Working for the Bear Claw The Basics of One-on-One Tutoring Created and presented by Michael Frizell, Director of the Writing Center Sarah Viehmann, Writing Center Consultant

What a Tutor/Consultant Does Help dispel the myth that learning this subject is an impossible task Help students ask good questions Engage the student Help students recognize the value of different approaches to teaching and learning Help students recognize and solve the underlying difficulty Help students do their own work Pedagogical Principles

Customer Service Friendliness Understanding and empathy Fairness Control Options and alternatives Information The Basic Needs of Customers

What You Can Do Form good work habits ◦ Be on time ◦ Maintain professionalism ◦ Create a positive atmosphere Make the first impression count Take the initiative Communicate Remember that your actions affect everyone Commit to making a difference Build cooperation among tutors

Tutor/Consultant Responsibilities Guide and motivate students in academic matters only Ask questions Listen carefully ◦ Paraphrase ◦ Help students understand ◦ Help students feel understood ◦ It’s okay if you don’t know! Recognize that each student has his/her own natural pace for learning Recognize that this is not easy for the student Develop and hone your own skills

The Session: First Impressions Sessions begin the moment the client walks into the room! We presume students are Apprehensive Confused about what to expect Tutors/consultants show respect for the student by Being on time Having a perceived plan Listening actively Not doing the work for the student

First Impressions, Continued The first five minutes: establishing rapport ◦ Greet the client ◦ Ask his/her name ◦ Tell him/her your name ◦ Additionally, you may  Ask what class the project/homework is for  Ask for the assignment sheet (if applicable)  Discuss the purpose of the assignment (if applicable)

Objectives for a Tutoring/Consultation Session Set goals for the session together Foster critical thinking Enhance learning Help students learn to ask questions Promote active learning Help students learn how to learn

Starting Work Identify the task Set goals together ◦ Prioritize goals Work on the task ◦ Keep the client focused on the work!

During the Session It Isn’t All About Us! Focus on the student Validate whatever response the student makes Allow silence after questions Give the student your full attention Become involved with and curious about the student’s work ACTIVELY LISTEN!

Responding to the Student Affirm, Do Not Evaluate ◦ DO: Use specifics to compliment, reinforce, question and explain. ◦ DO NOT: Criticize, be judgmental, look for perfection. Don’t worry about sending the student off with imperfect work! Emphasize progress by restating discoveries.

Closing the Session Remember to: ◦ Summarize in a sentence or two what YOU think was accomplished… ◦ The student must feel like he/she has progressed! Ask the student if he/she has any questions Ask the student his/her plan for further work Leave the student with a lesson gleaned from the session… Assign something for him/her to do Remind him/her of the good practices learned in the session!