Knight - Module 10

Part 1: A few ways that I use to study include: good note taking, solving all the homework problems plus extras, reading the textbook, summarizing what is being read, and review old tests. These skills will help a tutee with their studying because they incorporate many different techniques that help remember what is being learned. Taking good notes might not seem like a study skill but if you think about it when you go to review the notes they need to be readable or you won’t be able to understand what you did. Solving all homework problems and extra allows you to get extra practice in. This practice will help to make sure that you fully understand what you have learned. Reading the textbook and summarizing what you have learned helps give you something to look at and allows you to get a different view on what you learned. Finally reviewing old tests allows you to prepare for future tests because it lets you see what type of questions will be on the future tests.

Knight - Module 8

Some of the take-aways is to paraphrase a long answer, use a student’s response to lead to the next question, and wait for a second or two to make sure you have heard all of the student’s response. The first allows you to analyze what the student said and makes sure that you fully understand what is being stated in the student’s answer. The second allows you to use the students own words to help the student get a better concrete understanding of what they are learning. The last take-away helps to make sure that you hear all of what the tutee is saying without you interrupting them. One thing that I would have a problem with is focusing on the student rather than what is coming up next. I usually think about what is the next step in tutoring and I think that cuts some of my attention from the tutee. This is a problem that I am working on.

 

Knight - Module 9 Tutoring Situation

One tutoring situation that I had this week involved me explaining how to solve a math problem. I used the Problem Solving Techniques because I was helping the student solve a problem. What I did is I started at the beginning. I listed all the important information in the question that he would use when he goes to solve the problem. I labeled the information so that he could understand where I would place each number in the formula and then I wrote down the formula that I would use. From there, I began to solve the problem in steps. Each step I would explain what I did and even wrote down what I was doing on the paper. This helped him to understand what I was doing and how the problem can be solved. What I would like to do for the next session is to have handouts that will help the student set up his problems in the future. This will allow him to have something to look at when he goes to work on future problems and will give him a reference for when he gets stuck on a tough problem.

Math Lab Frustrations

I encountered some frustrations today in the Math Lab and I am just wondering how others have handled it.

I have a Math 70 tutuee that I have been working with for a couple of months. He is still struggling adding and subtracting negatives and I feel like we have finally made some progress with this. It is especially important since we are now working with polynomials.

One of the important aspects of tutoring is to help the tutee feel successful with their accomplishments and there lies my frustration today. The program that is used for the math tutorials and learning sessions does not seem very user friendly. The tutee was finally getting the concept. Today when entering answers in the computer and using the drop down process it has to enter an equation, he made a mistake. If he were taking the test obviously it would have been wrong. If a teacher had looked at his paper he would have had the right answer. To me what it boils down to is the students are  having to learn the 2 aspects. They have to learn the math, that they are struggling with, and then they need to be technically savvy also.

The other problem that occurred was the computer basically allows the answer to be one way and one way only. While working with polynomials the student entered 1xy + 3x + 9 and it was wrong. What the computer wanted was xy + 3x + 9. It just seems at a time when we are trying to build confidence and help them to understand the process this is counterproductive. I did not catch what was wrong and when trying to back up a couple of pages to reread the tutorial the computer put us back to the beginning of doing the module.

All of these things combined only take away from the learning process, gets the student frustrated and makes them question a process they are already lacking confidence about.
 

Webster - Active Listening and Paraphrasing

The most important take-aways I got from this presentation would be attentive silent listening, paraphrasing, and questioning because these are the ones that several people (myself included) tend to lose sight of the most. It is extremely important to paraphrase what the tutee said as well as ask them questions to make sure you are both on the same page and there are no miscommunications. Plus, in relation to that old saying, we know what happens when we assume things.

