THE ROLE OF COMMUNICATION IN A TUTORING SESSION
Effective communication is the most essential aspect of a tutoring session. However, tutors must be aware of potential roadblocks in communication. Students may be unresponsive to questioning or may be intimidated by supposed power dynamics between tutor and student. For this reason, it is important that tutors create a foundation of trust with students and not position themselves as an authority figure, but rather a supportive peer looking to give constructive feedback.
The way in which a tutor communicates during a session often dictates how productive the session will be as well as how eager the student is to work productively.
According to Isabelle Thompson, author of Scaffolding in the Writing Center: A Microanalysis of an Experienced Tutor’s Verbal and Nonverbal Tutoring Strategies, communication with students in writing tutoring can be broken down into three methods: direct instruction, cognitive scaffolding and motivational scaffolding.
READ pages 11-12 of the Thompson’s article to understand these methods and consider the following questions:
- What method of tutoring do you think would work best for students in the SWW Composition Program?
- Which method applies to what you have learned so far about tutoring?
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Open in new tab Gibb’s Communication Model
Various communication models are used in learning environments, but in a tutoring scenario, students respond positively to Gibb’s Communication Model. This model explores the difference between supportive and destructive communication in providing feedback to students.
Supportive vs. Destructive Communication
Destructive communication occurs when a tutor provides student feedback in a blunt and arrogant manner. This type of communication is to be avoided as it can cause a student to shut down and become unresponsive.
ex. “Your topic sentence doesn’t make any sense. Rephrase to make it clearer.”
Tutors can alter their communication methods to construct supportive phrases and feedback.
Supportive Communication occurs when a tutor uses a calm tone in providing feedback and involves the student in problem-solving.
ex. “Your topic sentence is strong, but doesn’t quite align with the points you make in the body of this paragraph. What are some ways you can rephrase this sentence in a way that ties in your main points and relates back to the thesis statement?”
WATCH the following video and think about the questions below:
- What methods of communication have you responded to as a student?
- Why is communication so important for students refining their writing and rhetoric skills?
