
Brendan
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: South Dakota State University - Bachelors, Mathematics Education
Running, Family Genealogy, Helping Others Learn!
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
In a first session, I would like to simply get to know the student a little in order to establish a relationship of trust and comfortability. The student will perform better when he or she is not afraid to ask questions, whether they are right or wrong.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Establish with the student that many things in life are a process, one being education. I had occasionally struggled for motivation in the early years of college, but reminded myself to take it one day at a time.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
My favorite way to address this situation when I tutor is use what I know that the students know. The beauty of mathematics is that much of it connects with one another. Making connections with students and allowing for practice is what will lead them to be successful.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I believe that most students do not enjoy a subject they are struggling in, and that is perfectly fine. My experience with tutoring has shown that when we prove to the students that they can do it on their own, they will naturally become excited about getting the work done!
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Educators must make connections with students to ensure them that they already hold the knowledge in order to solve the problem. Most problems are simply worded differently in a way that encourages the student to give up.