Tutors Introduction:

Online tutoring is usually associated with university and college writing centers, math labs, English labs and tutoring centers. These resource centers help students with questions they have about any type of class work and supply students with tools that help them to succeed in their classes. Tutorials, practice problems, models and handouts combined with trained tutors are the core of the centers. Virtual online tutoring is an additional student resource which accommodates the many distance education students who are unable to visit a physical site. There are different systems and techniques that may be used to tutor over the computer. In researching and interviewing learning center directors, it has been discovered that most program directors have already incorporated their own styles and preferences into their tutor training programs. Therefore, this tutor portion includes what are consider to be the best tips and guidelines for online tutoring.

The following practical tips will help smooth the transition from face-to-face to cyber space. Sandra Miller, past Director of Learning Assistance Centers and Support Services at Atlantic Cape Community College, compiled these comments from their online tutors to be offered as advice for other tutors embarking on the virtual tour of tutoring.

1. Establish contact immediately. Do not wait to reply. Both online tutoring intake personnel and online tutors should check their e-mail/bulletin boards everyday.

2. Tutors should introduce themselves and talk to students about their problems in more ways than just answering the question. They should make it a point to respond to the tone of the e-mail (is it a complete call for help or just one question that needs answering?).

3. Tutors should use as many illustrative examples as possible since they cannot draw on the board for the tutees. For example, one of my math tutors explained a problem that was just expressed in numbers by translating it into a word problem and showing how it made sense to solve it using the right mathematical formula.

4. If possible, the college should offer the tutees other ways for tutor and tutee to meet than just e-mail. For instance, bulletin boards from which others can learn as well, and chat rooms. Of course, with bulletin boards, students need to be told that others will be able to see their questions and responses. Still, some really great discussions get going this way.

5. Advise the tutees to make printouts of their assignments so tutors can discuss the written assignments with the tutees. Tutors should also have printouts from which to base their discussions.

6. Try to give tutees direction without completely telling them. It’s more of a guided discovery learning process online.

7. Try to encourage the students as much as possible because they often tend to feel quite lost, alone and discouraged. Let them know that the online procedure is new and will get easier.

8. Encourage your tutees to discuss their questions, ideas and problems with each other as well as with you.

9. If a tutor is added to a particular class, have the tutor contact the professor and ask about his/her expectations of the tutor.

10. Tutors should post an introduction and add a human dimension in the introduction.

11. The tutor should print out hard copies of the syllabus, all assignments, and have a copy of the textbook available to reference. This makes it easier to know that the students are doing the correct assignment.

12. If the tutors are available on campus as well, make it a point to let the students know that they have the option of working with a “live” person.

13. In returning essays or written work to the students, the tutor should include a note that gives some positive feedback. Also, tell them that a certain symbol will represent a change that needs to be made repeatedly throughout the assignment. Any other general directives can be included here.

14. When making suggestions, try to be as neutral as possible. It is important to remember that the tutees cannot see facial expressions or hear the tone of voice of the tutor.

15. Avoid words that might be taken in a negative way.

16. Let the student do some of the corrections on his/her own. Refer to certain sections or pages of the text.

17. If the students are not responsive during the first week, post a follow-up in the main conference site or bulletin board and invite the students to send the assignments to the tutor. The tutor should try to work on a 24-hour turnaround, if possible. If the tutor will not be available because of health or other circumstances, it is a good idea to post a notice in the bulletin board and contact the professor.

18. Tutors should make tutees aware of how to make contact and how often tutors will check for questions.

19. Tutors should be sure to tell tutees that they “look forward” to questions or the tutor could mention the disappointment of having an empty mailbox. Many tutees feel they’re a burden if they ask for help.

20. Tutors can make postings advising students if they’re on the wrong track with assignments. This reminds students that tutors do exist and that tutors read the discussions along with students.

21. Tutors can stimulate discussions by sending private e-mail messages to tutees, especially to those with diverse opinions and advise them to comment on the opinions of others who have indicated disagreement. This generates thought and provokes discussion among students.

As with face-to-face tutoring, certain courteous behaviors are expected from both tutors and students. If either needs more information on the rules of Netiquette, excerpts from the book Netiquette by Virginia Shea, published by Albion Books, can be found at http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html.

Finally, tutors should enjoy the learning and teaching experience they have the good fortune to participate in. Tutees should also enjoy the session and feel confident and comfortable in talking about and sharing their work with others. There are as many different strategies that create success for both tutor and student as there are students who want to succeed. Practicing the simple and most basic teaching skills of encouragement, kindness, consideration, and thoughtfulness will ensure the success of tutor and students in their academic, professional and personal endeavors.