Math Lab Demeanor
Juan A. Gatica
Its is expected that students seeking help from the Math Lab will make it clear to the tutors that they do need help, by either raising their hand or, if this is not successful, by requesting the receptionist to find help as soon as possible (there are times when the Lab is overwhelmed with tutoring requests)
The procedure for the tutor is to walk around the lab, notice who's there, stop and ask a student if they need help, help the student, then repeat this procedure with other students. When the lab is crowded, you may have to group students who are on the same topic and work in a small group. Also, from time to time you may be asked to conduct a "Special Topic," or test review session. Chris or Prof. Gatica will inform you beforehand.
1. Your main obligation while in the Lab is to tutor students in the courses that we serve. If you are teaching a course or are a section leader, you may give preference to your students.
2. The tutor's job is not to work problems, but to get the students to work problems. Begin by asking students to do what they can. Try to find out why they cannot complete the problem. Ask questions whose answers lead to a method of solving the problem. If it is necessary for you to do the problem, there should be a follow-up. Explain the thought process you followed and then give a similar problem to the student. Do not forget to praise correct responses even if these responses are not the final solutions.
3. Respect the dignity of each person with whom you work. Remember, we are often trying to remove mental blocks and negative attitudes caused by various previous experiences the student may have had e.g. repeated experiences of failure, bad teaching techniques, etc.
4. When a student asks for help, use the method presented in the text and/or that method presented by their instructor. If the students are having trouble understanding these methods, then you may want to suggest an alternate method. Be aware of the curriculum level. (i.e. there are no derivatives in precalculus classes).
5. If students ask questions about testing or other procedures and you do not know the answer, refer them to their instructors in the course.
6. What if no one comes to you for help? Get up and walk around the Lab every so often, noticing who is there and stopping to ask if a person has a question. It won't take long to encourage questions if students think you are sincere about wanting to help them.
7. You must become familiar with your instructors' teaching methods and his/her lecture notes. Also you should investigate other texts, supplementary materials, computer-assisted lessons and other materials that we use in the Lab. Then recommend to your students those materials that you feel will benefit them. They won't know it's there if you don't tell or show them.
8. When you have four or five students try to spend some time with each student. Walk around the table and answer a question or give enough hints so that the student can continue to work while you attend to another student. If this doesn't work, then do the work at the blackboard and answer questions from each student.
9. There will be times when the Lab is not particularly busy. You may bring your own course material and study. However, you must always be aware that those students who are in the Math Lab will have questions and they have priority over all other activities. If you are working on matters not related to the Lab, please stop working on it as soon as you see a student that needs help; students may feel very reluctant to interrupt you.
