Do you offer online tutoring strategies & reminders:
- Seek out training to be a more effective tutor; this includes subject matter as well as the tutoring procedures.
- Clearly establish expectations for your learner; what are the expectations of the learner? of the teacher? and of those close to the learner (classmates, department, school, family, etc.)
- Keep and follow a consistent set of rules; write them down; post them; refer to them! Rules are necessary, but must be mutually agreed upon with the learner. They must be fair and enforced consistently. Rules cut down on unnecessary struggles.
- Have a clear idea of your own strengths and limitations and what skills or knowledge you can offer as a tutor. One reward of tutoring is the opportunity to use and apply what you have learned.
- Know the learner: Discover his or her strengths and challenges in learning. Under what circumstances does he or she learn best? poorly? (Do not assume that everyone's learning styles or conditions are the same, or similar to yours)
- Build a relationship and trust.
- Be aware of the differences between you and the learner. You are not trying to change the learner, but to accommodate and use their learning style(s) in order to complete the tasks. Since you are more experienced, it is your challenge to adjust, adapt, or find a way
- Be open and honest: Sarcasm and condescension are not productive. We do not tutor to impress, but rather to help.
- Do not be afraid to acknowledge that the chemistry between you and the learner isn't right, and that another tutor might be more effective. The goal is to help, not endure
- Make sure the learner knows it is safe not to succeed at first; Learning is a process that often involves unsuccessful attempts. This is not failure since options are eliminated toward the correct solution. Learning and problem solving require passing through a period of sorting through facts and options toward success.
- The tutoring session: Listen closely to work out the real problem; Check to see if the learner has prepared with some time and effort and attempted the assignments.
- Assess the situation; think in terms of realistic objectives; develop a "contract" of
agreed upon learning outcomes
expectations of communication (availability, one/several sessions;
means of communication (face-to-face, e-mail, telephone, etc.) - Use questions to enhance problem solving.
- Demonstrate or model similar processes.
- Don't be afraid to reveal that you don't know something. You can refer the learner to more sources, including the teacher. You can take the opportunity to learn/problem-solve, and bring back answers, and demonstrate that you are in a learning process as well.
- Give positive feedback, use encouraging vocabulary.
- Find success, and reinforce effort, in even minor accomplishment.
- Summarize and review. Enable follow up.
- Celebrate accomplishment!
- Keep records for future reference.
- Tutors are to act professionally and ethically at all times.
- Tutors should have reliable access to a computer
What qualifications do I need to become an online tutor with US
Minimum Qualifications:
- A completed or in process Bachelors degree in the subject(s) you would like to teach
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English Language
- Passion for teaching
- Teaching experience
- Computer skills (comfortable with using technology tools needed for communicating effectively online)