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It’s here! Welcome to #whatisschool! Tag 3 people who can help us understand the tutor’s role in innovative education.
Check out the questions here:
https://t.co/sIn04UkHwn
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A1: So many only think of tutors when something is going wrong, and they’re great for that! But tutors are also great for helping students learn new skills or subjects and advance even higher academically. #whatisschool
A1: when I first got into teaching I also tutored on the side. Ranged from ESL work to math from about 3rd grade to 12th. Sometimes remedial but a lot of times as a way to get a “leg up” for their regular classes #whatisschool
A1: I think it is a case-by-case basis scenario - tutoring works for some and not for others - parents shouldn't force it down kids throats #whatisschool
A1 The role of the tutor is to provide whatever a student needs to move forward. Sometimes that is remediation, but other times it's enrichment or help with study skills. #whatisschool
A1: Great question. I don't often use the term Tutor unless it applies to remediation. My Aide has a degree in Applied Biology from UC Berkeley. He set up lessons for an advanced S last year. Never thought to call him a tutor. #whatisschool#gtchat
A1: when I first got into teaching I also tutored on the side. Ranged from ESL work to math from about 3rd grade to 12th. Sometimes remedial but a lot of times as a way to get a “leg up” for their regular classes #whatisschool
A1. Role of tutors can be both. I imagine it is mostly remedial but if a Student is open to extra tuition, why can't it be. As long as its not forced on Ss. #whatisschool
A1: If approached the right way with the right tutor - it could be incredible for remedial learning as well as a great supplement for all learners #whatisschool
A1: relationships are big for tutors. Especially if you are one on one you need to build trust. I usually spend about 1/5 of the time on non academic conversations so the kids felt like I was there for them and not the money #whatisschool
A1) tutors can be remedial of offer enhancement activities for students. Tutors can offer additional instruction, assistance and/or practice to any student. #Whatisschool
@HiClarkTutors Broadly, the main job of a mentor is to support. However, this will depend on who they are supporting, what their needs and circumstances are, level of experience and many other factors! Crucially however, this support MUST be ethical and supportive! #whatisschool
A1: should be both - all Ss need support and we often only give it to the Ss struggling - Ss who are doing well also need to be challenged. #whatisschool
A1: in Korea almost every kid has a tutor or “Hagwon” (learning center) on the side it’s considered irresponsible if you don’t (don’t agree with this but it is true) #whatisschool
A1 The role of the tutor is supercharged when the class teacher is actively engaged with them. Tutors can provide the 1:1 that is hard to give in class. #whatisschool#tutoring#ednav
Probably my belief is because of less exposure to tutoring. I am not aware yet how much tutoring has changed recently. Would love to know more about it today #whatisschool
What works for one student in one school will not work with someone else! A mentor, in my opinion, must be diverse and be willing to change their approach to support as opposed to saying 'this is how I do it so this will be how it is' kind of approach #whatisschool
A1 But I also think it depends on the educational history of the country, so the New Zealand expecttion of tutors and the Singapore version would be different. #whatisschool
If actually creates an unhealthy balance in the students life. They don’t get home to rest till around 9 or 10 pm because of these places. Grades are great but social and emotional health are not unfortunately #whatisschool
A2) I think tutoring might be tough because of less hours to see the whole child. Collaborating with the student’s teacher might benefit to help to progress towards right direction #whatisschool
A2: send notes and strategies that work with a particular kid back to parents or school. Any help connecting what is happening in both rooms is positive #whatisschool
Do you have a list or a picture of the questions - have carelessly lost them so I don't know what this is in response to (though I could probably make a guess!) #whatisschool
Yes I think in some countries it would be more expected. Its not the case here, we've got 200 students and currently three in extra tutoring #whatisschool
