It’s All in

How You Say It!“Your face is so ugly it could stop a clock?”

“When I look at you, times stands still.”

by Sandra Vaughn, HCC Tutor

 

In the world of online tutoring, it’s all in how we say it; therefore, being able to decipher what a

student really means, understanding his needs, and

encouraging him with our words becomes valuable tools in helping

him reach his goal.

Presentation Purpose

This presentation focuses on situations that may arise between students and tutors. Although presented in a light-hearted manner, the topic is serious, for a tutor’s reactions and words can result in a student’s success or failure. Actual submissions to the Houston Community College online tutoring service by students and tutors’ responses are presented. Spellings and grammar usage has remained the same. Names have been changed to protect the guilty. There are many slides, but they are short and many do not have notes for they are self explanatory.

Now, with all that being said, let’s begin.

A special bond needs to be formed between the tutor and the student. This is not as easy as it is when face

to face with a student. There are specific considerations that an online tutor must think about.

Online Tutoring Considerations

Communication Establishing Boundaries Student Over-dependence and

Unreasonable Expectations Students with Limited English Proficiency Building Rapport

 

 

Communication

The questions and responses tutors post online must be carefully formulated, and this takes a lot of practice. In an online environment, students do not always write back when they do not understand, which makes it difficult to measure the student’s progress.

When a student is online, he can only judge a tutor’s reaction to his paper by the

words used. Therefore, if the words are short and curt, the student will imagine

your reaction to be …….

this, or this, or even worse, this. Justgive up.

 

Now, we have email, and with it, there is a new unwritten standard of spelling and grammar rules that is here to stay. By accepting these new unwritten rules as permanent , we as tutors will save ourselves a lot of frustration and aggravation. The only thing left to do is to learn how to decipher not only the spelling of online requests but also their hidden meanings.

Here is some examples of submissions that we received from students. Note the use of the “new” unwritten rules.

“This is a paper" [ Reply ] Sent by student at July 20, 2006 8:01:15 AM

yo, hows my essay. i hope u can read it.

Translation: I am anxious to see what you think, but I am a little nervous.

“My Paper" [ Reply ] Sent by student at Sept 15, 2006 8:04:27 AM

nothing

Translation: I want help, but I don’t even know what I need.

Let’s take a look at how you, as the tutor, could respond to this student. 

 

“If I were you, I would conference with your instructor and start all over.”

The student hears, “How should I know? I cannot make sense of this.”

 

Student’s reaction

 

“I see that you have some really good ideas that you want to relay to the reader but are having difficulty with the formatting of your paper. I am sending you an attachment that will help you understand better how the format of an argumentative essay should be. Once you have completed your second draft, please re-submit your paper. I am looking forward to seeing improvements in your paper.”

Instead, help the student minimize learning gaps.

Student’s reaction

Establishing Boundaries

While it is important to remember that tutors cannot assume the role of course instructors, it is also necessary for tutors to define their own boundaries in the tutoring environment so that the students are aware of the boundaries.

 

“My Paper" [ Reply ] Sent by student at Oct 25, 2006 9:04:27 PM

just fix this caz i can’t

Translation: I am just not smart enough to do this.

“My Paper" [ Reply ] Sent by student at Nov 7, 2007 8:29:27 PM

I want u 2 fix my papr. Thanx in advance

Translation: I have tried and tried, but I don’t know what to do to make this correct. I feel that your doing it for me is the only option I have left.

Do not be fooled, for this is not the laziest student you have ever seen nor be caught up in feeling sorry for his desperation. Be aware that this is a student who is crying out for help and who needs guidance.

 

“As a tutor, I am not allowed to format, construct, edit, or grade your paper. You must do that yourself.”

The student hears, “You are on your own. There is nothing I can do.”

Student’s reaction

 

Instead, establish boundaries.

“Although tutors are not allowed to do students’ papers for them, I can certainly serve as your guide to successful writing. I see that you have made an excellent beginning with your first draft. You well understand how to signal a new paragraph and each paragraph has a certain purpose. Let’s take a look at the introduction first. I am attaching a handout that will help you format your introduction and create a strong thesis statement using the ideas that you already have.

I am anxious to see your second draft.”

Yea! I understand how to write a

paragraph! Now I am going to learn how to write an

introduction!

Student’s reaction

 

Re: group research paper [ Reply ] Sent by student at Dec 9, 2007 7:16:40 PM

We were told to write a scientific paper, and my part is the Materials and methods of the experiment in the past tense. Can you check if I followed the assignment? I ran out of connection terms and sentences to make my part flow ! can u help me?

Here is an example of a student why is trying very hard but is feeling frustrated.