Webster - Time Management and Study Skills

The first thing I do each first day of every class I have ever had is read the syllabus thoroughly. After that, insert all important due dates and exam dates into my Gmail calendar on my phone so I can keep track of everything and be reminded in case something was to come up. I will also physically mark off the class dates and assignments from the syllabus upon completion or attendance to the class. In addition, I keep everything organized in a binder by subject and date. During class I will take notes as well as highlight important information in the book.

While studying, I will review the material from my personal notes and the textbooks to see if there is anything I may be unclear about. Sometimes, I may even re-write my notes to sort of reprocess it all. I will write down a list of vocabulary words and familiarize myself with them. I also use an online flashcard maker and view other practices quizzes online. I use multiple analogies to relate material to other, more personal things so I can remember the topics better.

The top websites I would recommend for studying aids would be:

1. Spreeder: A website that allows you to paste text into it and enables you to speed read it.
2. StudyBlue: A website that allows you enroll into a class and have access to other previous student's notes as well as making your own flash cards and viewing others. It also has a smartphone application that allows you to take it with you and use it on the go!

Webster - Methods of Tutoring

I had a tutee come in that needed help on writing and formatting a narrative essay in the style of APA. They had a topic, but were unsure of how to get started and what exactly to write about. I explained to them that since they were telling a story, to make it personal and to tell it as detailed on paper as they would to their best friend. From my experience, I cannot write to my full potential on a topic unless I am passionate about it. I also printed off handouts to help them with forming a thesis, an introduction, a conclusion, outlining the essay and guidelines for APA style. They were grateful to receive those handouts and loved how they simplified things in a step-by-step format. To do this day, they will come up to be and talk about how they use those handouts on every paper they have to write!

Webster - Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligences

I agree completely with David Kolb, because I too feel that it is essential to meet the needs of every learning style to ensure that every student makes a connection with the material. I think it would be very beneficial to help each tutee determine their learning styles and then go from there. From the information I have learned about learning styles that I don't possess, I think it will be much easier to pick up on a person's learning style. I think it would also be a neat idea to pass on the learning style tests to the professors so they can implement them in their classrooms to form an idea of what ways to incorporate all the styles during class.

Webster - Communication Skills

This week I had a tutee come in that needed help with their English paper. She was panicking because she thought she done terrible on it. The paper had almost no errors and contained a brilliant anecdote that appealed directly to one's emotions. I quickly realized that they were their own worst critic, which is just human nature. Sometimes all a tutee needs is a few encouraging words to uplift their spirits and make them realize that they have all the potential in the world even though they may not realize it at first. Communication skills play a huge part in this because while I took her concerns for the literal statement, it was not the underlying issue.

Webster - Goals and Planning

I plan for tutoring sessions by looking ahead to their future assignments to give myself an idea of ways I can relate their assignments to real life situations. For example, when working with Publisher to create a flyer tutees tend to wonder when they will use that in relation to their future career. I explain to them that creating stuff like that would come in handy for several different reasons such as creating something to advertise a yard sale, something for their church, selling a car, ETC. I also tend to give them a little mini-assignment or task to complete to show that they fully understand what we covered in our sessions. I do that mainly to show them that they are understanding the material and to alleviate some stress they were experiencing due to feeling hopeless. A lot of times, they surprise themselves. I help my tutees set goals by using their syllabus or an assignment checklist to represent how far they have come and what is yet to complete. The only difficulty I have ran into would be, when I first began tutoring I underestimated the time it would take to cover a set assignment because it actually took longer. I am much better about this now.

Webster - Adult Learners and Digital Natives

Adult Learners: 
If I had to assume the role of an adult learner, I would say that I am practical/focused because I am continuously questioning how I can apply things I've learned to my future career(s) as well as every day life. My learning style is a mix between visual and kinesthetic. Prior learning experiences that might influence the way I learn is that in regards to math I have a tendency to drown it out, or I may be able to work out the problem without fully comprehending what I'm doing and why.

