- Do you agree with the results of your communication test? Why?
I got a score of 68 in the communication test which classifies as a ‘good’ communicator with room for improvement. This is probably a pretty fair assessement as I know I have strengths in some areas of communication while I’m not so good in other areas. For ex ample, I know I’m pretty good at listening (score of 21) but I’m not always assertive enough and tend to avoid conflict.
- What can you do to establish rapport with your tutee?
I smile a lot with tutees, make eye contact and use their name. I also start sessions informally with a chat about how things are going and where ever possible, I use humour for my benefit as well for lightening the mood.
- Why is it important to know why your student is seeking tutoring?
It is important to know why your student is seeking tutoring so that you gain an understanding of what their needs are and how best to meet them.
- What is the Socratic method?
The socratic method is a way of questioning which enables a tutee to look more deeply in to what they are thinking about and what they are questioning so that they can reach their goal. It challenges their assumptions, reasoning, evidence, and perspectives by asking probing questions which can lead them towards more accurate and complete thinking and ultimately to finding out what they are needing to know.
- There are several different types of probing questions. Name all of them and indicate which type will be used most often in your tutoring session. Why?
- Conceptual clarification questions
- Probing assumptions
- Probing rationale, reasons and evidence
- Questioning viewpoints and perspectives
- Probing implications and consequences
- Questions about the question
I guess with tutoring anatomy and physiology, the probing question most likely to be used would relate to conceptual clarification, encouraging them to go deeper in to the question. I would often ask tutees what they do know about the question so that they can work back to what they don’t know. I would also often ask them to give me examples.
Give an example of how you might handle a wrong answer from your tutee?
I try to use encouraging language such as ‘yeah, you’re on the right track’ or ‘almost’ and give them the time and space to look at the question again without feeling pressured. Sometimes I might rephrase the question or offer clues if they are struggling.
