(Download) "Can I Say That? (Tutor's Column) (Column)" by Writing Lab Newsletter & Kim R. Nolt * Book PDF Kindle ePub Free
eBook details
- Title: Can I Say That? (Tutor's Column) (Column)
- Author : Writing Lab Newsletter & Kim R. Nolt
- Release Date : January 01, 2011
- Genre: Education,Books,Professional & Technical,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 52 KB
Description
"Can I say that?" It seemed like those were the first words out of Angie's mouth in our first tutoring session. I was stunned momentarily as I gathered my own thoughts in response. "Of course," I heard myself say. Was Angie clueless about writing or lacking in self confidence, or was she expecting me to do her work? Tutors often face students with one of those mindsets, but the tutor needs to remember the goal of tutoring is to empower and enable students to be successful. Shifting the reliance on a tutor to a student's own self takes skillful questioning techniques and a conscious effort on the tutor's part. Although many writing centers promote usage by having tutors available to help students, mine included, we face the dangerous trap of overindulging students and making them too dependent and reliant on our services. Writing center directors define "dependence and reliance" more as "we are here for you, so come visit us for help." They do not mean, "Come to us, and we will give you all the answers," but students often expect to be given the answers. Mission statements of writing centers state that we are "student centered" and "support student learning." We say we want students to develop strategies and skills for becoming better writers, and Kristin Walker, in a Writing Lab Newsletter article, suggests posting reminders throughout a writing center that clearly state the philosophy: "Writing center tutors are here to help you learn, not to do your work for you" (14). Yet tutors find job satisfaction in being needed, so they sometimes strengthen the reliance on tutoring services instead of helping students develop skills. There is a delicate balance between dependency on tutors and the independence of writers, and it requires a tutor's conscious effort to achieve that balance.
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