During my tutoring session, I learned I had a major formatting issue. When I printed the paper out it just looked like a giant box. I didn't see it initially, then during the second session it was pointed out!!!! I thought I was insane for not spotting it before, but once I compared it to the original document I saw a major difference. I learned in order to revise my paper, I needed re-shuffle, and further connect some of my ideas to my focus.
As a tutor, I learned that tutors need to know the requested assignment and how to use different methods to draw the ideas out of the student.
Tutors cannot be afraid to ask questions of the student, or point out flaws in the student's work.
In both sessions, we read each other's paper to get a starting point. We then questioned each other to see if we felt the writing touched the intended points. We discussed the tone of each other's writing and following assignment instructions.
One part of tutoring I still need to get acquainted and comfortable with is being in the "teacher" role. I'm really not accustomed to providing academic instruction-so I tend to absorb a great deal from the sessions.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Blog #4 Tutoring Experience
In my mock tutoring session, I learned some key aspects of tutoring-
a. Know the assignment!! Obviously, if you don't really know or understand what is being asked of you; how in the world are you going to provide it?!?
b. Ask the right questions!!!
If you don't ask the right questions, you won't get the right answers!
c. Try to draw out the student's focus piece during conversation. If the student and the tutor are somewhat comfortable, more information will present itself. Sometimes student's may not know how to organize their thoughts without "hearing" it out loud.
Notice the above points are not categorized by which party was tutoring and which was being tutored...guess what..... each person can learn the above regardless of where they sit!
In terms of who did the most talking during the sessions, I think while I was the tutor, the talking was pretty much equal. However, when we switched sessions-the tutor did the majority of the talking as she led me down the right path. While she did a great deal of talking, she also asked the right questions to draw out details of necessary points to be made during our session.
Either way, I learned whether you are a tutor or a student, the learning process doesn't end because you are in a position to help someone reach their academic goals.
In fact, the writing center is much more effective if the tutor and the student benefit from each session.
a. Know the assignment!! Obviously, if you don't really know or understand what is being asked of you; how in the world are you going to provide it?!?
b. Ask the right questions!!!
If you don't ask the right questions, you won't get the right answers!
c. Try to draw out the student's focus piece during conversation. If the student and the tutor are somewhat comfortable, more information will present itself. Sometimes student's may not know how to organize their thoughts without "hearing" it out loud.
Notice the above points are not categorized by which party was tutoring and which was being tutored...guess what..... each person can learn the above regardless of where they sit!
In terms of who did the most talking during the sessions, I think while I was the tutor, the talking was pretty much equal. However, when we switched sessions-the tutor did the majority of the talking as she led me down the right path. While she did a great deal of talking, she also asked the right questions to draw out details of necessary points to be made during our session.
Either way, I learned whether you are a tutor or a student, the learning process doesn't end because you are in a position to help someone reach their academic goals.
In fact, the writing center is much more effective if the tutor and the student benefit from each session.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Blog #3 WL
Writing Lab
Welcome students!!!! My name is Kay Gordon and I will work with you this semester. First, I would like to extend a warm welcome and say this is OUR lab. I want to embrace the student body so we can be comfortable and get to work.
I like to consider us "colleagues," so feel free to address your concerns and fears as well as expectations of the staff.
As we embark on this endeavor, I think we should set up baselines for effective sessions in the WL:
1) We are here if you must write a formal assignment, or if you need assistance with your writing in general. We do not discriminate!
2) If you do not have a thesis for an assignment, do not hesitate to ask for help. That is why we are here.
3) We can assist you in finding the right source types for your paper, if you are lost-you only need to ask. We will guide you in the right direction
4) Tutors are here to assist you in getting started; articulating your data; organizing your data, and guiding you toward resources. We cannot write your paper for you so please don't ask.
5) If you have an unpleasant experience here, please do not hesitate to reach out to the lab manager T. Cromwell for assistance. While this center is built on exchanging ideas to learn and draw information, our leaders are available to ensure operations run as smoothly as possible.
FINALLY, please respect that we must all share this space for collaborating and keep any noise to a minimum
Welcome students!!!! My name is Kay Gordon and I will work with you this semester. First, I would like to extend a warm welcome and say this is OUR lab. I want to embrace the student body so we can be comfortable and get to work.
I like to consider us "colleagues," so feel free to address your concerns and fears as well as expectations of the staff.
As we embark on this endeavor, I think we should set up baselines for effective sessions in the WL:
1) We are here if you must write a formal assignment, or if you need assistance with your writing in general. We do not discriminate!
2) If you do not have a thesis for an assignment, do not hesitate to ask for help. That is why we are here.
3) We can assist you in finding the right source types for your paper, if you are lost-you only need to ask. We will guide you in the right direction
4) Tutors are here to assist you in getting started; articulating your data; organizing your data, and guiding you toward resources. We cannot write your paper for you so please don't ask.
5) If you have an unpleasant experience here, please do not hesitate to reach out to the lab manager T. Cromwell for assistance. While this center is built on exchanging ideas to learn and draw information, our leaders are available to ensure operations run as smoothly as possible.
FINALLY, please respect that we must all share this space for collaborating and keep any noise to a minimum
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Blog # 2 Lunsford and Collaboration
Lunsford felt passionately about the effects of collaborative work in writing centers. She spoke of Writing Centers becoming a place where students and tutors could work together to produce written work.
What she did not want was the writing centers becoming "classrooms", instead of a place that embraced each student's unique writing needs.
She argued collaboration breeds the following:
Aids in problem solving
Learning abstractions
Critical thinking
Transfer of knowledge
Greater achievement
The writing center should be a meeting of the minds and various levels (tutor and student, tutors and leaders). Simultaneously, leaders should ensure the respective efforts. She made a point to say control, power and authority would basically be shared by those who utilize the center.
I agree with the last sentence, simply put -if writing center policies are based on those who use it, tutor and those who manage it, it will evolve continuously to meet the needs of its students.
What she did not want was the writing centers becoming "classrooms", instead of a place that embraced each student's unique writing needs.
She argued collaboration breeds the following:
Aids in problem solving
Learning abstractions
Critical thinking
Transfer of knowledge
Greater achievement
The writing center should be a meeting of the minds and various levels (tutor and student, tutors and leaders). Simultaneously, leaders should ensure the respective efforts. She made a point to say control, power and authority would basically be shared by those who utilize the center.
I agree with the last sentence, simply put -if writing center policies are based on those who use it, tutor and those who manage it, it will evolve continuously to meet the needs of its students.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Blog #1 Writing Tutors*******
Writing centers provide a sense a comfort to those who feel lost in terms of written pieces. Whether its aid in writing an organized piece, or writing tutoring in general writing practices.
The principles I think I would see in a writing center are:
A) Empathy
B) Not being judgemental
C) Open door policy
D) Non-Assertiveness
E) Fair treatment as peers
The principles I think I would see in a writing center are:
A) Empathy
B) Not being judgemental
C) Open door policy
D) Non-Assertiveness
E) Fair treatment as peers
Monday, September 14, 2009
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