Personally as a parent , I am not exposed to tutoring. I see in international schools Ss spend more time on non academic activities after school. But I have heard a lot about tutoring amongst parents who are sending their children to local school in Singapore #whatisschool
A2 I wish outside tutors would take the time to study different approaches. There are still a lot of traditional approaches being done that aren't aligned. #whatisschool
Tutoring is not as popular in International Schools as in local Asia based schools - the mindset is a little different but it is still common place but mostly for students struggling #whatisschool
PBL, Singapore Maths, Reading and Writing workshop approaches. Outside tutors still rely on rote memorization and not on skills development and critical thinking #whatisschool
2. Finding confidence to tell a tutor what the tutor didn't particularly do well. Did they explain a task in a way where it wasn't u'stood? Need more help? We are hear to help you, challenge you appropriately to make education an enjoyable, fun, manageable time! #whatisschool
A3: first teachers need to know about the tutor (don’t be embarrassed) then teachers can give targeted standards to work on or even activities or extensions from class. Tutors can share successes and areas of growth theyve seen #whatisschool
A3: Talk to each other, share ideas, resources, communication is key! Make sure that you are working together and not apart - you are trying to achieve the same success #whatisschool
A3 first they need to be constantly communicating with one another. Second is collaboration, I may not be a maths teacher but I don't mind going to my student's maths teacher to ask for help and to learn from them #whatisschool
A3 Tutors and ts can work together by communicating effectively. If the tutor can come to school and observe that's awesome, but if not the Ts can share what's going on in school, what the student does well, what's coming next. The tutor can share what happens too #whatisschool
Constant collaboration, sharing of resources between one another, asking one another if they are okay and if there's anything they need and just generally (and gently) offering your support/knowledge/experience #whatisschool
I did tutor some American and African students in math when they couldn’t keep up with Asian standards in international schools. It’s tricky bc the cultures are so different and so are school expectations #whatisschool
A3: communication and planning are key in making sure this happens. Also utilizing a tutors strengths can help give S’s the best possible experience. #whatisschool
A1: Where I teach, lots of Ss have tutors after school. Most are classroom Ts that don’t teach the student. For the most part, it is remedial, although for some, it is just to keep them on track. #WhatisSchool
Differing standards and expectations does make it so difficult. Thats where communication becomes so important to keep the student on track #whatisschool
In reply to
@kresak2j, @mrkempnz, @NZWaikato, @rramapriya
#whatisschool Tutors should know a students skills- their learning mindset and their strengths & challenges. If they really know them they can help them gain the skills they need to tackle their struggles at school
1 mentor will find this job more demanding than another. Ensure that, whilst communicating about the chn (their progress, resources, next steps etc etc), it's actually really important to communicate about well-being. Are you okay today? How are you? Well done today #whatisschool
A2: I wish there was more communication between the tutor and the student’s Ts. I rarely get an email from a tutor asking me what the student really needs to work on. #whatisschool
#whatisschool Ts and Ts can collaborate on the content and a tutor can help find 1-1 strategies that can help students in a way teachers can’t in the classroom- the more they collaborate the more well-rounded the education
3. ASK FOR HELP IF THE TOUGH GETS GOING!!!!! That is key! Fundamentally, we all want the same thing and there will be times we need to support one another to get to this end goal! This must be gentle however! #whatisschool@HiClarkTutors@mrkempnz
#whatisschool Tutors should know a students skills- their learning mindset and their strengths & challenges. If they really know them they can help them gain the skills they need to tackle their struggles at school
It’s also tricky when parent expectations clash with school beliefs. Sometime as a parent I think what’s best for my child and not what’s my expectation. I prefer learning than competition. But it’s a competitive world. So it’s understandable if that’s preferred #whatisschool
Please join us we we take a walk down memory lane- tonight 5:00PST/7:00CST/8:00EST in #teachmindful - lets exercise our mindfulness with a little reflection- are you ready? 30 MINUTES!
