Section 2

Learning Situations

This section can help to alleviate tutors’ fears and concerns about difficult situations that may occur as part of their tutoring. They will have a chance to think of their own solutions or ideas as well as benefit from your experience. It also gives you a chance to explain that you are there to help. You can further address any other concerns they may have about tutoring.

In this section, tutors will have an opportunity to address different ways of handling challenges that may impact or influence learning. You might want to come back to this section at the end of the unit or the end of your workshop series to see what new ideas tutors come up with. The chances are good that they will know a lot more than they do at this point. It might be good for them to see what they’ve learned. It would also be good modelling about how review can be helpful.

You may want to use this section later, as a get-together with tutors when they actually have some training, to come up with ideas or answers.

Activity A

Problem-solving skills

Tutors will have a chance to think about how they can turn learner concerns into learning situations.

Reflection, use of handout, discussion

Materials and equipment

Handout 4.3: How to Handle Concerns
Flip chart and markers

Preparation

Copy handout.

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS

  1. Ask tutors to think about the challenges they face in their daily life. Which of their challenges might affect their learning experiences? Are there other challenges or concerns a learner might face? List the challenges and concerns on the flip chart.
  2. Discuss with tutors what would be appropriate boundaries around solving concerns of a learner.
  3. Point out to tutors that it is possible to turn some concerns into learning opportunities for learners.
  4. Review the handout How to Handle Concerns.
  5. Have tutors brainstorm ways to turn concerns into learning situations based on the handout.