Digital Natives:
It was an extremely accurate depiction of students today. The generations corresponding correctly with the items they are familiar with as well as their learning styles. I am definitely social, visual, kinestethic, connected, digital, and immediate. From my experience in classes, it is always nice for instructors to provide a visual aid to go along with their lecture. 

Edwards-Mod 9

Diagraming is very important in Math to help student understand many different types of problems. An example that happened this week is there was a student who was having trouble understanding word problems and their concepts. I was able to work with the student to help them understand key words and how to put the information on paper so that this student could see the information in a different way. This allowed for the student to recognize and spell out on his/her own, exactly what the problem gave them and what they were being asked to do.

Edwards-Mod 6

I plan for tutoring sessions by gathering a variety of materiald from different areas of the section a student is studying.

When I first started tutoring, 7 years ago, I wish I had been given suggestions on how to keep students focused and on track. Many of my students would always want to talk for half of the tutor session and it was very difficult to divert the conversation to what they needed to be working on.

Working in the Math Lab, it gives me a terriffic opportunity to focus on how fast or slow a student is progressing. That gives me the opportunity to encourage student that they are almost finished and ready for a written test. I try to encourage them to try to complete xyz this week, and we can start reviewing for the test by next week.

I have ran into many difficulties in tutoring. Most students are very uninterested in Math and do not want to put time and effort into studying because they do struggle greatly in this subject. I try to make it fun by bringing humor, singing, flashcards and many other tricks I've picked up on. I use many outsied resources and ideas, as all students do not learn the same way.

Websites for studying: Still a work in progress

www.studygs.net

This site offers alot of advice to conquer all types of studying issues. It also offers guides for writing, reading, math and science. There is also advice for time management and thinking skills. Overall a very thorough site.

www.freemathworksheets.net

This math site is great for learning and sharpening your math skills. it is descriptive then also offers worksheets, with answers, to practice.

Module 1-Simmons

Although I am not a tutor, I do understand that being a tutor can be both rewarding and tedious . You surely have to have a good mind set to serve . Tutors are individuals who maintain academic excellence and are effectively able to lead others to their academic potential. Listed below are five things that I associate with tutoring:
1. Being able to get assistance with areas in my studies that I am having trouble understanding.
2. Working with someone who is concerned about me academically and individually.
3. Working with someone who is more knowledgeable of what I am studying.
4 .Being Sociable
5. Being Professional

Being friendly and sociable comes pretty easy to me , and it works  . When you show yourself willing and or approachable , you find that others are attracted to you and feel more comfortable asking you for help . You will find that everything else after that comes easy, from getting to know your student to finding out what they need academically.


My greatest suggestion would be to put Genuine efforts into your Job and the students you are tutoring ,Because giving the right impression of what you are here for is not only vital to the individual , but Vital to the success of The foundation as a whole.

Knight - Learning styles and Multiple Intelligences

What did you learn about yourself?

I have learned that I am a reflective, intuitive, visual, and sequential learner. This means that I like to see what I am learning. I like to think about what I am learning. I prefer to memorize what I have learned. Finally, I prefer to learn things in steps.  

Why would this information be helpful to know about other students?

It would be helpful to know about other students because you can use this information to set up lesson plans for the students so that they can get the most out of what they learn.

How might you use this information when you teach online?

I could use this information to better incorporate lessons that involve all types of learning styles. I could have pictures for visual people, audio recordings for auditory people, and problems for sequential learners.

Reflection

What would you like to be able to do to better meet the needs of your students based on what you have learned here?

I would like to incorporate other methods of teaching that could help the student with his or her work. I could come up with charts and diagrams for students that are more visual. I could also get to know the student better so that I can find out what style of learning that they use the most.

Altherr 10 - Part 1

How do I study, good question. I have found myself reevaluating that a lot this particular semester. With 3 online classes and 3 seated classes, getting everything done can be a challenge.

