With the start of another school year here at Operation Bootstrap, I would like to see if I can arouse some interest in a tutor blog. I started this blog last year and nobody participated in it. I had hoped it would be a way for online tutors to share ideas, suggestions, problems, etc. amongst themselves. It would help me a lot, too, because I could address issues that affect all the tutors in one place instead of having to email each one individually. I am hoping you will give it a try.
I would like suggestions and ideas on how to improve the online learning and teaching experience for both the students and the tutors.
If you have any comments at all, please post them here.
Richard
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I think the more we tutor our students, the more we think of ways to explain rules of English that can be easier for them to understand than using labels and complicated wording.
ReplyDeleteOne rule I share with the students relates to subject-verb agreement. Once the student understands that plural words usually end with an "s" or "es," I explain to them that the verb is usually just the opposite.
When there is "more than one subject," the verb usually doesn't end with an "s" but when there is "only one subject," the verb often ends in an "s" or "es." Verbs such as has, was, makes, pushes, and is, go with "one subject" while verbs like have, were, make, push, and are, go with "more than one." Then there are the pronouns "you" and "I" that have to be explained as exceptions.
Thanks for your comments. I know it can be very difficult to explain points of grammar in writing for students who are, by definition, deficient in English language skills.
ReplyDeleteThere are other technologies available to online tutors and learners that could help alleviate this problem somewhat. Unfortunately, these technologies require certain technical capabilities that the students (and tutors) may not have!
One of these technologies is Skype, which allows free audio communication between two people, much like a telephone conversation. Tutor and student could talk about an assignment while they both view the particular writing assignment on Google Docs. Google Docs allows 2 or more people to edit a document simultaneously. In addition to the technical challenges of Skype, it requires that both the tutor and student be available at the same time.
Another technology that I like is Jing. This allows you to record your audio while you capture (record) your web page browsing. This has the advantage that it does not require the tutor and student to be online at the same time.
Both of these application are free and require the download of a small program to your computer.
The challenge for both of these methods, of course, is that the student populations that we serve, generally don't have the requisite language and technical skills. However, we occasionally get a student in the Intermediate or Advanced class who has them. Any tutor who would like to try these with their students are welcome to contact me for further instructions. - Richard
I see that there are some technologies available that would enhance the tutoring process. Though I feel very intimidated using them, I know I should give it a try. Several of my students send me their assignments very late at night. This would make the "real time" communication difficult but Jing sounds like a possibility. I may try to get past my "fear" of technology and look into it. Thanks for the reminder. - Sue-Ann
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