| I read a research paper some days back that said We learn 10% of what we read, 20% of what we hear, 30% of what we see, 50% of what we see and hear, 70% of what we discuss with others, 80% of what we experience, and 95% of what we TEACH others.
Accept it or not, children often do not like their teachers. This might seem to be a provocative statement, but then truth is at times bitter. Hardly have I come across children who seem to say good things about their teachers. What is the reason behind this? In my opinion, it is lack of rapport between the teacher and student.
First impression is often the last impression. What this essentially means is that a teacher should, from the very first encounter with the child, try to develop a friendly relationship. Though this might seem to be just another of those numerous techniques, it really works. Online Tutors have one great advantage- Virtual Presence. This can eliminate the problem of hesitationon the childs part to attend a session.
Another thing that I always emphasize on is that two children can never be the same. In other words, every child is unique in the way he understands concepts. Online math Tutors should be ready to experiment with new techniques of tutoring. It goes without saying that tutors should be experts in their subjects.
However, being a subject expert might not qualify a person as a good Online Tutor. Pedagogy, which includes the principles and methods of instruction, should be a critical component of online tutoring. A tutor might possess a PhD in Biology, but he might not know the way the brain of a ninth grader works.
Instructional techniques used in online learning should be directed at helping (and not forcing) children grasp concepts in an interesting way. Children can sometimes be very impatient; they might not be able to concentrate on one thing for long. This can be addressed by developing an instructional pattern that involves a lot of pictures, quizzes, games, and humor.
I have observed that when a teacher scolds a child, the latters brain refuses to accept new ideas from the teacher for a while. Hence, Online Tutors must ensure that they never try to discipline children. Try becoming friends with children, and you will be astonished with the results. Whether itsonline math tutoring or homework help, this formula works for all.
Criticism might not be beneficial for a child. But constructive criticism might help. Children love when someone pats their back and encourages them. While Online Tutors cannot do the former, they surely can motivate the child and appreciate his/her work.
Online Tutors should have a sound understanding of the tools and technology being used for tutoring on the Web. Often, young children find it difficult to understand the way a whiteboard works. Tutors should therefore take some time to help the child understand the basics of Online Learning tools. Again, tutors should not be rigid. If a child is having some problems using the whiteboard and he/she asks to explain something using voice chat, the tutor should not force the child to continue using the whiteboard.
Remember, Online tutoring should be fun for the child, not a technological nightmare!
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