Webster - Another Attribute of Tutoring

If I were to suggest an additional attribute for tutors, I would add reliability into the mix because tutees should be able to depend on their tutors to know the appropriate material for their course. With that being said, tutees shouldn't rely on their tutors for all the answers, but instead to point them in the right direction so they can do it on their own.

Webster - Easiest and Toughest Attributes

The easiest attribute for me would be empathy because it comes so natural to me. I am such a tenderhearted person. The toughest attribute for me would probably be humor simply because I have a rather eccentric sense of humor that most do not catch on to without further explanation.

Webster - 5 Things Associated With Tutoring

I have a deep passion for helping others, so the essence of tutoring appeals to me by doing just that. My responsibilities entail assisting tutees to put forth their best effort and strive for their personal best. Five things that I associate with tutoring are:

1. Punctuality/Preparedness.
2. Enthusiasm/Optimism.
3. Good Listening Skills.
4. Patience.
5. Confidentiality/Trust.

Beane - Scenario 1

Tutee:  “I have always made “A’s” in high school, so I know I should be making “A’s” in college too.”

When I began college I went through the same dilemma - why aren't my high school study skills working in college? I would want to explain to my tutee how others can feel and I would want to analyze with them the possibilities for their grades.  For many college students they must either learn how to study or learn how to portray what they know by the standards that their professor asks for.  As a high school teacher I realize that we are preparing students for college while they are in high school, but because of all of the outside factors there is no true way to prepare anyone for the independence and responsibility that comes with college.  For some students high school was a breeze because you didn't have homework, or the teachers made everything super relevant.  Unfortunately college isn't always like that.  Colleges do not always function with the individual student in mind.  Many professors teach using a lecture style classroom or an online classroom -- if a student has never seen a lecture style or online classroom and has always been in English classes where information in presented to intrigue all learning styles, they will have to teach themselves how to learn from a lecture, or at least how to comprehend the text that comes along with the lecture.  Sometimes college is also a large step toward independence that a recent graduate isn't ready for.  When you have to get yourself to class on times (there are no bells), you must pay attention on your own (no one will call your parents or give you warnings), or you must keep up with your own grades (teachers will not give you multiple chances) those are hard bridges to cross for a lot of students.

College isn't like high school in many ways. Oftentimes successful students in high school find the transition to college to be the most difficult thing that they have ever had to experience.  Also college classes are much less cross-curricular and you may have classes that do not touch on anything that you are interested in and if you have never experienced a class like that you can also have a lot of trouble.

Reviewing all of the differences between college and high school and helping the tutee to understand why there are those differences is key to them overcoming that disappointment and boosting their performance.

Beane - Scenario 6

Tutee:  “I have never been able to write.  This is hopeless.”

As a tutor if I hear this comment I throw up a red flag.  This student has zero confidence with writing and I know that they truly do feel hopeless.  Having worked with many students that are completely turned off by writing, I know that often it takes them being successful in writing to feel successful.  I don't mean telling them that they are good when they aren't, I mean finding something that they are interested in and helping them to write.  During a tutoring session walk through a simple explanation of the writing process (pre-write, rough draft, edits, final draft, edit again) with a topic that they already know about.  Once they have a success in an area that they are more comfortable in, they will become more successful in areas where they are less comfortable. I don't believe that writing is truly what makes them uncomfortable, I believe it is the information they are writing about that causes them to become very reluctant.  I also believe that if they have never before had a positive experience with writing that it will be much more difficult for them to overcome their fears without a positive experience even if it doesn't affect their grades.

Beane - Roles, Responsibilities, Ethics

Many of the Tutoring Do's and Don'ts are behaviors required not only of tutors, but of students, employees and average members of society.  Ideas like being on time and knowing your place are respectful guidelines that I take for granted as I was raised to believe they are requirements and not recommendations.  Some of these listed do's and don'ts can make or break a relationship between a tutee and a tutor.  The most important reasons that I believe we should become aware of these behaviors is because they are strategies and social rules that we can use outside of our tutee/tutor roles and in our everyday lives. 

