Tutoring
In British, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand universities, a tutor is often but not always a postgraduate student or a lecturer assigned to conduct a seminar for undergraduate students, often known as a tutorial.
The equivalent of a tutor in the United States is known as a teaching assistant.
At St. John's College the professors are referred to as tutors. They serve the function of guiding the conversation and attempting to keep it focused, whether in tutorials or in seminar.
Secondary school form tutors
In English and Irish secondary schools, form tutors are similar to American home room teachers. They are given the responsibilities of a form or class of students in a particular year group (up to 30 students). They usually work in Year Teams headed by a Year Leader, Year Head, or Guidance Teacher.[citation needed]
Form tutors take on these responsibilities in addition to teaching, planning, and monitoring their academic (subject) classes.
Form tutors will provide parents with most of the information about their child’s progress and any problems they might be experiencing. Ordinarily, the form tutor is the person who contacts a parent if there is a problem at school; however, the Year Leader or Guidance Teacher may contact the parents, since the form tutor has full-time responsibility as a specialist subject teacher.
Private tutors
A private tutor is a private instructor who teaches a specific educational subject or skill to an individual student. Such one-on-one attention allows the tutor to improve the student's knowledge or skills far more rapidly than in a classroom setting. Tutors are often privately hired and paid by the student, the student's family or an agency. Many are used for remedial students or others needing special attention; many provide more advanced material for exceptionally capable and highly motivated students. Tutelage is the process of being under the guidance of a tutor. Tutoring also occurs when one adult helps another adult student to study a specific course or subject that he/she is taking to get a better result. The adult can also let the student work on his own, and can be there if the student has any questions.
There are claims that private tutoring companies should be regulated because of the occurrence of fraud.
Academic Coaching
Academic Coaching is an evolution of Mentoring applied to academics. Mentoring implies the student is an empty vessel into which knowledge is poured. Coaching involves a more collaborative approach, assuming the student is already in the "game" of learning. Coaches help students learn how they best learn and how to operate in an academic environment. Tutors help students learn the material in individual courses while coaches help students learn how to be successful in school. In college, that includes such topics as: study skills, time management, stress management, effective reading, note-taking, test-taking, and understanding how to use a syllabus. Academic Coaches meet with the student regularly throughout the semester, usually once a week. Coaches work with students in all kinds of situations, not just those who are struggling academically. Some highly motivated, high-achieving students will have a coach to improve their learning efficiency.
In Home Tutoring
In Home Tutoring is a form of tutoring that occurs in the home. Tutoring is receiving guidance or instruction by a tutor. Most often the tutoring relates to an academic subject or test preparation. This is in contrast to tutoring centers or tutoring provided through after school programs. The service most often involves one on one attention provided to the pupil.
| Topic | In Home Tutoring | Center Based Tutoring |
|---|---|---|
| Place of Instruction | In home tutors work in the family’s own home overcoming any potential transportation issues the family may have. If necessary, the agency will find an alternate location such as school, a library, community center or relative’s home. | Located only at the particular learning center of the company. Creates transportation issues for families that may have limited transportation. Inconvenient. |
| Time of Tutoring | Tutors schedule tutoring sessions with each family finding times that are conducive to the family’s schedule | Times are dictated by the tutoring company with little to no flexibility for the family. |
| Tutoring Content | Uses the student’s homework as the core curriculum for helping students succeed in their classrooms. Some supplemental aids may also be used, especially if a child is significantly behind in particular subject areas. The agency is also able to help children with standardized test taking. A tailored academic plan is designed for each student. | Set curriculum that is in addition to the student’s homework at school. Little to no individualization of instruction is offered. Creates a further burden on a child that is already behind by adding to the work the child must comprehend and complete. |
| Type of Instruction | One-on-one instruction is the very best way to help children who are behind discover the learning styles and methods that can catch them up. | Groups of students in a learning center with a set curriculum and little time for individualized instruction or help. |
| Contact with Student's School | Tutors are encouraged to contact the student’s teachers, to work hand-in-hand with them and create a program oriented toward the student’s needs. In home tutoring agencies have successfully worked with school districts tutoring children under special arrangements and helping them pass classes or grades they otherwise would have failed. | No contact with a student’s current teachers. |
Peer Tutoring
In the U.S., students tutoring other students at the same or within close proximity of age or grade level. When peer tutors are trained in the proper methods, strategies and protocols of tutoring, the evidence is clear that peer tutoring is both academically and cost effective, rendering numerous benefits for both the tutor and the tutee.
See also
External links
- tutoringFAQ Frequently asked questions about tutors and tutoring
- National Tutoring Association A U.S. professional trade association dedicated exclusively to tutoring.