 

“Dear Student, I have read and commented on the grammar and organization of your paper. To see my comments, select WEB LAYOUT from the VIEW menu in Word. Check back later to get comments from a biology tutor about the content. I'm afraid that I can't help you with that.” The English Tutor

Do not be afraid to let the student know your boundaries. At HCC, a science paper is tutored by a science tutor for content and an English tutor for format and grammar.

It’s the

biology

tutor’s turn.

Tutors should remember they are not to do the work for students. Instead, tutors should encourage students to attempt to work through problems after the tutor has tutored a paper and given guides that will help the student in locating similar errors. The following slides are examples of what a student will do when allowed to depend too much on a tutor.

Notice the dates and times of submission on the slides that follow.

Student Over-dependence and Unreasonable Expectations

First Submission

Unconditional Love [ Reply ] Sent by student at Dec 24, 2007 5:27:33 PM

Hi. I am supposed to write an essay on the short story I read. I have to discuss the patterns of development and a literary element. Can you please help me make my essay better? Thank You.

Download attachment: E:\ENG 2\RD#2.doc

Second Submission

Unconditional Love [ Reply ] Sent by student at Dec 25, 2007 12:03:13 AM

Hi can you please help me make my essay better Thank You

Download attachment: E:\ENG 2\RD#2.doc

Unconditional Love [ Reply ]

Sent by student at Dec 25, 2007 4:17:36 PM

Hi I have made some more changes to my paper can

you please help me make it better?

Thank You Download attachment: E:\ENG 2\RD#2.doc

Third Submission

Unconditional Love [ Reply ] Sent by student at Dec 25, 2007 12:59:02 PM

Hi there I have made the changes that were pointed out to me Can you please check for any other mistakes? Thank You

Download attachment: E:\ENG 2\RD#2.doc •

Fourth Submission

Unconditional Love [ Reply ] Sent by student at Dec 25, 2007 3:45:43 PM

Hi I have made the changes Thank You

Download attachment: E:\ENG 2\RD#2.doc

Fifth Submission

Unconditional Love [ Reply ] Sent by student at Dec 25, 2007 4:17:36 PM

Hi I have made some more changes to my paper can you please help me make it better? Thank You

Download attachment: E:\ENG 2\RD#2.doc

Sixth Submission

Because of the many students that we serve and the number of tutors there are, some students “sneak” through the lines as first time submitters. However, we have found that more than two tutoring sessions are not beneficial to the student’s progress.

sneak

math [ Reply ] Sent by student at Dec 17, 2007 2:54:03 PM

x = y2 + 6 and y = x2 + 6. Please I want to know whether this is a function or not.

Read on to see the tutor’s answer.

No matter what the question, the student can be guided toward success.

Re: math [ Reply ] Sent by tutor at Dec 17, 2007 3:01:23 PM

If an equation can be solved for y so that there is only one solution, then y is a function of x, otherwise y is not a function of x. In the first case, you need to isolate the y^2 term and then apply the square root property in order to solve for y:

x - 6 = y^2

+/- sqrt(x - 6) = y

When you apply the square root property, you get two answers: plus and minus. Therefore, this is not a function of x.

In the second case, the equation is already solved for y. Thus, you don't need to do anything to it. This is a function of x.

Try again now.

Read on to see how thoroughness can give a student confidence to work on his own.

Here is the tutor’s response.

math [ Reply ] Sent by student at Dec 17, 2007 3:30:05 PM

I can do it!

physics II [ Reply ] Sent by eddyeb at Dec 9, 2007 1:01:07 PM

I'm asked to find the drift speed of the conduction electrons. I'm given: one free electron per atom, J= 6.5*10^-8, n=m/M, M of Al=26.98, density=2.7. Solution manual shows that n=NA/(M/density) and that Vd=J/ne. How?

Here’s another example of a student’s frustration.

Re: physics II [ Reply ] Sent by tutor at Dec 9, 2007 7:17:08 PM

1) Let's look at the information given one free electron per atom current density J = I/A = nqVd = 6.5*10^-8 n = m/M m is the mass, M is molecular weight mass density = m/volume = 2.7

by the solution manual: n = NA/(M/density) below we try to prove the above:

compare n=m/M given and n = NA/(M/density) which asks to prove: n = NA * density/M we just need to prove: m = NA*density density = m/vol NA * density = NA * m/vol vol = length N * area of cross section A NA *m /vol = m so you have n = NA/(M/density)

Here’s another example of a tutor’s patience and encouragement.

