Role Modeling to Underprepared Students

Tutor Training by Role Modeling and Problem Solving

Ask any instructor of any level, from kindergarten through graduate school, and they will tell you that the best teacher is hands-on experience. Tutors possess excellent experience in a specific content area that's probably why they have chosen to become tutors; yet they still may be lacking in instructional experience. To help novice tutors overcome any number of challenging scenarios, role modeling is employed to provide real time practice. Many times veteran tutors lead the session, providing the scenarios and discussion.

Role playing:

• Have a novice tutor assume the role of tutor and a veteran tutor the role of the tutee
• Each duo has 5 - 10 minutes to "role play" the scenario with the rest of the participants observing
• Follow each role-playing situation with discussion

Sample situations:

1. The tutee wants the tutor to just do the work.
2. The tutee wants to argue and disagree with the tutor.
3. The tutee criticizes and "bad mouths" her/his instructor or other tutors.
4. The tutee has low self-esteem.
5. The tutee has set unrealistic academic goals.
6. The tutee comes to a session unprepared.
7. The tutee just wants to talk and socialize.
8. The tutee becomes too dependent upon the tutor.
9. The tutee is not trying or working hard enough- has a major case of Excuseitis
10. The tutee is late or fails to show for appointed sessions.

Objectives:

• To give novice tutors an opportunity to "try out" situations before actual exposure to a similar situation
• To include veteran tutors in the learning process and to share their experiences, what worked and what did not work
• To discuss alternative solutions
• To discuss and become aware of cultural influences