Tutorials

Tutorology Resources

The WICOR methodology—Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading Critically—is AVID’s foundational model for high-engagement teaching and learning (AVID, n.d.). It scaffolds student comprehension across various disciplines, helping them articulate complex ideas at progressively advanced levels.

Breakdown of WICOR:

• Writing strengthens cognitive abilities by compelling students to clarify their thoughts and structure ideas logically. Research suggests that higher engagement in academic writing correlates with increased academic success (Light, 2001).

• Inquiry fosters critical thinking by encouraging students to ask progressively complex questions. The Foundation for Critical Thinking states that thinking is driven by questions, not answers (Foundation for Critical Thinking, n.d.), reinforcing AVID’s emphasis on metacognitive learning.

• Collaboration facilitates deep learning through cooperative engagement. Intentional group learning strengthens individual comprehension, with faculty acting as facilitators rather than lecturers (Barkley, Cross & Major, 2005).

• Organization plays a critical role in student success, particularly in time management. Cuseo, Fecas & Thompson (2010) highlight that students who struggle to manage time often struggle academically.

• Reading Critically is an essential skill, though many students enter college unprepared for rigorous reading comprehension. AVID’s methodology helps students bridge this gap through structured reading strategies (Gottschalk & Hjortshoj, 2004).
  Beyond academic benefits, WICOR fosters career-readiness skills, aligning with employer preferences for strong communicators and problem solvers (Harvey et al., 1997). National surveys confirm that hiring trends favor graduates proficient in higher-level thinking and inquiry-based problem-solving (Business/Higher Education Round Table, 1991, 1992; Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills, 1992; Education Commission of the States, 1995).
  
  WICOR isn’t merely an academic strategy; it equips students with essential workplace and life skills, ensuring long-term personal and professional success.