1. OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING TUTORING SKILLS Paper Presented By DR (MRS.) ADAEZE OKOLI @ A 5-DAY WORKSHOP ON OPEN DISTANCE & e-LEARNING Organized By Centre for Open, Distance & e-Learning (CODeL) FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, MINNA, NIGERIA

2. OBJECTIVES OF THIS PRESENTATION At the end of this presentation, you should be able to: Identify the four core categories of ODL tutoring skills Discuss the supporting skills needed by an ODL tutor Discuss the skills needed by an ODL tutor for guiding learning Itemize the skills needed by an ODL tutor for enabling learning Discuss the administrative skills needed by an ODL tutor Identify the aspects of tutor roles and responsibilities that require supportive, guiding, enabling and administrative skills

3. WHAT ARE THE CORE ODL TUTORING SKILLS? Experienced ODL educators identified four general categories of ODL tutoring skills: 1. supportive: helping learners deal with issues not related to content, that may affect their learning 2. guiding: helping learners to understand the content and its relationship to their learning goals 3. enabling: helping learners to develop and apply appropriate learning processes effectively 4. administrative: serving as a link between learners and institution on administrative issues

4. ODL SUPPORTING SKILLS In ODL, ‘learner support’ is often used as a very general term to refer to all the activities that an educational institution does to recruit, enroll, guide, tutor, counsel and communicate with learners. For a tutor, supporting skills include: Communication skills (listening, responding, maintaining contact, effective use of communication media Motivation skills Problem-solving skills (clarify problems, identify what kind of help is needed, determine whether you can and should provide help

5. GUIDING LEARNING SKILLS NEEDED BY ODL TUTORS Guiding is the term used to refer to activities that help learners understand and apply content. The skills in guiding learning by ODL tutors involve: using content knowledge to provide direction to learners, providing feedback to learners on their work, familiarizing learners with the conventions of the discipline, linking (making learners make connections, to understand how pieces of learning relates), and ability to identify and provide solutions to academic problem facing learners

6. ENABLING LEARNING SKILLS Enabling learning entails helping learners to develop learning skills (general or specific to the discipline) and to apply these skills appropriately as individuals or in groups. One learner described the experience like this: ‘I just wanted to say from someone who had little previous knowledge of distance education, that as we have completed two months of our first class, that I am feeling so much more comfortable with the structure of this class. I feel I am acquiring a strong ‘foundation’ of this discipline and believe that I will continue to build on my knowledge, brick by brick. I know that I was crying out for full autonomy in my learning, but I now know that before I can proceed into full autonomy, I must be given… structure.’ (University of Maryland/Oldenburg student)

7. Enabling learning involves: helping learners to develop their skills in organizing concepts helping learners to articulate their ideas in writing or verbally, and to debate them productively fostering learners’ ability to achieve learning goals through interactions such as cooperative projects or peer feedback setting appropriate and challenging topics for learner discussions modeling effective learning strategies for learners by demonstrating alternative approaches to a topic helping learners identify and deal with ineffective approaches to learning, or skill deficits blocking their learning, such as language or mathematical skills. ENABLING LEARNING SKILLS (CONTD…)

8. ADMINISTRATIVE SKILLS NEEDED BY ODL TUTORS On behalf of the learner, tutors use their administrative skills for: communication – tutors may be responsible for ensuring that learners are informed of deadlines and procedures for applications, exams, withdrawing from courses, completing requirements, etc. problem solving – tutors use their familiarity with academic and administrative procedures when helping learners to connect to the appropriate unit or staff person who can help with specific problems. planning – tutors are often in a position to help learners to identify their learning needs beyond the specific course, and to plan the most appropriate path to address their needs. Tutors also use their administrative skills for: managing and communicating learner information, record keeping, reporting marks and ensuring that information about learners is relayed to the right person at the right time maintaining standards of practice by ensuring they are familiar with academic standards and identifying any possible infringement of academic standards

9. TUTOR’S ROLE To conclude this presentation, here are one tutor’s reflections on the multiple dimensions of her role. Like the student, I must: keep ahead of the game attend all scheduled classes. Also, I make it my business to attend all the teleconference sessions be punctual be prepared at all times read documentation / handouts before tutorial session be able to answer all questions at end of each module.

10. TUTOR’S ROLE (CONTD…) I see the following as my responsibilities: acting as a resource person presenting real life examples to further clarify the information documented in the modules being familiar with and understanding the material interpreting / clarifying any aspects of the reading material as required by students

11. TUTOR’S ROLE (CONTD…) interpreting questions as necessary – one question leads to another encouraging participation, group interaction, discussion providing strategies to guide or coax students into creative application of what is learnt providing honest feedback to students on performance. Guiding students to the ultimate goal… successful completion.’ (Claudia Drakes, UWI)

12. SUMMARY This unit has expanded on some of the most important skills that tutors need in four main specific skill areas (supportive, guiding, enabling, and administrative) and explored how these skills help learners to develop confidence, acquire knowledge, enhance their learning skills, and find ways to resolve content, logistical or administrative issues that may impede their learning.