Fake Tutoring Session (2/13/08)

In class today, we did an exercise where we put on (kind-of) a fake but real tutoring session. For my group, it was set up as follows:

Phil: Tutor
Sarah: Student (writer)
Kellye: Observer
Myself: Observer

First of all, I thought Phil did an excellent job tutoring Sarah. I think in the situation, it would be slightly awkward seeing as we all knew the session wasn't necessarily real; however, Phil was kind-of being put on the spot at the same time. Nevertheless, he did a great job of addressing what Sarah was wanting to look at and focus on, helping her develop thoughts more clearly, keeping the paper in Sarah's hands (meaning: making it stay her paper rather than becoming his), as well as many other things.
In regards to Sarah, I felt that she played the average student but she also brought her actual characteristics into the session as well. For instance, most of the time Sarah seemed sort-of "eh" about things but open to suggestions or help; which is normally something I have found coming from other students who come to the writing center. But I also liked that Sarah brought forth her real self into the equation as well. For instance, she brought up her analogy of the transactional model (?) :); which if anyone knows Sarah enough, they understand that she thinks mathematicaly in real life as well. What I'm getting at is that Sarah did a good job of pulling off the typical student attitude as well as bringing her natural self to the table. WHich, from a tutors stand point, by figuring out that a student thinks mathematically (like Sarah) it can be helpful when trying to teach them something or demonstrate english terms into math terms for them. I think Phil caught onto that characteristic of Sarah and utilized it in a couple of instances.

Below are some points I jotted down during the session that I thought Phil did a great job at:
- He let Sarah have time here and there to brainstorm and free write
- In the beginning of the session, he discussed Rhetoric with her and the components that make it what it is: Logos, Ethos, and Pathos. He explained in a very down to earth manner, including examples and references back to movies so that she might remember them better. I thought the examples were a great approach. Nicely done Phil!
- He pushed her thinking further by asking her questions and acting as a sound board (reiterating what she wrote and said in order to clarify and understand what she was trying to say or mean).
- Phil also did a great job of not letting her (Sarah) steal his words or ideas. For instance, he would mention something or ask her if this is what she meant and then when Sarah liked the idea or wording she would ask if she could use it or cite him. :) Very quickly, Phil would tell her it would be best to use her own words and after saying that, he would keep moving on with the original subject and not let her have time to write his ideas or whatnot down.
-Lastly, I think Phil was very good at keeping the paper in Sarah hands. Helping her and spoon feeding her are two very different things and as a tutor, Phil seemed to understand the difference very well.

Overall, there were things to be improved on here and there, but I do not think that Phil did a bad job at all. In fact, I was rather impressed with him and able to learn a lot from his actions and responses.