Objective: Tutors will be better skilled in effective listening techniques and they will be able to interpret messages sent through non-verbal communication (body language). By developing these skills, tutors will be more successful in responding to their students’ needs.
1. If your students respond with the correct answer, how do you know if they really understand the material?
2. View video #5, Diagnosis Through Observation, in The Tutors Guide series.
3. After viewing the video, answer the following questions:
a. In the video, Gail asks a series of rapid questions at a student. What does Gail attempt to accomplish in this excerpt? How would you have dealt with this session?
b. Chris watches his students solve a problem. Can you tell which student is more sure of his answer to Chris question? Why?
c. None of Shawns students can answer his question. How do the students reveal that they dont know the answer? What does Shawn do to elicit an answer?
4. Read the selection Nonverbal Communication.
Do the following exercises:
a. List as many ways as you can how people use body language to communicate.
b. For one day, notice your body language. What kinds of signals are you sending? In what situations did you send positive signals? Negative signals?
c. What kinds of body language might interfere with your effectiveness as a tutor?
5. Answer the following questions:
a. What is listening?
b. What are some common listening mistakes?
6. Read the selections Nondirective Listening and Reflecting.
a. Why is it important to use nondirective and reflective listening?
7. Take the Listening Test. How are your listening skills? Is there room for improvement?
8. Read Tips for Good Listening Skills.
9. Keep a journal for one week; notice and record your listening skills. If you need to make improvements, list where those improvements need to occur and how you plan to accomplish this.
10. Submit this unit and your journal to the Tutor Coordinator.
