1. From Reality and Beyond: Tutor and Tutee Working in Harmony. Dr
From Reality and Beyond: Tutor and Tutee Working in Harmony. Dr. Jenny Child - Senior Personal Tutor and Lecturer Hannah Grice – Occupational Therapist
Context
Sparking new engagement
Working in harmony can be a challenge – particularly when working with different generations, experiences & professional backgrounds. However, this is what the personal tutor does, they have to build a relationship with & respond to the needs of a diverse group of individuals often working without context or history. It is from such a scenario that a harmonious relationship was formed, working with the unknown to structure a way forward.
It is well recognised that there can be extensive emotional rigor when at university1 in addition experiencing a wide array of issues. This is why we decided to map out a students anxiety through a drawing – & from this a personal tutor signposting tool was created.
The tool shows the interface between mental & physical needs, academic & university demands & how the whole has to be understood2 in order to inform development. How taking a personalised approach empowers an individual to move forward when using a focused action plan.
This poster explores how innovative personalised engagement generated change not only for the student but also for the wider University community. When exploring the diverse needs of an individual, drawing was used to identify what was happening in reality – this drawing revealed a complex & chaotic matrix of issues which needed unpicking organising & managing.
- Exciting the tutor to work differently
- Engaging tutee to understand & own needs
- Forming a basis for discussion
- Engaging the disengaged
Fig 3. Student centred action planning
All Uni to know...
Containing & empowering - not sorting
Unique nature of tutor / tutee - integrating & embedding
Appreciating the potential experience
Forming a foundation of trust
Working in partnership
Tutor & tutee influencing & driving a new & secure future
This innovative tool has awakened individuals to the relevance & importance of the tutor role. How they can build academic & pastoral pathways for the tutee in order to influence a new & secure future.
The drawing inspired change identifying the value it has in identifying the needs of all students. It has become a signposting tool acting as an initiation poster – enabling tutee & tutor to use it to inform their needs.
Key outcomes:
- Re-exciting the concept of coaching
- Modernising our approach
- Diverse learning coming together
- Awareness & celebration of the wealth of resources available
Fig 2. A tool to find solutions to everyday challenges
Value of having something different
There are huge benefits to the tutee & tutor working in harmony to the student, academic, university and to the future workforce. When strengthening student engagement and building short & long term resilience. Creative working is a valued approach to achieving this3.
The signposting tool enables the tutee/tutor to visually explore the bespoke needs, connecting them to the wealth of resources available to support wellbeing & academia. This approach gave the power back to the tutee enabling them to have the resilience to move forward. An approach which brings parity to the tutee experience & which will serve them well throughout their professional career
Fig 1. A matrix of challenging experiences
References:
1.Ramli, et al.. (2018) Academic stress and self regulation among University students in Malaysia: Mediator role of mindfulness. Behavioural Sciences 8(12) pp. 2-9
2. Senge et al. (2011) Presence an exploration of profound change in people organisations and society. Nicholas Brealey: New York.
3.Hughes, G. & Wilson, C. (2017). 'From transcendence to general maintenance:
Exploring the creativity and wellbeing dynamic in higher education', in Reisman, F. Ed., Creativity, Innovation and Wellbeing. London: KIE