2) prove Vd = J/ne Suppose a cross section of A carries current I, then J is the current density J = I/A current I = n *e* Vd *A n is the number of electrons per unit volume e is the charge of one electron = 1.6*10^-19 C Vd is the drift velocity A is the cross section here Vd = delta X / delta t Vd * A = delta X * A /t = delta Volume /t n * e = total charge of electrons current definition is in a time interval of delta t the total charge/over a cross section so I = n *e* Vd *A is correct

divide A from both sides:

I/A = J = neVd finally we have :Vd = J/ne

At what point does the paper pass from being the student’s work to being the tutor’s?

tutored

tutored

tutored

tutored

mine mine

tutored

Where did my ideas go?

tutored

When the student’s essay has changed to reflecting the tutor’s ideas instead of his own and/or the paper contains a vocabulary that reflects the tutor’s words, the student has ceased to be the author of the paper.

Students with Limited English Proficiency

A students backgrounds may affect how they communicate, including definitions of appropriate and inappropriate vocabulary and diction. Online tutors may find it difficult to decide if students do not understand the content or if they have a language barrier.

argumentative essay [ Reply ] Sent by student at Aug 2, 2007 4:120:36 AM

I’m not so good. please help me with my language of english grammar. Thank you a head of time.

Download attachment: E:\essay.rft

A student sends in his request.

Translation: I know I have problems. I am glad that there is someone to help me improve.

“This paper has such serious grammar errors that I just can’t help you. I suggest you tell your instructor that you have serious problems with English grammar or get help from a live tutor.”

The student hears, “There is no way that I can be helped.”

Just give up.

“Your first draft shows that you understand the required format of an essay. Your thesis statement focuses the reader and your topic sentences reflect the main ideas of each paragraph. I did notice that your main grammar error is with verb tense. I have indicated some of these errors. After correcting the ones that I indicated, use your new knowledge to locate and correct similar errors. I am looking forward to seeing your second draft.

Thank you for using the HCC online tutoring service.”

Instead, give him encouragement.

 

With so many grammar errors, it is hard to understand what you are trying to say.

The student hears, “This is disgusting. No one could understand this.”

Student’s reaction

 

“I made some grammar notes. Please go through the rest of your essay to see if there are any more occurrences. Having a friend that is a native English speaker proof read your essay will help catch some of the minor grammar issues that are present.”

Instead, let the student know there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that you are ready and willing to assist in his success.

Student’s reaction

Building Rapport

In an online environment, it may be difficult to establish rapport with students because there are no cultural markers or visual cues for online tutors.

Despite this challenge, there are many ways for tutors to show students that they care. By acknowledging what the students wrote, by praising something impressive, and by asking questions, tutors send the message that they value their students as human beings.

Here are some examples.

Example 2 (English): “There were some nice ideas to build off of in the essay. You will want to go back and take a look at your word choice, word form, and general sentence structure. This will help with the clarity of your paragraphs. With some revisions, your essay will be on track. I hope that you continue using this service during the semester.”

Example 3 (English) : “You have made a very good start with a strong thesis statement and strong topic sentences, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Your quotes from the text also provide strong support. Were you to follow MLA standards when citing these quotes. If so, please go to the site indicated in the MLA information bubble to find some examples of in-text citing. Please read the information in the bubbles carefully so you will have a strong to guide to locate and correct similar errors.”

Example 1 (Psychology): “Your case study is very interesting, and you have done a good job in describing your friend Mario. I have provided several suggestions for enhancements in an attachment to your report. I will now forward the report to an English tutor who will check for presentation. If you need further assistance, feel free to contact Askonline. Best wishes.”

Example 4 (Psychology): “Dear Student--The report is a good one, but still needs some work. I have provided some suggestions in the attachment. The paper will be forwarded to an English tutor for review of grammar and presentation. Please feel free to contact ASKonline if further assistance is needed.”

Example 5 (Math) : Your formulas are strong and show you well understand what the problem-solving technique requires. Always review your calculations before moving on to the next step.

Example 6 (Psychology): “Your assignment indicates that you are to choose one topic per section of exam material. While the submitted report is a good one, are you supposed to turn in others as well? I wanted to be sure you were aware of this. My suggestions about the submitted report are in the attachment. I will now turn the report over to an English tutor. Please feel free to contact Askonline if you need further assistance. Best wishes.”

If a tutor keeps all these thoughts in mind, the student will go from this..

Critical Essay [ Reply ] Sent by at Nov 14, 2007 11:03:11 AM

Is my grammar fine? Is my essay well-written? In this essay we were supposed to compared two characters. the essay should be thoughtful, focused and firmly rooted in a close

reading of the text. Is my work cited well-written?

Thanks

The Student

Download attachment: F:\College Crap\English 1302\essay2.doc

to this………

SOCI 1301 [ Reply ] Sent by onepleasedstudent at Nov 13, 2007 9:14:05 PM

wow...

Thank You so much...

i clearly understand my mistakes now !!!!!...

thanks///

                                                 

Tutor Student

Success is sweet for everybody!

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