Unit 4: Tutoring Methods

Unit Introduction

Review the brief introduction on the unit's content to prepare yourself for the material found within this page.

Overview

In order to better understand the significance of structuring and modifying the learning environment, we will look at tutoring from the perspective of tutoring methods. In particular, this section focuses on the Theory of Tutoring Methods and its relationship to tutoring. This unit looks at six different methods connected to tutoring to assist tutors in enhancing the experience of students within a tutoring session. Also, please view the reading articles and complete the activities within this page before moving onto the next step.

Tutoring Benefits

Review the Theory of Tutoring Methods.
Learn why utilizing Tutoring Methods is key to assisting learners.
Review how the 6-different Tutoring Methods can be used.
Demonstrate how to use the 6-different methods within a tutoring session.

Educational Theory & Key Concepts

Read the key concepts on the Theory of Customized/Personalized Learning.

What are Tutoring Methods?

Tutoring scholars Ryan and Zimmerelli (2010) argue that tutoring methods should be used during a tutoring session, but they don't have a formula for the perfect amount of tutoring methods. The scholars liken tutoring methods to "hats," and they insist that a tutor might be called to wear a different hat, at any given moment, to provide a personalized approach to best assist a learner. These "hats" are important functions in structuring and modifying the learning environment within a tutoring session. The scholars insist there are at least 6 types of methods tutors can use to personalize or customized a tutoring session for learners. These methods include: being an ally, coach, commentator, collaborator, fellow learner, and/or mini counselor (p. 28-31). During a given session, a tutor might be called to wear 1 or all 6 hats to customized the learning experience of a given learner.

Why are Tutoring Methods Important and How Do They Help?

Application

Review the tutoring methods and see how it can be utilize to modify the learning environment within a tutoring session.

As an employee of the No'eau Center, you will be expected to utilize tutoring methods within tutoring sessions. There are several effective ways implement tutoring methods within a tutoring session, this includes monitoring, in other words, listening and observing. After you have assessed the learner needs, you should have an idea of what the student needs.

One way to know what type of tutoring method to use within a session is to gauge the students verbal and non-verbal communication. It is important to listen to what the student is saying and observe his or her body language. Students can give a lot of signals both verbal and non-verbal that a tutor should understand. A student slouching and looking down might need a different tutoring method compared to a rigid student. Review the examples below to see how you can implement different tutoring methods within a tutoring session based on students verbal and non-verbal communication.

Best Practices

Read articles on tutoring methods and the Theory of Customized Learning.

Please read

Tutoring Methods: What Not to Do (note: while this piece focuses on writing tutoring; but, at its core, I see it as synonymous with subject tutoring)

The below article is optional - consider skimming through it.

Different Approaches to Tutoring (note: this transcript represents the Tutoring Methods viewed above; you are welcome to skim through it; consider saving it for your own use)