The Role of Tutoring Golborne

Everyone has their own personal way of learning, which works best for them. Some make better progress when they enter into a process of tutoring.

Learning is a process whereby new knowledge, information or skills are acquired, leading to the development of both character and personality and the process is unique to each student. By adopting this principle it follows that there is no one ideal way of learning, but rather that different methods must be employed, to suit the individual student

Tutoring is one such method of learning. It can be loosely defined as the interactive support and assistance between students and people who do not qualify as teaching professionals, but are competent nonetheless. Tutoring involves a system whereby both sides play a crucial role in attaining their common goal of providing knowledge for the learner.

Tutors are not recognised teaching professionals. They cannot, therefore, be described as people who educate learners, but are there to provide assistance throughout the learning process. In tutoring, the learner is not given answers in clear black and white, but is guided towards finding the correct solution.

Records show that tutoring can be very beneficial for students. Statistics have clearly shown that student’s performances significantly improved after receiving tutoring. This high level of success has convinced many of the benefits of tutoring when compared with conventional learning methods. It has been proven that the two systems go well hand in hand, one complementing the other.

As with most things in life, however, nothing is absolutely guaranteed. Tutoring does not assure a learner of high grades or a complete understanding of a difficult subject. It cannot and should not be implemented haphazardly. It must be carried out in a systematic manner, following a carefully conceived structure. Tutors need to define how they can help and also be aware of their own limitations.

The effectiveness of tutoring largely depends on the competence of the tutor. They may not be professional instructors, but the assistance provided should be of the highest possible order. The tutor must be experienced and have a certain amount of expertise in the field or subject that they are providing help with. Experience comes with time, but expertise must be sought through training and study.

Once a tutor is prepared and ready to proceed, a connection with the student is required. Establishing a bond is essential if the tutoring is to have any real chance of success. Understanding the learning capabilities of the individual student will not be immediate, but if trust is present from the start, then progress should be easy.

During the tutoring process itself, the two sides must have effective communication. The student should be able to voice his or her problems and concerns, while the tutor must listen and quietly, but quickly, assess how the course should proceed.

Not everybody requires tutoring to learn effectively, but it is certainly a tool for progressive learning.