A3 Sharing observations re student regularly Touching base re agreed program & outcomes. Not always using parents as the link between Tutor & Teacher. A professional partnership. #whatisschool#tutoring#ednav
A3: Tutors can visit schools to have an idea of what is happening in our daily classes. I think communication is the key to help students. #whatisschool
3. However, I think this stems beyond the classroom! Seek advice/ ensure you communicate closely with parents! Share successes, share next steps! This constant collaboration will ultimately create a postive sense of respect between your children AND their adult(s) #whatisschool
And sometimes parents may not have as much insight as teachers and tutors. A different relationship can lead to different realizations. Professional partnership is key! #whatisschool
A4 but if they're from outside the school, I think they need to know what approach to do. It's hard enough this student needs help it's even harder when all they know is how to harp back info their tutor taught them #whatisschool
A4: It depends on the context and subject - sometimes different learning styles my suit the child but the majority of the time consistency is key - communicate and work together to be on the same page #whatisschool
A4: Students benefit from the 1 on 1 attention tutoring provides, especially when its difficult for teachers with large class sizes to juggle the needs and learning styles of so many students #whatisschool
A3: Ideally, the Ts and tutors would be in continual communication. I would love to see tutors focusing on building skills, advocacy, and teaching self-management and study strategies.#WhatisSchool
Any time we can get a cooperative of investors in a child’s education is a great thing. The more we talk & plan together even briefly by email- the more we can see their learning from multiple angles and help them succeed #whatisschool
A4: Different teaching methods can only help reach S’s with multiple learning methods. Communication must happen to ensure that whatever method is used aligns with the end goal of the lesson. #whatisschool
A4) Yes, absolutely... more than 1 way to solve a problem, learners will let you know if one works better for them than another, Great to have options #whatisschool
@mrkempnz@HiClarkTutors! I think it's also saying "look, I am going to struggle with the same thing that you struggled to teach last week. Would you mind if I ask how you taught it and I can give this strategy a go with my children" #whatisschool
In reply to
@HiClarkTutors, @mrkempnz, @mrkempnz, @HiClarkTutors
A4 It can be extremely beneficial for a tutor to use a different teaching method if that teaching method helps the student understand better. If changing the teaching method confuses the student then it's not a great idea. #whatisschool
Besides the approach, sometimes they don’t the Edtech the school uses. My school uses Schoology, and outside tutors don’t always know how to work with Schoology. #whatisschool
A4 but if they're from outside the school, I think they need to know what approach to do. It's hard enough this student needs help it's even harder when all they know is how to harp back info their tutor taught them #whatisschool
Yes, sometimes students just don't respond to certain teaching methods and that's okay. What if a student responds more to their tutor's method, but has to use their teacher's in class? #whatisschool
#whatisschool It is inevitable that they will. It is necessary sometimes to flush out the hiccups and determine how best to help them. A teacher, helps with the big picture, putting the pieces together while a tutor helps shape the pieces so they fit more easily
#whatisschool It is inevitable that they will. It is necessary sometimes to flush out the hiccups and determine how best to help them. A teacher, helps with the big picture, putting the pieces together while a tutor helps shape the pieces so they fit more easily
A4: I like to chat to the student first and foremost - ask them how they learn best, what works and what doesn't and work together to ensure their voice is heard #whatisschool
A4: Well that depends on the T right? Some Ts don’t like their Ss being exposed to different methods. That can confuse a student. Not his or her fault. #whatisschool
I watch Ss struggle with a particular strategy, they just don't get it but ts insists they use that one strategy. Then the student learns a diff. strategy and they are able to come up with a solution. What's the goal? Learn the strategy or learn to solve the prob #whatisschool
As I said earlier, not one mentor is identical to another, so it is, in my opinion, almost a certainty that styles are going to be difficult. You can try to teach the same way as a fellow colleague but if it doesn't work personally for you, find a different way. #whatisschool
A4: I like to chat to the student first and foremost - ask them how they learn best, what works and what doesn't and work together to ensure their voice is heard #whatisschool
Students whose tutors are from the school have higher achievement than those who get from the outside. Concurrency of learning is present and teacher-tutor relationship is strengthened #whatisschool
This really bothers me bc I don't understand why there has to be one method to solve a prob. Sometimes Ss can solve a prob using a diff method. That should be the goal, shouldn't it? #whatisschool
However, following on from previous tweet, this must be considered/performed very carefully. Ie - some children (SEND etc) may respond very very negatively if things are too different so it's always being vigilant/mindful of this and the learning taking place #whatisschool
Since I’ve seen mixed results from tutors because of not knowing what the Ts expect, I began a peer tutoring club. I train the Ss on how to tutor. It works really well. My peer tutors are not afraid to ask the student’s Ts for help or for clarification. #whatisschool
I personally don't believe that Ts should force a specific method. I think the goal should be for Ss to understand how to solve a prob. If Ss learn a method that works that should be the goal? #whatisschool
4. Involve the children - explain to them how you are going to be teaching them. Do they think this way of teaching is going to help or hinder their learning? Get their reasons for their decision and respect this! Seek advice so again, communication key #whatisschool
I think you can get more personal and more specific to their skill set as a tutor- it is very focused and purposeful- teaching is purposeful and relevant but much more of a landscape rather than a portrait #whatisschool
A5 since my class uses google classroom I just grant the tutor access. Again, this is only for in-school tutors, for outside tutors it's a mixed bag. #whatisschool
Agreed! The goal is for the student to understand and embrace concepts. They may have to use methods that their teacher prefers when it comes to tests, etc. but as long as the student truly understands, then there's progress to be made. #whatisschool
#whatisschool They should have any resources- textbook, handouts but more importantly how your classroom operates and the expectations- they need to know how best to tutor the student.
