Ever wondered if you’re truly making a difference as a tutor? It’s a question that haunts many of us as we strive to guide our students toward success. In a recent episode of the QT Conversations podcast, a group of seasoned tutors shared their insights on how to measure effectiveness and ensure that our tutoring sessions are not just productive, but transformative. From the nuances of discovery calls to the art of assessing learning, this discussion is packed with actionable advice that can revolutionize your approach to tutoring.
The Importance of Discovery Calls
The episode kicks off with a deep dive into the significance of discovery calls, which serve as the initial assessment of a student’s needs and attitudes. Tutor D emphasized the importance of establishing rapport quickly during these calls, using her coaching skills to pick up on non-verbal cues and ask probing questions. This approach helps to align the student’s goals with what the tutor can deliver, setting the stage for a successful tutoring relationship. Problem Solving Skills are often at the heart of these discussions, as tutors work to identify and address the specific challenges each student faces.
2. Measuring Progress is Subtle: Tutors need to look beyond grades and focus on the student’s attitude, engagement, and incremental improvements.
3. Collaboration is Key: Effective tutoring is a partnership where both parties must actively participate and communicate openly about goals and progress.
Assessing Learning and Measuring Impact
One of the central themes of the podcast was how to assess whether learning is taking place. Tutor Margaret Mary shared a poignant example of a student on the brink of an epiphany, highlighting the importance of being attuned to the subtle shifts in a student’s understanding. This kind of nuanced observation is essential for measuring the impact of tutoring sessions. It’s not just about the end result but about recognizing and celebrating the small victories along the way.
The Role of Creativity in Learning
Jenna brought a refreshing perspective to the conversation by emphasizing the role of creativity in learning. She described how she encourages students to express their knowledge in unconventional ways, such as writing poems or raps about the material. This approach not only makes learning more engaging but also helps to assess Cognitive Processing Skills in a more holistic manner. By allowing students to demonstrate their understanding through creative outlets, tutors can gain a deeper insight into their cognitive processes and learning styles.
Parental Feedback and Collaboration
D underscored the value of parental feedback in measuring the effectiveness of tutoring. Parents often see changes in their child’s attitude and behavior that might not be immediately apparent in a tutoring session. Regular check-ins with parents can provide valuable insights into the student’s progress and help tutors adjust their approach as needed. This collaborative effort between tutor and parent is crucial for fostering a supportive learning environment.
I think the discovery call going back to that point is really important and I actually have it as part of my terms now where I say that in order to help you evaluate what you’re may be about to use in terms of my services there’s a couple of different options.
The Power of Metacognition
Fay discussed the importance of metacognition in the learning process, particularly in subjects like philosophy that require deep thinking. By teaching students to reflect on their own thought processes and articulate their understanding on paper, tutors can help them bridge the gap between verbal comprehension and written expression. This approach not only enhances their learning but also prepares them for the demands of formal assessments.
I think something specific that I kind of was thinking about was it Margaret Mary who was just speaking before…so I think even when you’re doing that pre-exam learning and you’re not feeling like you’re getting the answers you want when you’re asking them to demonstrate their understanding there are two kind of avenues that I tend to take one is going through the metacognition telling them why you’re asking them the way that you are telling them that you are looking for something specific in the context of thinking about exams and the way that you demonstrate knowledge there or the kinds of knowledge that that automatically is asking for but also looking at like I find that when a young person understands the me metacognition of retrieval and the Neuroscience behind some of that even for really young kids very that that makes a difference in that they have a better understanding of what you’re asking and how you’re asking it and why you’re asking it the way that you are that means they have more um almost accurity and just that that introspection and everything to be able to actively go through the steps to retrieve it in the way that that they’re needing to but also that the way like a lot of people think that that asking for understanding is like hey can you tell me this answer or answer this question or what do you know about X or do you know this and there are lots of different ways of asking that question we do sometimes talk about that we’ve talked about that here before but I think we could talk about that for ages but I think the bigger part that we talk about a lot less is the answers the format of those answers even if you’re preparing for an exam it doesn’t have to be here’s a Google doc or here’s an exam paper or a question on on paper write out your answer in this format it could be to write a silly poem about it pretend that you’re doing if you’ve heard the um the uh robot mini robot in a human skin skeleton song I don’t know how many of you are on your diversion Tik Tok but that sort of thing right pretend that you’re explaining this to a five old or to an alien or someone who’s never had this or do it find go and research songs about this like we had so much fun for one of my level N9 students last year who was doing her gcss to go and find raps and songs about MC Beth and it was Absolut hilarious and I have got a whole playlist specific like several playlists of those.
Embracing the Journey of Tutoring
As tutors, our journey is one of continuous learning and adaptation. By embracing discovery calls, fostering creativity, and collaborating with parents, we can create a dynamic and effective learning environment. The key is to stay attuned to the subtle signs of progress and celebrate the small victories along the way. Remember, the villain here is the belief that learning is static and unchangeable. By challenging this notion and embracing the growth mindset, we can help our students reach their full potential. Join the Learning Success affiliate program to enhance your tutoring services and boost your income while helping your students overcome learning challenges.
Author: Laura Lurns
Find me on X https://x.com/lauralurns