Friday, September 14, 2012

Hi Everyone,

I've set up both an email distribution list and a blog for tutors working in the Quest Writing Lab this semester. I thought it would be a good idea to have a private and a public way of communicating. Here's the link to our blog: http://questtutors.blogspot.com/ . Mostly, I want easy ways to exchange information about upcoming events, assignments, and any housekeeping business that needs attention.

I have one housekeeping matter for today: Please have every student sign in and provide all the requested information. If a student comes in just to use the computer and doesn't need tutorial assistance, that's fine of course, but I'd still like them to sign in and complete the course information on the log sheet. I'll review the procedure with all new tutors next week. It's important to keep this information for both instructors and ourselves. Some instructors require their QUEST students to use the lab, and I want to be able to provide them with confirmation of attendance. Other instructors may need information on how students are progressing. We will also need this information if a student comes in several different days and works with more than one tutor on a single assignment; we want to offer students as fluid and unified approach in tutoring as is possible, and we can do that best by keeping track of information and communicating with each other. So, please be as diligent as you can about filling in all the blanks on the log sheets.

Thank you, and have a great weekend!

Marybeth

Thursday, September 6, 2012

How Do We Start?

This short essay by Andrea Lunsford on good tutoring practices offers some advice. Do you agree that these are the most important qualities of good tutors? Are there other important qualities Lunsford fails to mention? What are your best practices? Write a short blog entry explaining your reaction to the article and thoughts on tutoring practices.

Purpose of Our Blog

Welcome!
This blog will be both our communication tool and a tutor training blog. I'll post occassional articles or essays for you to read and respond to during quiet moments in the lab. You'll also find general updates, information and tips about the students' current writing assignments.  Feel free to raise general tutoring questions or concerns here, but be sure to respect student and faculty confidentiality. Focus on assignments and issues, not names...and please check the blog often.