualification takes approximately 4 hours (in person) and 4.5 hours online and will take place in small groups with the number of participants ranging between 4 – 12 students. Upon completion, the participants will receive a certificate.

Central dates:

The next basic qualification will take place in the winter semester 2025/26 on:

07.10.2025 09:00-13:30 in S103/152c

17.10.2025 09:00-13:30 in S103/152c

You can register here!

Peer Observation – Feedback for your tutorial

Peer observation presents two opportunities at once: Firstly it provides the opportunity to see the structure of other tutor’s tutorials. Secondly, there is the opportunity to provide feedback with regards to the content of the tutorial to each other. This then allows you to reflect on the feedback and potentially improve upon your own structure and content. In order to prepare you for this task, there will be a workshop that will take approximately 2 hours. Some material will be handed out during the workshop with further information.

The overall structure of the workshop will be as follows:

1. Workshop at the HDA: Introduction to peer observation, material handout and instructions.

2. Tutorial Visit: Tutors will be teaming up into pairs and joining each other's tutorials.

3. Discussion: Session for reflection between the all tutors involved in the workshop.

Contents of the Self-Learning Unit on Peer Observation

  • Purpose and Objectives of Peer Observations
  • Process of Peer Observation – Review of Materials and Instructions
  • What Observation Criteria Exist?
  • What is Constructive Feedback?
  • Process of the Feedback Discussion

You can find the self-study unit in the Moodlekurs HDA ''Just be a tutor!''.. You are welcome to self-inscript.

Tutor Café at 221qm: For tutors and those who want to become one!

At the Tutor Café at 221qm, you can connect with tutors from all departments of TU Darmstadt. Over a cup of coffee, you’ll have the opportunity to reflect on your experiences, share your thoughts with others, and discuss any challenges that arise in your teaching practice.

Would you like to become a tutor and learn more about the role? Then simply drop by and receive first-hand insights!

On 23 October 2025 at 5 p.m., tutors and interested participants will come together to exchange ideas and address a wide range of questions and topics.

Register here!

Practical-oriented workshop – Short workshop for tutors and anyone interested

The practical- oriented workshop takes approximately 1.5 hours and topics within the subject tutor skills framework. The workshop is planned from scratch every semester to meet the specific needs of the participants.

Learn more

Further offers of the HDA

Are you also interested in our other tutor qualifications? You can also train with us to become a trainer in key skills or support our study projects as a team tutor.

 
Qualification for team tutors
Qualification for team tutors
Self-study course: Study Skills
Self-study course: Study Skills
Qualification for orientation week multipliers
Qualification for orientation week multipliers
Workshop for tutors
Workshop for tutors