Tutoring

JWH · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 7:10 am Post subject: Tutoring

Does anyone here have experience with tutoring at university? I'm not so much worried about the people, but that I may not always have the answers and marking. Also, how many groups should I be taking?

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Jane.

Chilling__Echo · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 12:28 pm Post subject:

as in you're going to be the tutor? sounds awesome, money for studying with someone else basically. it's alright if you don't have all the answers but remember that a tutor isn't there to just spit out answers, more help the person understand and guide them to find answers. about # of groups, depends on how long you're with them.

JWH · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 12:52 pm Post subject:

Yeah, it's tutoring for one of the larger courses in the faculty. Maybe about 15 students in a class. The tutorials run for 2 hours and there are 2-3 slots 4 days a week.

I mean, I know from past experience that the quality of tutors is not usually very high, but I still fear the responsibility of it all.

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Jane.

Chilling__Echo · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 3:51 pm Post subject:

ohhhh my goodness, did not realize that the "classes" were that big!!

i hear "tutor" and i think one on one, hour every couple of nights... couragous you!

but the hours sound pretty good. i'm not sure how hours are calculated in austrailia, but here they recommend that if you're a full time student and have a part time job (which is basically what you're doing) they say school should be 12 hours (or semester hours) and work no more than 20 hours a week

regarding responsibility, you must be pretty good at what you're teaching right? what kind of requirments do you have to fufil to be in that position (are there any?)

JWH · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 8:53 pm Post subject:

Well, my student days end today actually! So, this will be my first and only source of employment unless I decide to do some work experience additionally.

You don't, that's the thing - I was offered a tutoring job last year in a subject I was completely hopeless with. At least I'm more comfortable with this topic. Requirements-wise, I'm still waiting for the email but generally, we will have to participate in online discussions as well as help out in the computer labs for those 2 hour sessions. So that leaves me worried with the amount of classes I should be taking - take too many and I may end up with a lot of online work.

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Jane.

Yossarian · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 12:48 am Post subject:

Congratulations Jane??? Well it would seem people have faith in your talents so go for it. I only did a bit of facilitating once but it was cool. Admittedly it was with adults which helped....but if it doesn't work out you can always quit.

They should train you right? Besides what do you have to lose? ok SP aside.... it could be a good step forwards. Helping people is cool. It might even give you confidence which could spread to other areas of your life. It's sure better than doing nothing and wondering what if.

Hope what ever you choose to do works out well though.

JWH · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 5:57 am Post subject:

Nah, I wouldn't say so. I just asked if there were tutoring jobs available. What was it you did? Didn't you say before you hadn't had a job?

Well, I've already done this course as a student. I guess that's training enough. Indeed. I have just come from doing a 2 week course, and surprisingly I enjoyed being around the people. They did notice my tendency to isolate myself which someone mentioned later, but it all comes with practice - something tutoring will help with for sure.

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Jane.

Yossarian · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 11:05 pm Post subject:

Ah it was just volountary.... if you consider having my benefits cut unless I did it volountary. Plus it was only 2 weeks and just a basic course for beginners, introducing them to word and stuff. Nor was it teaching, just helping out when people got stuck. So not really tutoring but hey it was cool. Nice to know my lack of working is what stands out Sad

I'm not really sure what your tutoring would involve. Do you need to create lesson plans and stuff? What is the course as well, if you don't mind me asking?

Anyways typical SP, they wouldn't of offered you a job unless they thought you were capable. So if it's something that you think you might enjoy, you should definately give it a go. I'm sure you'll kick ass Smile

JWH · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 6:11 am Post subject:

Actually. I wouldn't mind teaching adults basic stuff like that when I'm out of work. Do you think you could ever get another job like that?

Well from what I can see, the tutoring would involve answering questions, doing a few in-class demonstrations, marking and online discussions. All the information is given out by the lecturer in either online notes or the lecture, so there's no work to do in that respect. The course will be teaching the basics of 3D architectural visualisations in 3D Max.

I really do enjoy finding solutions though. I hope I can get the anxiety out of the way early on in the course.

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Jane.

Yossarian · Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:31 am Post subject:

I have thought about doing it again in some form or another. At the end of my time there the guy in charge tried to get me some paid work because he and the students all thought I did a good job. Unfortunately the woman in charge just offered me volountary work doing research for some reason.

I did plan to try and find some part time work at the college while I studied further. It's a path many people there took and I got on well with the other tutors but SP and depression blah, blah. I think it's still a possibility in the future.

Yeah it is good finding solutions. Do you like problem solving in general? what about puzzles etc? I think that's why I'm enjoying programming. I'm new to it and finding it a bit overwhelming at times but I like the fact it is logical and creative at the same time.

I'm sure once you get into the course you will quickly get comfortable. As long as the students are ok. If you're unsure of things at first you'll soon learn what you need to know. Plus it's a social situation where most of the time you will know what to say and what you do say will be helpful and useful. I found that a great help and really enjoyed it in the end. I hope it works out well for you too. It might be a great next step to take.