Megan
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Brigham Young University-Idaho - Bachelors, Math Education
Reading, crafts, and doing math.
High School Chemistry
Middle School Science
Physical Science
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
My main objective during the first session with a student is to get to know each other and set goals/expectations. I believe establishing a good relationship will aide us in achieving the goals that we set. I also believe that knowing what expectations both student and tutor have will help us to continue to have a good relationship as we move forward.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
One of the biggest ways a student can become an independent learner is to build confidence. I see many students who have so much doubt in their abilities that they give up before they start. One of my main objectives as a tutor is to help my students build confidence in themselves and their abilities.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would give a different way of looking at the skill or concept. People are so diverse, and the ways they learn and understand things are diverse as well. The way that I came to understand a concept may not be the same way someone else did.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I use a 1-2-1 approach. When we are working through new concepts and problems, I work through the problems and show them how it works. Then the two of us work together. I ask questions and guide them when they get stuck. When I feel that the student is beginning to grasp the concept, I have them practice on their own.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
To build a student's confidence, I first need to know their strengths and weaknesses. It's important to showcase those strengths and help them learn to use them while working through problems. As their confidence grows, it is easier to attack the weaknesses. In Math, I like to teach them simple strategies to check their answers, which also helps them to gain more confidence in themselves and their answers.