What I Learned In Tutoring Class

Over the course of this term, I have learned several helpful techniques to incorporate into tutoring sessions. I’ve also learned about problems that can arise when tutoring and how to avoid making poor decisions. One of the best practices that I have learned is how to systematically address different problems a student is having with homework, by breaking assignments down into a more accessible format. When a student comes into a tutoring session and is overwhelmed with a homework assignment, helping them formulate an outline of what to complete with their assignment, helps set them up for success and lets them realize that they are capable of working through difficult problems. For instance, if a student brings in a poem and says that they have to write an essay on the poem, but they haven’t read it yet; sit with them and analyze the poem, help them come up with a general idea of what they think the poem is about, then help them start drafting out ideas for a paper. Ask them what they want to write about, and start creating an outline of what needs to be accomplished. This technique helps students overcome their initial fear of an assignment and helps them get started, by breaking the assignment into smaller portions. Another helpful practice that I learned about was the technique of making every tutoring session productive. …show more content…
For example, a pitfall when tutoring, is giving a student encouragement when it isn’t necessary. For example, briefly looking over a paper and telling a student that they have an awesome paper, can set them up for failure and can also put you in a troublesome situation when they come back with a C+. This is an easy mistake to make, and after my mock tutoring session with Lauren, I realized I shouldn’t have blindly told her that she had a, “solid paper.” I know understand that encouragement can be beneficial, but that it should be used