Tutor Toolbox

Coming out of Left field

• • Classroom/group management
  • The unhappy/discontented student
  • When to ask for help

  One of the most common themes we see is students complaining about classes which are not well managed and tutors wanting help to manage groups and classes.

  There is no magic solution to this problem. We always hope that students at tertiary institutions are adults and will act accordingly but this does not always happen.

  As we have suggested previously in this toolkit, when you take over a new class start as you mean to go on. Once you have let your group or class become unruly it is very hard to get them back on track and some students will take advantage of a new tutor.

  So, lay those ground rules down early.

  Sometimes it is better to allow the majority of the students to bring the less attentive students into line; and sometime you have to point out that everyone has a right to the tuition they have paid for and if some do not want to take part they should consider their options.

  BUT it is not always simply a matter of a student being disruptive for the sake of it. That behaviour can hide a number of other issues such as drug dependency, deafness, hyperactivity, ADD, inability to read or write, even unhappiness at home.

  So, observe your disruptive student/s for a few days looking for hints as to the underlying problem and then have a chat with them after class or when you see them around the campus.
  If there is a deeper issue and you can help a student will generally be only too happy to settle down.

  Some students have short attention spans. This can be catered for with frequent changes in activities or being set extra tasks.

  Do set ground rules around the use of cell-phones and swearing early. To many young people both are a constant – deal with them early on or both will disrupt your classes.

  The unhappy student stands out in a class quite soon. Often the unhappiness springs from issues outside polytechnic so do not think you are to blame. Again try to speak to the student quietly about what might be wrong, make it clear you do not want to pry into their private life but if there is any support the institution can offer they should let you know.

  If you are struggling ask for help as soon as you can.

  Many a new tutor has lost sleep over issues which could be resolved quickly with a word to the right person. You tell your students “there is no such thing as a dumb question”. Take you own advice and ask you line manager, colleagues in the tea room, the person you share an office with, chances are they have faced the same problem and can help.

  How do I know I am doing ok?

  In a word: ASK

  There are two prime candidates for feedback – a colleague and your student group.

  A colleague will be happy to join your teaching session and do what we call a “peer observation”. This is a confidential feedback to you on how you are doing as a tutor. A more experienced tutor will be happy to give you pointers on everything from tone of your voice to the quality of your notes and lesson plans – it’s all part of reflective thinking/action.

  The second group who have a vested interest in you doing really well are your students. There are several ways to get honest feedback from them.

  The institute carries out student satisfaction surveys of the programme you teach on, and you as a tutor. These are formal and you will receive summaries of the class/group feedback from your line manager.

  Less formal ways are between you and the students and are best left anonymous. Some different forms are attached as resources.

  Quick "Sticky" feedback

  Another easy way is “sticky feedback”.

  At the end of the week leave a pad of “post it” notes on the front desk. Ask your students to write one thing they would like stopped, or one thing they did not grasp that week, on one; and on another one thing they liked, or found really useful. They should stick these on the whiteboard, no names, as they leave the class.

  This is an easy way to “take the temperature” of your class and find out what going well and what is not.