Module #7 A Look at Productive Tutoring Techniques

Tutoring has short term and long term goals.

A good tutor will help the student to understand current material and to prepare for an upcoming test.

A good tutor will help the student develop good study habits that will help the student throughout her academic career.

7.1 Let the student do the work: The student’s work should become the object of the session.

Working problems with the student provides practice for the student. Working problems with the student allows the tutor to provide positive feedback.

Use appropriate amount of structure: LOW or HIGH. The amount of explanations given by the tutor are determined by the vocalization of the student.

7.2 Low Structure Some students are aware of their own needs and take charge of the tutoring session.

The session will be more efficient if the student is in charge. The session goes better if the student can confront head on any area of confusion. The tutor is then able to allow the student to set the pace of the session.

In Low Structure sessions the student is willing and able to know when it is time to move on to another problem or topic. In Low Structure sessions the student can summarize her ideas to make sure she understands the problem or topic.

7.3 High Structure High Structure is used when the student needs more guidance in tutoring sessions. High Structure sessions are ways to model good study habits and strategies so students learn to own the study habits and strategies as their own over time.

7.4 Offer Study Tips Offering Study Tips is a way of High Structure assistance.

Offering study tips is a way to suggest ways to study. Offering study tips makes sure students understand material before moving on. Offering study tips encourages practice and drill. Offering study tips lets students know some of the tutor’s study strategies and resources.

7.5 Discuss Test-Taking strategies Discuss strategies to use while studying for a test. Ex. Before going into a test, make a check list of things to look out for.

7.6 Refer to the Lecture and the Lecture Notes Referring to the Lecture and the Lecture Notes helps the student see the BIG picture.

Tutors should review students’ notes regularly. Tutors should refer to the lectures regularly. Tutors should help students use their notes as a consultant.

7.7. Refer to the text and other resources. This is known as the MODELING Effect. The text will support the tutor’s explanation. The tutor should use the text to pose questions. The text should be used as a resource. The text should be used to show examples or to give explanation.

7.8 Offer Problem-Solving Tips When the tutor can share his/her favorite way of thinking about solving problems the student will learn a new strategy that can be used especially if the student and tutor have a similar learning style.

The tutor should give students a chance to do problems on their own before offering assistance. The tutor should wait at least 10 seconds before offering advice.

7.9 Encourage the use of other campus resources. The tutor should help the student realize he/she is just one resource and is not responsible for knowing all the answers. Other resources: instructors, graduate assistants, librarian…

Encourage the student to see the instructor during office hours. Encourage the student to ask questions in class.

REVIEW 1.Let student do the work 2.Use appropriate amount of structure 3.Offer study tips 4.Discuss test-taking strategies 5.Refer to the lecture and the lecture notes 6.Refer to the text and other resources 7.Offer problem solving tips 8.Encourage use of campus resources