Review Questions for Discussion

1. Define "tutor"
   • A person who assists professional educators by assisting one or more students achieve educational objectives.

2. Four primary goals of tutoring are to help the student develop:
   • academic and non-academic skills
   • improved self-confidence
   • positive attitude toward learning
   • effective communication skills

3. List the five major components of a tutoring plan.
   • statement of objective
   • outline of activities and instructional procedures
   • list of materials to be used
   • plan for reinforcement
   • procedures for record keeping

4. Describe a technique that might be used by the supervisor prior to the tutoring session to determine the tutor's ability to conduct the instructional activities.
   • The teacher and tutor could role play the tutoring session with the teacher first modeling the activity for the tutor. They could then exchange roles and the teacher could evaluate the tutor's performance.

5. List two ways to help the tutor insure that the student understands the task to be completed.
   • Give clear, concise directions
   • Insure that the student is attending
   • Select appropriate vocabulary
   • Explain the purpose of the lesson
   • Present only one assignment at a time

6. Write a verbal statement that would provide positive feedback to a student who is learning to complete a job application.
   • Good, you have written neatly and filled in all of the required information.
   • You have done a fine job of describing your previous experience.
   • Great, your application is complete and will surely make a good impression.

7. What is the purpose of providing positive reinforcement to students in a tutoring situation?
   • To maintain a positive, motivating relationship with the student
   • To express encouragement and support

8. Describe two good practices to follow in asking questions during instruction.
   • Ask open-ended questions that require more than a "yes" or "no" answer
   • Order questions in a sequence designed to guide students toward the conclusion
   • Include literal, recognition, and inference soliciting questions
   • Use questions to lead the student toward generalizations

9. What is the tutor's goal in responding to a student's request for help?
   • To assist students in the process of finding a solution to their problem without providing the answer

10. What two types of reinforcement can be used in tutoring students?
    • Verbal and nonverbal

11. What are the primary considerations in determining the location and arrangement of the tutoring site?
    • The students' needs and the activities to be conducted

12. List three factors to be accounted for in arranging the tutoring site.
    • Furniture is appropriate for activity and students involved.
    • Area is free of distraction.
    • Lighting and ventilation are adjusted and appropriate.
    • Other students should not be disturbed by tutoring activities.
    • Materials are gathered and ready to use.
    • Equipment is in good working order.

13. Name two factors that should be considered in designing a record keeping system?
    • System should be simple to maintain.
    • System should reflect the objectives the student is pursuing.
    • System should be helpful in planning future instruction.

14. What are the two purposes of evaluating a tutoring session?
    • To determine the progress made by the student.
    • To evaluate the effectiveness of the tutor in conducting the session.

15. List two ways a tutor's effectiveness can be evaluated.
    • Self-evaluation
    • Supervising teacher's observation

16. Describe techniques useful in developing a positive student-tutor relationship.
    • Use the student's first name.
    • Establish eye contact with the student.
    • Discuss areas in which the student has an interest.

17. List six responsibilities of the supervising teacher in implementing tutoring activities.
    • Selecting students to participate.
    • Determining instructional objectives.
    • Designing the tutoring plan.
    • Selecting materials to be used.
    • Training tutor and modeling instructional procedures.
    • Designing the record keeping system.
    • Determining location and time for tutoring.
    • Selecting reinforcements to be used.
    • Supervising the tutoring sessions.
    • Determining follow-up activities.
    • Evaluating the tutoring session.
    • Evaluating the student's performance.

18. What information would be useful to the supervising teacher prior to planning tutor training?
    • Instructional skills to be used in tutoring.
    • Tutor's existing skills (needs assessment results).
    • Instructional needs of students.

19. List four activities that could be appropriately conducted by a tutor.
    • Non-academic and academic areas: additional practice or review of skills
    • Informal assessment of skills
    • Preparation of materials
    • Observing, recording, and charting student behavior
    • Recording student progress
    • Reading to students, listening to students read
    • Assisting with training in self-help skills

20. What are the advantages of adequate training for the tutor? For the supervisor? For the students?
    • Tutor feels confident in carrying out the teacher's tutoring plan, recording student behavior, and interacting with student.
    • Supervisor has confidence in tutor's demonstrated abilities, can use data collected by tutor to evaluate and plan, and knows tutor is prepared to present instruction and reinforcement according to the tutoring plan.
    • Students are interacting with adult who is consistent with classroom teacher, have increased opportunities for instruction, and receive additional reinforcement for their performance.