Planning ahead really has been the key and giving myself breaks in between. To stay focused I do have to stop and take breaks, so if I wait until the night before that can be difficult. I usually study for 1/2 hour take a 5-10 minute break then go back to it. Studying for one subject is not more than 1 1/2 hours at a time. If I have planned ahead this gives me time to revisit it for a couple of days prior to the test. I feel this is one of the biggest problems is students tend to procrastinate then try to cram the info the night before.

When it comes to taking the test, as soon as I get it I look over the entire test for questions that might "pop right out at me" while they are fresh in my head. If I wait by the time I get to them the brain might be a little fuzzy and I may have forgotten.

One thing I have learned and utilize, due to the tutor training, is the the Google calender. I have always been a calender person, however it was a paper copy in my purse. The fact that I spend so much times on a computer these days having it available to me online makes it so much more convenient. With the calender I have scheduled my tests, discussion board due dates, assignments and any other pertinent information. I have learned how to merge my personal calenders into this also so I know ahead if there is something "fun" coming up and how I might need to get my "work" done prior. I have showed this to a few tutees, especially when the problem seems to be time management.

Altherr - 9- Methods of Tutoring

I think diagramming is very important especially in math. I have tried to use alot of this concept with a Math 70 tutee. When it comes to polynomials there can be  multiple steps involved and mistakes can be made easily. I have tried to show the student if each step is written down it can make it clearer and they can step back and see where they made their mistake.

Knight - Digital Natives

Is this an accurate depiction of students today?

I believe this is pretty accurate. Younger generations now-a-days rely more on the internet for learning then there predecessors. Today there are three classrooms at the high school of students taking online classes. This is more than several years ago because back then high school students didn’t really have that option. More and more students from the younger generations are already learning how to do more on a computer then the older generations.

In reviewing the ideas presented, did you find any new insights for your instruction?

After reading what the different people had to say I realized that my generation and younger are becoming a lot more geared toward computers. We have spent a great deal of our lives around them and basically have grown up with them. This means that the traditional approach of learning has to change to get through to the Net Generation. The best way to get through to them would be to allow more multimedia and other engaging presentations in the classroom. Technology should be used more to help teach and or aid the student in their courses.

What would you like to be able to do to better meet the needs of your students based on what you have learned?

I would like to include more technology in my time tutoring. I would like to show students different websites that they can go to that will help them in their related subjects. I would like to also find videos to help explain some of the things that they are learning in the classroom.

What can and will you do right now?

Well I will look for some websites that could benefit my tutees. Also, I will look for other materials on the internet that can help them to grasp the concepts that they are learning in class.

Edwards- Mod 3, Scenario 6

I could substitute the word Math for this comment. I always try to relate to the students and let them see that everyone has different areas where they are successful and would respond:
I understand how frustrating Math can be for you because I struggle and have to work hard in English. Lets see if we can figure it out, together.

Edwards-Mod 3, Scenario 1

My response to scenario 1 would be as follows:
It is unfair to put that kind of pressure on yourself because college is very different from High School. Thereare new expectations, procedures and a new experience, all together. Lets see if we can figure out a way to make this subject better for you.

Edwards-Mod 2

It is very important to make everyone feel equally important. Sometimes it is hard for a student to admit that he or she needs help and if one feel's he has been treated unfairly, it can lower his self-esteem. Another important concept is that it is crucial for a tutor not to judge the tutee, or anyone, for that matter, based on appearance because everyone deserves a fair chance to let his full potential shine. Thirdly, find a way to "break the ice" and make the tutee feel comefortable and unafraid to gain the full benifits of the tutoring session.

McKenzie-Module-Part 2

1. Make sure that you understand all your notes.
2.

McKenzie-Module 10-Part 1

1. Get a good night's sleep the night before the test.
2. Take good notes in class so that you can study them.
3. Study using Flash Cards.
4. Take your time on the test.
5. When test is done, look back over test before you turn it in to the instructor.

