CRLA I Topic 1
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Definition of Tutoring and Tutor Responsibilities: (Level I CRLA #1)

What is Tutoring??

The dictionary describes a tutor as a person who gives individual or small group instruction combining content knowledge, empathy, honesty, and humor with a caring attitude and unique teaching strategies. 

The purpose of tutoring is to help student help themselves or to assist or guide them to the point at which they become independent learners, and thus no longer need a tutor. 

Content knowledge is an essential ingredient for a tutor; however, to be truly effective, a tutor must combine content knowledge with empathy, honesty and humor. Empathy requires tutors to “read” the emotional states, attitudes and perceptions of their students. Empathy is the ability to see others from their personal frame of reference and to communicate this understanding to the person involved. In order for tutors to establish a supportive relationship with their students, tutors must be open and honest. Students are often reluctant to talk with a stranger about their academic problems. If a tutor is perceived as genuine and having a strong desire to listen, students will be more willing to open up and discuss their problems. Humor can also play an important part in a tutoring session. Humor can reduce tension. Shared laughter is a powerful way to reinforce learning. Humor can set student at ease and increase rapport. Humor can also be used to compliment, to guide, or to provide negative feedback in a positive manner.

In addition, a successful tutor demonstrates a caring attitude which  consists of being organized for the tutoring session, being punctual, establishing a learning relationship with the student, developing unique teaching strategies, and becoming familiar with the learning process. 

 

Ultimately, tutoring is sharing yourself with another student in a way that makes a difference in both your lives. (Read – Introduction to Tutoring)

 A tutor:

  • Promotes independence in learning;
  • Personalizes instruction;
  • Facilitates tutee insights into learning and the learning processes;
  • Provides a student perspective on learning and school success
  • Respects individual differences

 

 View Film Module 1:  “A Look at Productive Tutoring Techniques”  In the Kent Library

The Tutor’s Role

                                    Tutor as a Helper  

  • Helps students learn and help themselves

  • Listens to problem

  • Suggests a course of action  

  • Gives tutoring help as needed

                        Tutor as a Peer Learner  

  • Tutors are student learners and not responsible for all answers  
  • One of many resources for students (instructor – discipline coordinator)  

                                   Tutor as a Teacher

  • Explains subjects  using various techniques  

                                     Tutor as a Learning Center Employee  

  • Acts as a representative of Kent Campus FCCJ

  • Acts as agent between his/her students and Learning Center

  • Responsible for explaining policies as needed

  • Responsible for fulfilling personal schedules and adhering to the policies and procedures of the Learning Center.

 Benefits to the Tutor 

  • Heightens sense of competence/adequacy in confirming to a new roll

  • Encourages higher levels of thinking  

  •   Increases motivation to learn in order to maintain new role  

  • Increases ability to manage own learning and study strategies  

  • Increases subject specific knowledge  

  • Increases related general knowledge

  •  Increases understanding of subject area

  • Improves attitude toward subject  

  • Provides more empathy with students  

(Read – Introduction to Tutoring)  

       Benefits to students who receive tutoring

  • Offers more individualized, systematic, structured learning experience  

  • Provides grater congruence between teacher and learner, close role model 

  • Improves academic performance and personal growth

  • Improves attitude toward subject area 

  • Generates stronger effects than other individualized teaching strategies  

  •   Motivate self-paces and self-directed learning

  •   Provides intensive practice for students who need it  

  • Improves self esteem

(Read – Introduction to Tutoring)

 

                        Benefits to the College

  • Increases opportunity to reinforce instruction

  • Increases positive student interaction

  • Enhances measurable positive changes in attitude towards teaching/learning for the participants.

  •   Improves educational climate  

  • Facilitates ethnic and racial integration

(Read – Introduction to Tutoring)

 

 

Self Study   Read and study the material .  View film module 1 and copy/complete/print your in depth answers to the following questions.   Submit your answers to your supervisor and review paper with him/her and/or participate in supervisor directed workshop.

 

  1. Describe what tutoring means to you, and tell why you want to tutor in the Learning Center.

 

 

  1. What direct benefits (besides money) do you expect to get from your job as a tutor?

 

 

  1. List five (5) job responsibilities besides the actual tutoring, and tell why they are important to the Learning Center.

 

  1. What can a student expect when he/she comes to you for help?