As a tutor, you face unique challenges every day, striving to meet the diverse needs of your students while navigating the complexities of modern education. You understand the importance of leveraging technology to create personalized learning experiences, and you’re eager to explore how online tutorials can enhance your teaching in differentiated environments. Whether you’re transitioning from traditional classrooms to the flexibility of online tutoring or seeking greater alignment with your personal values, you’re committed to finding the most effective ways to support your students. In this session, you’ll discover valuable insights on adapting your methods, addressing the concept of moral injury, and ensuring your teaching environment reflects your ethical beliefs, all while maximizing your impact and job satisfaction.
Enhancing Differentiation with Online Tutorials
In a tutoring context, it was discovered that leveraging technology can significantly enhance differentiated learning. A tutor working with a GCSE group of eight students, each studying different subjects, found it necessary to elevate their differentiation strategies. They began creating online tutorials to address the diverse needs of their students, using these resources in school to help those who needed to catch up or required assistance with homework. This approach allowed the tutor to cater effectively to individual learning requirements within a single group. Tutors can apply this strategy by developing their own online tutorials tailored to the specific subjects and needs of their students, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of their tutoring sessions.
Foster a Safe and Reflective Learning Environment: Create a tutoring space that encourages curiosity, generosity, and reflection. By maintaining an open-minded and gentle approach, tutors can help students feel supported and not alone in their learning journey. This environment fosters deeper engagement and personal growth, both for the tutor and the student.
Understand and Adapt to Individual Student Journeys: Recognize that each student’s educational path is unique. Some may come from traditional teaching backgrounds, while others might have different experiences and reasons for seeking tutoring. Tailor your strategies to meet these diverse needs, and be willing to pivot your approach as necessary to best support each student’s learning journey.
Embracing Online Tutoring’s Versatility
In transitioning from traditional teaching to online tutoring, tutors have discovered a newfound satisfaction and effectiveness by aligning their methods with personal values and the flexibility of digital platforms. One tutor expressed this sentiment vividly, stating, “When we went into first lockdown… and we went online and I was like I love this… the tutoring that I had been doing kind of face to face locally… the stuff that I built up in and a blended learning and use my tutorials and then just doing online was just like I love what I’m here it’s so versatile.” This reflects a significant shift where the tutor embraced the versatility of online tutoring, integrating blended learning and existing tutorial materials into their sessions. For tutors looking to make a similar transition, it is crucial to leverage the adaptability of online platforms to tailor sessions that resonate with their teaching philosophy and enhance student engagement. By doing so, tutors can create a more fulfilling and impactful online tutoring experience.
“Navigating Moral Injury: Tutors’ Ethical Shifts to Tutoring”
Tutors have discovered that the concept of ‘moral injury’ significantly impacts their decision to transition from traditional classroom settings to tutoring. As one tutor shared, “The cognitive dissonance that you spoke about and contributing to the damage in the classroom is something that I… speak about with tutors very very often… I call it… moral injury… that is that pain of doing what you believe is the wrong thing.” This moral injury arises from the pain of engaging in practices that conflict with a tutor’s ethical beliefs. For instance, a tutor might feel compelled to leave a classroom environment where they are pressured to prioritize standardized test scores over holistic student development. To apply this insight practically, tutors should reflect on how their current teaching environment aligns with their values and consider how tutoring can offer a more ethically satisfying career path where they can still thrive as educators.
“I had a GCSE group in that first set of revision courses I did that had eight def kids doing eight different GCSEs in one group and I was like whoa this is like differentiation…I had to really up my game on differentiation and this is when I started making these online tutorials.”
Implementing QT Strategies for Tutors
Tutors can enhance their practice by implementing specific strategies discussed in the QT conversations. To foster a safe and engaging learning environment, tutors should prioritize curiosity, generosity, and reflection in their sessions. For instance, they can encourage students to explore new ideas by asking open-ended questions that stimulate critical thinking, which can be particularly beneficial for students with Dysgraphia. Additionally, tutors should be generous with their time and resources, offering extra support or materials when needed. Reflecting on each session’s outcomes can help tutors identify effective techniques and areas for improvement. By adopting these principles, tutors can create a supportive and dynamic learning experience for their students.
“There was a cognitive dissonance between what was happening in schools in the education system…I felt I was contributing to this system that was damaging to children…when we went into first lockdown and we went online…everything just converged…I love what I’m doing here, it’s so versatile.”
Tutors can significantly enhance their professional growth and business outcomes by adopting the strategies discussed in the QT conversations. By engaging in these sessions, tutors not only gain valuable insights and innovative approaches to tutoring, such as understanding and addressing learning difficulties like Dyscalculia, but also expand their professional network, which can lead to increased membership inquiries and business opportunities. The emphasis on being curious, generous, and reflective fosters a supportive environment that encourages continuous learning and improvement. Tutors should approach these strategies with realistic expectations, understanding that consistent application will gradually enhance their practice and business. Embracing these approaches can lead to a more fulfilling and prosperous tutoring career.
As a tutor, you play a crucial role in shaping your students’ educational journeys. By leveraging technology for differentiated learning and aligning your teaching methods with your personal values, you can create a more fulfilling and effective learning environment. Remember, your actions can help mitigate the risk of moral injury and enhance your job satisfaction as you transition to online tutoring.
Take a moment today to reflect on how you can better cater to the individual needs of your students using the tools and resources at your disposal. The journey ahead in tutoring is filled with opportunities for growth and impact.
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Author: Laura Lurns
Find me on X https://x.com/lauralurns