Activity B (optional activity)

What makes a good tutor

Why choose this activity?

We all have different ways of learning. Some people prefer to explore concepts through a medium other than discussion. In this activity, you give tutors the chance to use an art form rather than discussion to learn what makes a good tutor.

Reflection, creative expression, discussion, use of handout

Materials and equipment

Variety of markers
Magazines
Large coloured paper
Glue
Scissors
Craft items, such as pipe cleaners, stickers, feathers, glitter glue
Pens, pencils and paper to write on
Handout 2.4: Qualities Developed by Good Tutors (2 pages)

Preparation

Make copies of the handout.
Gather craft items and other supplies.

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS

  1. Have tutors reflect on what makes a good tutor. Refer to Qualities Developed by Good Tutors for ideas.
  2. Using a variety of methods, depending on their individual preferences, tutors create drawings, artwork or pieces of writing that express their ideas of what makes a good tutor. (You should do this activity as well.)
  3. Those who wish to do so can share their creations. Be sure to share yours.
  4. Encourage tutors to include some form of artistic expression in their own tutoring sessions.


A shared joke may reduce the tension in an otherwise stressful situation.

Patricia Frey in LITSTART

Facilitation tip

Some people may be shy about using creative forms of expression. You could start by asking people to take five minutes to use the materials to express something more general, such as an ideal place to relax or an ideal way to relax, and share that image with a partner.

If you move right into the focus on qualities of good tutors, you can ask people to initially share their creation with one other person. From the creations, people can name the qualities and list them on a flip chart with a simple drawing of a tutor in the middle. A variation would be to put a simple drawing of a tutor on a flat surface and ask each pair to use the materials to depict qualities of a good tutor that they can add to the drawing.