Group Tutoring Techniques
Dave Schmitt- CCBC Essex SSC
Topic Notes:
1. Seating and Setup
a. Seating arrangements which encourage interaction & discussion (e.g. circle; semi-circle)
b. Using the chalkboard/whiteboard often works better than working problems on paper because
it is easier for everyone to see.
c. If it’s a new group, take a few minutes for everyone to introduce themselves to one another.
d. As with one-on-one tutoring, set an agenda early in the session. Assess the needs of the
different students and split the group if some students need help in substantially different areas
or work at substantially different paces.
2. Encouraging Participation
a. Use of eye contact to keep everyone included in the discussion
b. Make sure the students are doing the bulk of the work; if necessary assign specific
responsibilities during the session (e.g. certain problems or summary of a topic)
c. Try to get students to answer each other’s questions (see questioning handout)
i. Redirect questions back to the group rather than simply giving a blanket explanation
ii. Ask open-ended questions about the topic being covered
d. Have students summarize each other’s answers and/or explain the concepts of the topic.
e. When you are summarizing a topic, point out specific contributions from specific students. E.g.
“As Frank said, we start this problem by doing X. Then we use the procedure Jane showed…”
f.
Stress the confidentiality of the session as a way to make students feel more comfortable to
open-up and express themselves without fear of looking stupid.
3. Managing the Session
a. Provide “direction but not dictatorship;” i.e. guide the discussion but limit the amount of time
you spend talking and try not to lecture.
b. Control dominant students by ceding the floor to others. E.g. “We’ve heard Susan’s approach to
this, but what would you do Bob?”
c. Deal with distractions & wandering off-task quickly. Try to be kind & respectful but firm; use the
task as justification.
d. Consciously draw quieter members into the conversation.
4. Splitting the Group
a. If the group is split, move back-and-forth between them in a pre-defined way.
i. E.g. “I’ll work with group A on problem 5 while group B discusses problems 10-15. Then
I’ll go over what group B did while group A tries problems 6 & 7.”
ii. Or: “I’ll take 10 minutes with group A and then do 10 minutes with group B.”
References:
 Appalachian State University; Tutor Training Handouts
 Main Site: http://www.tutoring.appstate.edu/tutortraining/
 Group Tutoring Tips: http://www.tutoring.appstate.edu/tutortraining/pdf/grouptutoring.pdf
 Redirecting Questions: http://www.tutoring.appstate.edu/tutortraining/pdf/redirectingquestions.pdf
 Types of Questions: http://www.tutoring.appstate.edu/tutortraining/pdf/moreonquestions.pdf
 Tutor Tutor Website
 Main Site: http://www.smccd.net/accounts/perezf/tap/Tutortutor/welcome.html
 Group Tutoring Tips: http://www.smccd.net/accounts/perezf/tap/Tutortutor/group.html
 Three Rivers Community College TASC (Tutoring & Academic Success Centers); Tutor Training
 Main Site: http://www.trcc.commnet.edu/Ed%5FResources/TASC/Training/training%20index.htm
 Group Tutoring: http://www.trcc.commnet.edu/Ed%5FResources/TASC/Training/Group_Tutoring.htm
 DeAnza College Tutorial and Academic Skills Center
 Tutoring Techniques: http://faculty.deanza.fhda.edu/alvesdelimadiana/stories/storyReader$134
 Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory LEARNS Project; The Tutor Newsletter
 Main Site: http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/resources/online_pubs/learns/index.php
 The Tutor Archive: http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/resources/online_pubs/learns/tutor.php
 The Tutor (Summer 2002) “Room for One More?: Strategies for small-group tutoring”
http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/filemanager/download/learns/sum2002.pdf