Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Reflection on Reflection
I'm glad we had to put in Observation time. It not only gave me a chance to learn how the Writer's Room worked, but it also helped me get to know the tutors, learn how they did things, and then compare it to what we're learning in class. (We win, hands down) Now I appreciate that we've had to read a bunch of essays and blog and blog and blog, because its made me more confident as a tutor. I feel like our entire class is pretty much armed with the same weapons, while other tutors aren't. I'm not criticising their tutoring ablilies or methods, but I did note how differently they approached clients, which was the main theme of my Analysis. I think the best thing about Observation was that it helped break my preconceived expectations of what a tutor is and how they are supposed to act. The Analysis helped me realize this, because as I was writing it, I kept coming back to the idea that "Joe should've done this.." or "Helga didn't do that..." when really, it didn't matter what they did or did not do as tutors because whatever they did do accomplished what they meant to. Does that make sense? The main thing is that they were both good tutors, in my opinion, and that neither of them followed a strict Tutor Code, but they both ended up with happy clients. And I guess that's all we can hope to acheive.
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Haha, "We win, hands down."
ReplyDeleteI noticed how different the approaches were soon. I didn't really notice it until I actually had to sit down and write down what I was observing. And I feel the same way. Maybe my tutor didn't do what I would have wanted her to, but the student seemed at least relatively pleased. I guess that doesn't mean we can't improve on that, right?
My dear little anti-tutor, you have seen the method behind the madness, and your teacher smiles. She smiles, and she encourages you to go on being the anti-tutor, because part of the reason - the biggest part, really - you are finding our readings, our blogs, and your observations so helpful is because you had the forthrightness to question what in the world we were doing in this class, making tutoring so complicated. If you hadn't taken that anti-tutor stance, if you'd just come along with me for the ride, I don't think you would have learned so deeply.
ReplyDeleteI must also second Crystal's "haha." The anti-tutor is alive and well. This makes me happy.
The observation - almost critique - really was beneficial for us. In fact, just Monday I was "observing," as opposed to eavesdropping, and I really am starting the apply what I've learned to what I should see and do. If I am being this critical with another consultant, I can only imagine how more critical I'll be with myself. Maybe we should begin the video recordings now. Why wait until later in the semester? We need to get better now, no?
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you on the fact that 1.) we win :), and 2.) I noticed as well how the different tutors in the writing room all use different methods of approaching students who need help and address issues that concern them within the student's paper. Some tutors I noticed aren't as friendly as others, and some tutors are a lot more helpful to their clients by giving them ideas and working collaboratively on the student's paper to achieve their goal. There's one tutor that i find exceptionally helpful to the clients, and I would really like my tutoring sessions to go just as hers do. I think the blogs and readings are also important because it gives you insight into what to expect when you're in the writing room, but you cannot actually know what to do until you actually experience working with clients firsthand. Any advice is helpful and I think the readings really relate to what takes place in the writing center and possibly how to deal with certain groups of people and issues that the consultant may face.
ReplyDeleteTheir approach to clients has also struck me as weird. It's the biggest difference i have noticed thus far. And this is assuming that they actually approach a client. The other day i had to leave the session i was doing to go try and make someone help the new person that entered the room. needless to say i was frustrated.
ReplyDeleteBut that's really not the point.
Anyway, i tend to walk away from a session and feel pretty good about it and now i am nervous to record a session and observe it because i have a feeling i will be like "ohhhh my"
haha