Robert
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Stevens Institute of Technology - Bachelors, Engineering
SAT Composite (1600 scale): 1480
SAT Math: 760
Loves to ride bike and play basketball for fun.
College Physics
High School Physics
Other
Summer
What is your teaching philosophy?
My teaching philosophy centers around deconstructing a topic to it's basic principles so that it can be more easily understood.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
My first session with a student would be diagnostic. Figuring out where the student is lacking most, so that those weaknesses can be turned into strengths.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would relate a difficult topic to one that comes more easily to the student. Then, slowly I'd work up to the difficult topic using examples and lots of practice.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
These students would benefit most from practice and repetition. Reading anything from novels to news articles, and providing me with summaries, would enable students to pick up skills that could help them improve. There are also many different habits that could help students keep track of main ideas as well as other factors relating to reading.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
The most successful strategy is to recognize weaknesses from the beginning. This way, areas in which a student is lacking can be improved without spending time on areas in which the student excels.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would relate the subject to an interest that the student has.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Asking a student to explain a concept in their own words is a good measure of understanding. "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." -Albert Einstein
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Success in that subject. Once this cycle of success and confidence begins, it is difficult to stop.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
A long, comprehensive diagnostic test is a good measure of strengths and weaknesses.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I adapt based on learning style and attention span. Some students are visual learners; while others and auditory, and others are kinesthetic. Some students may be able to works for hours without break, while others work most efficiently with 5 minute breaks every half hour.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I use practice tests, worksheets, videos, reading passages, textbooks, and workbooks.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I can help a student become independent by providing them with resources, usually online and free, that can enable them to study without my supervision.