Tutoring at higher education institutions as an element of building social capital in Poland

Abstract

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The aim of the article is the analysis of tutoring as a method of education based on the master-student relationship, at universities as an element of building social capital. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: One of the current higher education problems is the lack of a coherent system and culture of social capital development. It could be strengthened by using tutoring, an innovative method of learning, shaping the master-student relationship. The study has a theoretical and analytical character. The descriptive case study was used as the applied method. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: Firstly, the concept of social capital and its importance for education will be approximated. Next, an attempt will be made to describe a case study of particular university in terms of implementing the tutoring principles. In this context, the importance of tutoring for building social capital will be analysed. RESEARCH RESULTS: An analysis of the example of tutoring at the University of Gdańsk will allow to refer to the importance of the role played by tutoring in building social capital. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Tutoring supports developing social competencies and teaching the tutored students how to express their own opinions, to accept the interlocutor’s arguments and refer to them. In order to be able to work on their own and establish a close relationship with the tutor, the students must be self-motivated and focused on self-development.

Keywords

• social capital
• tutoring
• education
• quality of education