Basic Tutoring Pedagogy

1
Basic Tutoring Pedagogy

• Module 1 of the Loft Tutor Training Intensive

2
Course Outcomes

• You will be able to
• Define the meanings of tutor and tutoring
• Explain the difference between editing and
  tutoring
• Comprehend the political difference between a
  peer tutor and a professional tutor
• Identify higher order versus lower order concerns
  in a tutoring session
• Understand the difference between directive and
  non-directive tutoring techniques
• React to common issues and misconceptions about
  tutoring

3
Definition of Tutor

• Tutor (noun) Someone who instructs an individual
  or small group of students in a specific subject.
  
• Tutor (Verb) To give somebody individual tuition
  in a specialized skill.

4
A More Personalized Definition

• The previous definitions are very basic.
• Can you list three qualities or traits that
  define a tutor?
• What should a tutor know?
• What should s/he act like?
• What are his or her values?
• What kind of skills should s/he possess?

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Personal Characteristics of a Successful Tutor

• Listening
• Creativity
• Kindness
• Compassion
• Humility
• Intuition
• Humor
• Flexibility
• Expertise

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A Brief Overview of the Tutorial Session

• The Tutoring Cycle

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Tutoring Cycle Overview

• Greet Student
• Ask student how you can help him/her today
• Question the student about the purpose of the
  assignment
• Read the instructors assignment instructions
• Agree on an agenda for the session
• Tutor student based on agreed agenda
• Close session
• Ask student if he/she has any further questions
• Encourage him/her to see a tutor again

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Assignments and Activities

• Students will request help on the following kinds
  of assignments
• Essays
• Research papers
• Homework
• College admission essays
• Grammar Practice
• And the following kinds of activities
• Conversation
• Pronunciation

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Tutoring is Not Editing or Proofreading

• Many students come into the Writing Center and
  ask tutors to edit or proofread their texts.
  
• Remember tutoring is not proofreading or
  editing.
• Use events like this as teaching opportunities
  to educate students about the difference between
  proofreading and tutoring.

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Tutoring Vs. Editing

• Editing or Proofreading

• Tutoring

• Identifies mistakes
• Fixes mistakes
• Marks up paper with a big, red pen
• Has authority over paper
• Focuses on product
• Text is the primary concern

• Teaches student to identify mistakes
• Helps student fix mistakes
• Writes sparingly on paper
• Does not have authority over paper
• Focuses on process
• Writer is the primary concern

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The Car Wash Metaphor

• Student Can you fix the grammar in my paper?
• Tutor WellThink about that question like this.
  If you had a car whose engine was smoking and
  dying every five minutes on the highway, would
  you take it to the car wash?
• Student No. Id take it to the mechanic.
• Tutor Exactly. Lets worry about the higher order
  concerns first, like whether the paper works or
  not, before worrying about lower order concerns
  like grammar.

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Higher Lower Order Concerns

• Higher

• Lower

• Thesis Focus
• Audience and Purpose
• Organization Development
• Composition Strategies
• Support
• Critical Thinking

• Grammar
• Spelling
• Punctuation
• Sentence Structure
• Word Choice
• Format

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Comments from Our Students

• Watch this video and see if you can identify any
  themes about how to work with students. Be
  prepared to discuss.