My top 10 tips on how to become a better tutor

Summary

In her video, Lisa, founder of Lisa Study Guides, shares ten essential tips for tutors to enhance their effectiveness. She emphasizes the importance of communication with parents, tracking student progress, and incorporating interactive activities. Lisa encourages tutors to consider the bigger picture, share personal experiences, and maintain detailed notes on each student. She highlights the need to set homework, seek feedback, establish clear boundaries, and embrace uncertainty when faced with difficult questions. These insights aim to help tutors create a supportive and productive learning environment for their students.

Takeaways

• 😀 Communicate with parents and guardians to ensure a unified support system for the student.
• 📊 Track student performance over time, but understand that fluctuations can occur for various reasons.
• 🎮 Incorporate interactive activities at the beginning of sessions to boost student engagement and assess understanding.
• 🔍 Focus on the bigger picture; discuss external factors affecting performance, like stress and study breaks.
• 🗣️ Share personal experiences to build rapport and help students relate to the material.
• 📝 Keep detailed notes for each student to track their progress and the effectiveness of each session.
• 📚 Set homework or monitor outside work to reinforce learning and maintain a consistent study routine.
• 🤔 Seek feedback from students to refine your teaching methods and better support their learning styles.
• 🔒 Set clear boundaries and expectations with students to ensure a productive tutoring environment.
• 💡 It's okay not to know everything; use unknown questions as opportunities to learn and provide additional resources.

Q & A

Why is it important to communicate with parents and guardians as a tutor?

Communicating with parents and guardians helps to create a cohesive support network for the student, ensuring that everyone is aligned in their efforts to assist the student's learning. This collaboration can lead to more effective tutoring outcomes.

What should tutors track when monitoring student performance?

Tutors should keep track of students' performance in assessments over time, but they should also remember that various factors, like anxiety or lack of sleep, can affect performance on any given day. The focus should be on long-term growth rather than individual assessments.

How can interactive activities enhance tutoring sessions?

Interactive activities engage students from the start of a session, motivating them and helping tutors assess their understanding. These activities can serve as a warm-up and provide insights into how to tailor the rest of the lesson.

What does it mean to look at the bigger picture in tutoring?

Looking at the bigger picture involves considering factors outside of academic performance that might affect a student's learning, such as stress management and the importance of breaks. This holistic approach can prevent burnout and promote overall well-being.

Why is sharing personal experiences beneficial in tutoring?

Sharing personal experiences allows tutors to build rapport with students, demonstrating relatability and understanding. This can make learning more engaging and relatable for students.

What is the significance of keeping detailed notes as a tutor?

Keeping detailed notes helps tutors remember individual student needs, effective strategies, and session plans. This organization is especially crucial as the number of students increases.

How should tutors approach homework and independent work with students?

Tutors should emphasize the importance of independent study alongside tutoring sessions. Setting homework or keeping tabs on outside work helps students develop a routine that supports their learning.

What is a practical way to seek feedback from students?

Tutors can ask students direct and actionable questions about their learning experience, such as, 'How do you think you learn best?' This feedback can help tutors adjust their methods to better suit individual needs.

Why is it crucial to set clear boundaries with students?

Setting clear boundaries helps establish expectations for both the tutor and the student. This clarity fosters a healthy tutor-student relationship and ensures both parties understand what to expect.

What should tutors do if they encounter questions they cannot answer?

If tutors are faced with questions they cannot confidently answer, they should take the opportunity to research the information and provide a thorough response later. This approach not only helps the tutor grow but also ensures the student receives accurate information.