Blog 7-Effective tutoring

Effective features of tutoring?

There are so many aspects that can be looked at as effective features of tutoring. To me, communication between the student and the tutor is one of the most important. It is imperative that the writer and student speak to each other frequently and that each person listens. The tutor must be a good listener in order to address what the student thinks are issues in their paper, and vice versa, the student must listen to suggestions given by the tutor (or at least consider them) in order to improve the paper.

It is also important that the tutor build rapport with the student, in order to break through that uncomfortable wall between tutor and student. Most of the time, student will look at you as if you are the authoritative figure who leads the session (in one aspect, sometimes you are...inevitably you have to begin the sessions for less motivated students). So, it is important that the student feel comfortable with you, so that they may interact openly and share their ideas with you.

While it is important that the student somewhat control the session in order to accomplish what the student intends to, I believe it is also important to encourage the student to want to accomplish more. However, if they are content with what they do in the session, then you must be supportive and encourage them to come back for another session to look at the end product.

Looking back on my tutoring session, I would say that I need take more notes during the session so that I do not get lost while exchanging ideas with my student. I would like to spend more time building rapport with my student to ensure open communication. Also, I would like to remember to be less teacher like,also without becoming an "editor" (as per Jeff Brook's essay). I want my sessions to remain student centered, but not to the extent that Brooks dicusses. I almost feel like he kind of isolates the student.

Most importantly, for effective tutoring it is important that we somewhat "expect the unexpected". There are no set rules and outlines to follow when it comes to tutoring sessions. Each student is different, so tutors must not be discouraged easily, instead be patient and do our best as tutors to make sure the student feels they accomplished something in the writing center. Be it becoming a better writer (what we hope for most!), or just improving the paper this time...