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Developing a
student’s power
Characteristics of
effective tutoring
-
encourages and supports
students’ initiative in seeking success.
-
points out successes,
progress.
-
recognizes that we can
guide students to discover their own abilities.
-
praises and provides
feedback to students.
-
displays enthusiasm for
subject.
-
makes it fun.
-
shows how far students
have come—shows progress over time.
-
encourages student
participation.
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engages in two-way
communication, not top-down directives. This two-way communication
is a subtle and important issue because in most other learning
environments students are passive.
-
encourages students to
do the writing and thinking; tutor structures activities so students
do the work.
-
directs student toward
independence. The more the student does, the more he believes he
can do.
-
enables students to
learn or master a skill so that eventually they can work without a
tutor.
-
tutors himself out of a
job! Students get to a point at which they no longer need a tutor.
-
brings students to
recognize the value of being independent and taking responsibility
for their own learning as the outcome of the tutoring process.
-
guides students to
become better, to teach themselves, to be confident.
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provides methods,
fosters self-sufficiency.
The Helper/Helpless Model
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tutor is viewed as an
all-knowing authority on the subject.
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student is viewed as the
helpless figure, totally dependent on the tutor.
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one way flow of
knowledge/information from tutor to student.
Empowering Model
-
student takes as much
responsibility as possible for own learning.
-
tutor provides the tools,
perhaps guidance, for learning.
-
tutor uses the
collaborative approach with two way exchange of ideas.
-
student is participant in
collaboration, optimistic about learning, open, takes responsibility
for expressing his/her own ideas.
-
student takes
responsibility for own learning.
-
tutor is viewed as role
model and peer, demonstrating obtainable goals.
Summary Notes
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do not take away
empowerment; do not let student leave responsibility for learning;
learning should be student’s responsibility.
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tutor there to provide
tools for learning.
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tutor provides a
supportive environment.
The Helpless
Model vs. Empowering Model
Side by Side
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Student is helpless.
vs.
Tutor patiently waits as student is encouraged to think on his/her own.
-
Tutor is all knowing
authority on the subject.
vs.
Collaborative effort: tutor does not assume to know everything.
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Student depends on tutor to
diagnose problems. There is a one way flow of knowledge.
vs.
A two way exchange of information.
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Tutor does work or displays
his/her work; student is not encouraged to think on his own.
vs.
Tutor points out student’s own ideas and gives student credit for his
own thoughts.
-
Student remains dependent
and dependency is reinforced.
vs.
Emphasis on methods & approaches rather than correcting single errors.
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No connection between
sessions; endless cycle of student returning for session; no progress.
vs.
Student increases skills and there is an upward spiral of progress.
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Student continues to doubt
if she can do work independently.
vs.
Student sees how to proceed on her own.
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