Giving Answers and Randomness

I don't really know if it is breaking the law--- was it Dr. Rogers who says that "breaking rules" implies that there are strict rules and guidelines how to tutor?---But I have given answers before in tutoring sessions before. Is it so wrong to help a struggling tutee? After all, he/she came in for your help. If I just stare and not give any kind of aid at all--- what good am I to the student? Often times---when it comes to thinking of the right wording or something--- the best way to say what needs to be said--- I will think out loud. "What if you flip the sentence around? How does that sound? Or maybe if you use this word instead of that. What do you think? What other ways could you re-word this?" I also like to give options. That way, the student has control of the paper and the revision process. I think it is okay to give answers in this way, as long as when the whatever-the-thing-you-helped-fix comes up again in the paper, you let the student do the same---think out loud. And then, be sure to compliment. Let the student know he/she did well.

My brother-in-law has (and does) tutored me in math. He and I will do a problem together and I'll ask lots of questions. He'll teach me tricks and ways to remember how to do the problem. And he gives me the answer. Thenhe will give me another problem: one that looks like the one we did together. But this time, he won't tell me the answer. He'll let me struggle with it and get as far as I can in the problem before he helps. When he finally gives me the answer, though, he doesn't just say whether it is right or wrong. He tells me what I did good-- or what I didn't do so well; he tells me why, too. And then he gives me another problem or we move on. I think it is the same way with writing. At least, I use this same tactic when I tutor. I also ask questions and let the writer explain the concept back to me.

Giving answers may sound like I am “breaking the rules,” and at face value, giving answers is against the law. Tutors don’t want to do someone else’s paper. But you also don’t want to not be helpful. I don’t know which is worse: taking over a session, or not giving the help that is needed.

Anyway, I’d like to switch gears and ask a random question. Are we done blogging, then? Because--- I like the blogs. I mostly like to read and comment, but I don’t mind writing them. If anyone wants to write more blogs, even over the break, I’ll read them and comment if you want. Good luck with stress week/ finals, everyone. Have a happy holiday break.