It should be that way. I have had many a teacher tell one of my peer tutors to teach a student a more complicated way because that is how he or she wanted. My peer tutors always respond this way...#whatisschool
A5: Notes and progress reports at a frequency and level of detail that works for both teachers and tutors are simple, great tools to keep everyone up to date! #whatisschool
A goal of any educator is to guide our students to a place where they can reason and form their own opinions. To help them feel confident to think for themselves #whatisschool A tutor, teacher or parent- we all need to collaborate to reach this goal
@mrkempnz@HiClarkTutors Amazing chat tonight guys by the way - some very interesting points of discussion and I am definitely gaining a lot from being involved! Roll on the next chat!! #whatisschool
A goal of any educator is to guide our students to a place where they can reason and form their own opinions. To help them feel confident to think for themselves #whatisschool A tutor, teacher or parent- we all need to collaborate to reach this goal
Funny, I had a teacher tell me that too for a student I was tutoring in her class.... But, I’m a #BadassEdu & rarely listen or follow the status quo 😉😂😂😂 #Woot 🙌🏼🙌🏼 #whatisschool
A5: On the rare occasion a tutor contacts me, I share with them everything. I post my lessons on Schoology and my videos on Edpuzzle. I want the student to be successful. I even gave a tutor my number. #whatisschool
My job sometimes involves restoring faith in and among students, colleagues, systems, and communication. We need each other to weave these threads to unite us. #WhatisSchool
A5: this is tough bc you don’t want to come off as a know it all or that just bc you are the teacher and they are the tutor you know best. Important to build trust between both before offering new ideas and pedagogy #whatisschool
A6: A great tutor takes the initiative to contact the teachers, research what works for that student, and reaches out for new strategies. This best tutor I have seen have been my peer tutors. There is no ego and they want to help their classmate.#whatisschool
A6 a great tutor isn't just about academics, a great tutor teaches his tutee how to behave in class, how to manage his time, how to be organized, punctual, respectful and be kind. I am glad I met one tutor this SY who did that for my Ss #whatisschool
#whatisschool Not talking at them but w/ them. Listening to them intently & taking the time to really understand how they think & learn. A tutor should not be a friend, but a mentor-someone the student trusts & respects. This will build a relationship that leads to learning.
A6) Doing what’s right for the leaner, placing learner’s needs above anything else, it’s about how they learn, it’s about them ...not about teacher control #whatisschool
A6: one that builds trust and positive relationships with both the student and the content - a tutor can make a student love a subject they used to hate and that can be very rewarding #whatisschool
A great tutor will never try to undermine a teacher but rather enhance their teaching and help the student build they base so they can add the layers as they attend class. A great tutor is patient and communication is key. #whatisschool
. Thank you so much for having us @mrkempnz! Everyone involved in the #whatisschool is so insightful and experienced - what an amazing experience to be a part of!
I have loved getting an international perspective of this aspect of education which I think is very helpful indeed as our job is so important, reward and special wherever in the world we are! #whatisschool
Thanks #whatisschool, @HiClarkTutors, and @mrkempnz for a great chat. It’s a topic that I don’t see discussed that often. It was also nice connecting to other Ts. Who doesn’t appreciate growing their PLNs and learning more from others?
A6 A great teacher who collaborates & communicates with the school, knows the child well and keeps the parent - school relationship positive. #whatisschool#tutoring#ednav
Oh no! @mrkempnz has the archive up on his timeline. Feel free to post your own answers tonight or tomorrow - we'd love to hear from you still! #whatisschool
