As a part of "The Role of the Tutor/ Writing Advisor" training, Tutors and Writing Advisors will learn about

1. Ethics and Goals
2. Challenges and Rewards
3. Do's and Don'ts
4. First Session Checklist (Be familiar with forms and assessments)

This segment of training includes

1. a 50-minute training workshop (Workshop #3)
2. reading "The Role of the Tutor/ Writing Advisor" segment of the web-based TIP Tutor Training Manual
3. quizzes
4. an evaluation

A Tutor's Comments - by Stella Lee

"As a tutor, writing advisor or office staff at TIP you are a role model for students using our services. Your words and actions demonstrate ethical and professional behavior that can leave a strong impression on students. It is essential for you to show a positive and professional attitude toward your work.

You should set an example of punctuality and responsibility. You must be on time for tutoring sessions, so the student understands the importance of being on time as well. Since the student is expected to show up at every tutoring session, you, as well, should not miss any sessions. If you must miss a session, you should inform the student and your supervisor ahead of time. It is unprofessional for you or your student not to show up for a session.

In addition, you need to demonstrate professionalism in the way you communicate with your students. You should ask appropriate questions and receive criticism in a positive way. For example, if the student thinks you are in the wrong, you could ask, 'how can I improve?' instead of 'why do you criticize me like that?' Setting an example of professional, polite communication is one of the key roles of the Tutor."

Tutor's Code of Ethics

Tutors are expected to follow TIP Service Policies and to maintain high standards of professional behavior. Our expectations align with the expectations of CRLA Members. Be familiar with CRLA's Ethics Statement.

In addition to the ethics laid out by the CRLA, Tutors must

• Inform their students of the purposes, goals, and limits of the tutor and student relationship.
• Keep all information pertaining to student identity and tutoring sessions confidential.
• Be committed to their assigned students until the end of the semester.

Fundamental Goals of Tutors

Tutors work one-on-one with students through the semester. The goals of tutoring are to:

• help students understand their course content;
• improve their study, reading and writing skills;
• encourage students to become self-sufficient;
• identify learning strengths and weaknesses;
• find appropriate materials; and
• create tutoring plans and materials.

The Challenges of Tutoring and Writing Advising

Because Gallaudet students' backgrounds and communication styles vary, tutors and writing advisors are challenged to be flexible and quick to meet students' academic needs. Tutors and Writing Advisors may work with students with:

• learning disabilities;
• varying levels of emotional maturity;
• diverse expectations of our services;
• different educational levels in math and English.

Addressing Coursework

Students will often bring in class work and ask the tutor to help. Tutors are allowed to guide the student through some of their coursework, but must be sure not to do the entire assignment with the student. It is forbidden to do any class work FOR the student. If the student brings in homework that the teacher has already graded, it is fine to review and explain the entire assignment.

Students Without Coursework

Students will also show up for their tutoring session when they have no course work to do. In these situations, Tutors are encouraged to stress the importance of on-going practice even if there is no homework. Tutors should have materials prepared to work on specific skills with their students. This requires Tutors to use preparation time in preparing "lesson plans" for their students. You should try to continually find new exercises for your student to work on in addition to class work.

Doing Writing Advice

Students also may ask for advice on writing assignments. If qualified, Tutors can provide writing advice on a student's paper, but must do a session log and explain to the student that the Supervisor will send a short report to the teacher. Teachers need to know how much help students get with writing assignments.

Some Keys to Tutoring and Writing Advising

Although being a Tutor or Writing Advisor is challenging, it is rewarding to see students succeed because of information and guidance that you have provided. The key to tutoring and writing advice is to

• lead the students to figure out the answers/solutions themselves;
• provide materials;
• demonstrate examples;
• explain rules;
• ask questions to engage them in the learning process.

Rewards of Tutoring and Writing Advising

Jobs in which people help people are intrinsically rewarding. In addition to earning money, many Tutors and Writing Advisors find their jobs rewarding in the sense that they've

• felt joy in seeing their students understand new information;
• watched their students make progress;
• gotten to know new people;
• learned new strengths about themselves as Tutors;
• had opportunity to review course material.

Do's and Don't's for Tutors and Writing Advisors

DO

• Maintain confidentiality of all information pertaining to students.
• Be on time for work.
• Inform your student and your supervisor if you will be late or absent by calling (202) 651-5832 via VP or Sorenson VPS or by emailing TIP@gallaudet.edu or directly to your supervisor.
• If a student is absent, send an email to the student saying that you are concerned about the student's absence, with a cc (copy) to your supervisor.
• Always record your attendance in the eTime system .
• Make sure you and your students sign-in and out.
• Always discourage plagiarism.
• Encourage a positive student/teacher relationship.
• Encourage students to meet with their teachers regularly.
• If you suspect a learning disability in your student, talk to your supervisor immediately.

DON'T

• Do not give advice on take-home tests except with explicit permission from the Instruction for grammer feedback.
• Do not edit students' work.
• Don't give wrong information. If you don't know something, don't guess! Tell the student you will check and get back to them.
• Never disagree with a grade received by a student, or say anything negative about the instructor. The instructor, not you, is the authority.
• Do not guess what the teacher's expectations are. If your student doesn't understand an assignment, and you are unsure about the teacher's expectations, suggest the student discuss it with the instructor.
• Never estimate grades for a student, even by implication.
• Do not interrupt other Tutors/Advisors when they are with students.
• Do not do any tutoring or advising outside of TIP.
• Do not bring students' papers out of TIP.
• Do not use pagers and Instant Messaging (IM's), browse the internet or do personal communication, or projects while you are tutoring students.
• Do not eat or drink near computers.

First Session Checklist

The first session is a critical period in establishing rapport and consistency with your student. Following the steps below will help you and your student establish a solid student-tutor relationship.

• Log In. Explain to the student that they must log in and out for each session.
• Explain your role as the Tutor/Writing Advisor. (You are there to help the student improve his/her study skills, test taking, time management, reading comprehension, writing, and understanding of course content).
• Get a copy of the syllabus for the student's file.
• Review the Policies & Rules in the TIP manual and the Add/Drop/Change Form (pdf) with the student.
• Have your student complete the Cook Counseling Center Study Skills Inventory. Discuss results and make recommendations for your student. (Don't forget to applaud their strengths.)
• English Tutors should ask students for a copy of an old essay or report for diagnostic and preparation purposes. They also should complete a Student Tutorial Assessment form (pdf).
• After your meeting, log out.
• English Tutors and Advisors must write a session log in Accutrack.

Click here to print out the checklist

Links

The Successful Tutorial (Lynchburg College)
Tutoring Students with Short Attention Spans (Drew University)