Innovate the tutoring services’ instructional design to counteract undergraduate students’ educational failure: the case of the Department of Education of Roma Tre University

Counteracting the educational failure of universities is a major challenge, and tutoring is one of the variables which educational research investigates. (Topping, 1996; Falchikov & Blythman, 2001; Da Re, 2017). In order to promote a positive continuation of studies and to counteract dropout and delay in achievement of a degree, an effective strategy is to support students in their studies with personalized and interactive educational process, providing them with support both on the educational and emotional-motivational levels. (Felice, 2005; Álvarez & González, 2008). The paper focuses on the results of research carried out at Roma Tre University (Department of Education). The research analyzed the academic careers of three cohorts of students, identified as insufficient on the access test, who then attended “S.Tu.Di OFA” tutoring service. The main objective of the research was to examine in depth how "S.Tu.Di OFA" could be effective in the innovation of instructional design. The objective was to reduce undergraduate students’ educational failure.Both qualitative and quantitative tools were used. Data analysis highlighted the effectiveness of the tutoring actions proposed for students with initial difficulties in studying. Also, the reflections advanced by tutors and students confirmed t