Teaching Methods

Español VERBAL COMMUNICATION Tutoring sessions should be a free exchange between tutor and student. Tutor should refrain from giving answers. Methods might include: Explanation Questions and answers Demonstrations Discussion Open-ended questions Tape recording VISUAL COMMUNICATION Tutors should enhance their lesson by using various visual aids. These might include: Pictures Whiteboard Models Video Overheads Maps Flash cards VARYING CONTENT Tutoring sessions often will deal with an assortment of topics, problems, questions and concepts. To help interest, various methods should be employed by the tutor. These may include: Subject change Major topic to sub-topic Specific to general (inductive) General to specific (deductive) Related learning VARYING WORK INTENSITY PATTERNS To help the student maintain concentration the tutor should: Take breaks Change pace of learning OTHER METHODS OF EXPLAINING CONTENT Redirection – try another way Clarification – make the subject easier for the student to understand Reflection – give the student a chance to think about the subject Refocusing – go over same material but with a different approach Prompting – asking leading questions USE OF REINFORCEMENT Reinforcement is an important process in developing positive behavioural patterns. A reinforcement should be given directly after the correct response. Some tips on reinforcement: Give verbal praise Vary praise Vary amount of praise Vary voice intonation Fade reinforcement – give reinforcement initially after correct responses, fade or give praise after student has given several correct answers. ADDITIONAL POINTS FOR TUTOR TO NOTE Tutors, at times, might need to be aware of other areas in the student’s life that may be affecting their study, for example: Literacy or numeracy problems Student stress-Keep in mind that there are degrees of stress such as death in the family is different from dad being angry.--Katherine Bolman 21:29, 15 December 2009 (UTC) Note-taking Study habits Test taking skills Other related problems. If needed, these can be discussed with the Learning Support tutors. Also see: Alternative Teaching methods--Phil Bartle 11:24, 14 December 2009 (UTC)