Contents of Put the Pencil Down: Essentials of Tutoring
- Introduction: Includes overview of tutoring and the tutor's role. Why tutor development is important. Tutoring ethics. Also includes activities to help potential tutors decide if tutoring is right for them. (Chapter 1 is online)
- Types of Tutoring: Introduces tutors to the four stages of tutoring (opening, goal setting, working, and closing) as well as describing different types of tutoring session (term-long assignments, one-time sessions and drop-in sessions) and how the tutoring stages look different in these environments.
- Cultural Differences: A foundational chapter which encourages tutors to reflect on their own culture and values and demonstrates how culture affects tutoring sessions.
- Structuring a Session: Introduces tutors to theories of experts and novices and adult learning theory. Discusses how these theories can help a tutor decide on the amount of structure to use in a session.
- Getting Students to Talk: A chapter devoted to verbalization and questioning. Different types of questions (including Bloom's taxonomy and Socratic questioning) as well as skills important to questioning such as wait time and listening to nonverbal signals.
- Giving Feedback: Discusses different feedback options including positive reinforcement and assertiveness.
- Developing Good Study Skills:Includes discussions on goal setting, time management, study spaces, textbooks, notes, memorization, and test preparation.
- Learning Styles: Based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®
- Direct Techniques: When to use direct techniques and how to use them effectively.
- Conclusion: Asks tutors to reflect on their development.