Of all of these recommendations and requirements, the most important item that I see is that of helping to promote your students to successful confidence and competency levels. This will allow them to no longer need tutoring to see themselves as successful.  As a tutor I feel that I should not only be an encourager and help my student, I should provide examples of learning that they can implement on their own and in doing so this will allow them to become successful independently.

As a part of my Code of Ethics I would add a component of confidentiality.  Often times a tutoring/one-on-one session can open a conversation up to aspects of a person's life that one may not want shared.  As a tutor I will use personal examples, but that doesn't mean that I want those examples carried out of the classroom.  I can see, too, how a tutee could provide an example or data that they do not want repeated or copied.  A tutor/tutee confidentiality agreement could not only make the mutual understandings of the session much more comfortable, it could also allow for much more openness and understanding.

Beane - Additional Attribute

If I were to include an additional attribute for tutors I would say Following-Up with Tutees.  Often when a semester ends or when a tutee no longer requires your assistance a tutor will not see them or keep in touch.  Because of my teaching background, I find that ending that positive relationship can often be hurtful for both parties.  Keeping that connection could lead to future opportunities for collaboration, or an instance where a tutee could be an asset to the tutor for something that they need help with.  Sustaining positive relationships (despite how small a tutor/tutee relationship may seem) can be very important for everyone involved.

Beane - Easiest and Toughest Attributes

The easiest attribute for me to implement will definitely be possessing a passion for learning and teaching.  I am a teacher; I work everyday with students in my English classes.  I have a true passion for learning and teaching that cannot be taken away.  I hope that I can portray this passion through my tutoring to reach those that I am helping.

The most difficult attribute that I will be implementing will be honesty.  Often when working with someone that is already having a hard time, it is difficult to be honest and tell them the complete truth.  I tend to sugar-coat my explanations when I should really be blatantly honest.  I will overcome this personal obstacle as it is necessary for all of my tutees to become successful.

Beane - 5 Things Associated with Tutoring

As a tutor I will hold many responsibilities and have a great deal of duties to uphold.  Those that I feel are most important are:
1.  Encourager - Always encouraging tutee despite any obstacle they may face.
2.  Honesty Provider - Be honest with your tutee; expound on their strengths and weakness and what precisely they should work on.
3.  Team Player - Make your tutees aware that you will hold up your end of the "deal" if they hold up theirs toward your common goal.
4.  Consistency - Always be on time, prepared and positive to allow your tutee that consistency with their college endeavors.
5.  Passion/Relevance - Show interest (even if you are having a bad day) and help your tutee to connect their assignments/learning to their own lives.  Make everything relevant.

Altherr- New Attribute

Creativity is an attribute I would add to the list for tutors. Sometimes it might be necessary to "think outside the box" to help the tutee understand what they have been unable to comprehend. Obviously the traditional manner of learning the material is not working for them or they would not need guidance, if a way more creative could be presented to them that they can associate better with it would make for a better learning experience.

Altherr-Easiest and Toughest Attributes

In regards to what I will "bring to the table" as far as attributes goes, Work Ethic, will be the easiest for me. A strong work ethic is something I have witnessed in my own family and that no matter what the circumstances were you are responsible for the job you have been hired to do. A job well done will always be a reflection on you and something you can be proud of.
I guess because of this Empathy might be the toughest attribute for me to have. I know that things come up in people lives but think sometimes they are more excuses to not put the extra effort to succeed.

Altherr- 5 Things associated with tutoring

Tutoring to me means guidance to help tutees reach their greatest potential. Five things I associate with tutoring in regards to tutees are a 1: desire to learn 2: setting of higher goals 3: willingness to succeed 4: confidence booster 5: effort

Welcome

Welcome to the Center for Academic and Technology Support. We are happy that you have chosen to tutor with us. This blog is set up for tutor training. You will post the required responses for each module here in this blog. Make sure you check back often to see what your fellow tutors are saying and to check for announcements from the CATS. 

Dr. Gayla S. Keesee

Director for Professional Development & Learning Technologies

Donna Rush

Tutor Coordinator