Knight - Adult Learners

Diversity scenario

The instructor should think of ways to present the material so that the diverse students all feel engaged. Next, he or she should find out the goals of the students to see how he or she can help them to accomplish the goals stated. Also, the instructor should come up with ways for the students to better themselves in the course, i.e. extra time, group meetings, tutoring, ect.

Practical scenario

The instructor should come up with readings that would interest the student. The student will learn best if he or she has an interest in the subject they are learning. Also, the student should come up with ways to make the subject he or she is learning more interesting. This would help them to better associate what they are learning so that they can remember it in the future.

Experienced scenario

The instructor can use some of the experience that the student had on the farm to help teach the more abstract concepts. However, the instructor should start of small and work his or her way to teaching the student Algebra. You shouldn’t assume that every student is as smart as you and it might help them to go over the basic first before moving onto the hard stuff.

Self-Directed scenario

The instructor could benefit from what the surveys said. Some students need a more hands on approach to the way they are learning to better understand the concepts. This can help them to remember what is being learned and to be able to apply it in future scenarios. Also, alternatives to the assignment can help students with different learning abilities to do the assignments the way they can understand them better. 

Non-Traditional scenario

The instructor could help the students first by helping to set goals to accomplish. Setting goals to accomplish will help them become more involved in the classroom. Next, he or she should sit down and find out some of the problem areas that the students have. Once the problems are address then the instructor can help to have the students better prepared for the classroom setting.

What would you like to be able to do to better meet the needs of your students based on what you have learned here?

I would like to sit down and get to know my tutees better. This will allow me to help them because I can better understand where they are coming from. Also, I would like to be able to find new ways to involve them in our sessions. That way they can walk away feeling accomplished in what they have done.

What is your current obstacle to your being able to these?

Right now I really have no obstacle keeping me from doing this. All I have to do is sit down with my tutee and start talking to them about their background.

What can and will you do right now as a result of what you have learned here?

Well I will take it home with me and come up with some plans for my next tutees. These plans will incorporate me getting to better know my tutee and me finding ways to help them become more involved.

Knight -Module 7 Tutoring Situation

One tutoring situation I had this week would be when I helped a student with Math-140. It went relatively successful but there were a couple of problems that I was faced with that I didn’t know the answer to. I responded by skipping the problem and helping the tutee with other problems he had and I told him that I would work on that problem and have an answer for him for the next session. I believe this was a good way to respond to something you don’t know as a tutor. This allows the tutee to keep working on the work that is in front of him or her without any distractions without forgetting about the problem all together. This allows the tutee to work on it during their free time to find an answer for the student. I would tell tutees that it is okay to admit to the tutee that you don’t know an answer. It will create a trusting relationship plus give the tutee the feeling that it isn’t just him or her that doesn’t know the problems. However, it only helps the tutee if you find out the answer the suggested problem.

knight - Goals And Planning

How do you plan for your tutoring sessions?

First, I start by finding out what all upcoming assignments the tutee has. From there I start to plan out what kind of session we are going to have; whether the session will be over the new stuff that the tutee has just learned or over some of the previous stuff that the tutee has been having problems on. Next, I would set goals to accomplish during the session.

What are some things you wish you had been told earlier to help you plan?

Well I wish I would have had known that I should plan. When I first started tutoring I just went it and started working with the student. It was really jumbled up and kind of confusing but we got through it and I helped out the student.

How do you help your tutees set goals?

Well I tell them to write down things that they didn’t understand and to go home and look at the text book to see if they can figure it out on their own. If they can’t then they should bring it up in the next session so that I can help to explain it to them. Also, I help give them ideas of potential goals that they can set for themselves to accomplish.

What are some difficulties that you have ran into in trying to get your tutees to set goals?

Well the hardest part is getting them to stick to their goals. Some students will stop working towards their goals if they get discourage. This becomes a problem because they will start to give up and not pay attention to the teacher and expect the tutor to do the work for them.