The Tutoring Cycle Pikes Peak Community College Learning Assistance Centers

Tutoring Goal Promote successful student skills and encourage independent learning

Greeting Identify Task Set Agenda Guided Work Address the Task Summary & Confirmation Plan for Next Session Closing: Goodbye

Greeting & Climate Setting  Greet student by name (if known)  Arrange physical seating  Set a positive, task- directed atmosphere  Encourage student to begin the tutoring session

Identification of Task  Provide opportunity for student to state task for session  Use empathetic statements to help student define the problem

Set an Agenda  Involve the student in setting an informal agenda Example: Tutor can ask the student “How shall we use the time you have available today?”  Be flexible!!! Readjust the agenda when necessary to meet the needs of the student

Guided Work  Ask student to explain his/her general approach for learning this type of problem  Help student understand the use of resources in solving the problem  Notes, Handouts, Texts, etc.  Tutor is not the source of info  Break task into smaller parts as needed

Address the Task  Encourage student to address task without overly directing Example: Tutor asks student “How shall we begin?  Use appropriate tutoring techniques that considers  Student learning modality  Level of structure needed

Student Content Summary & Tutor Confirmation  Encourage student to summarize/explain what has been learned & how  If understanding is incomplete, return to previous step  Determine if student’s understanding would allow for completion of similar tasks independent of tutoring  Use confirming statements tied to specific accomplishments  Use sincere, sparing praise & encouragement – do not overwhelm student with positive reinforcement

Plan for Next Session  Help student anticipate what will be learned next that will connect to the task for which tutoring was sought  Help student understand how info from class, tutoring, & resources connect  Ask questions  “Where do you go from here in class?”  “What will you do next & how will what we’ve done help you?”

Closing: Goodbye  End session on a positive note  Thank student for contributions made  Being prepared for session  Asking questions