subject: Being An Effective Science Tutor [print this page] Besides math, science is one of the only other subjects where students have difficulty grasping concepts. You can research the standardized test scores for any state and you will see that students consistently perform lower in this area. This is why a science tutor is so essential. Their effectiveness comes from their ability to connect with students and help them to actually comprehend the subject matter. If you would like to or are currently working as a science tutor, there are several things you can do to help your struggling students become more successful in this area.
One of the first things you can do is ditch the common teaching style. It's clear that this style of teaching isn't necessarily getting through to the student, which may be one reason for the struggle. Use one session to evaluate and recognize the child's learning style. Once you have figured out the learning style, then your next step should be to incorporate that style into your sessions.
For instance, imagine if the child learns best with visuals. The best thing you could do in this case is a use tangible object. So, if you are trying to teach the student about the different types of rocks, you might want to bring in some actual rocks. Let the child hold and examine them as you explain the different aspects of the rocks. If you aren't able to find the actual rocks, you could create fake models of them.
Another thing you can do is allow the student to participate in an interactive activity. You could get some construction paper, markers, or other appropriate art supplies. Present the child with a picture of each type of rock and have the student recreate them. Not only will this be a great learning experience, but it will also give them an opportunity to be creative and have fun.
Along with using tangible objects and interactive activities, you can also let the student watch video presentations about the subject. So, if you want to teach the child about metamorphic rocks, you can find videos or DVDs that explain the topic.
As a science tutor, you have a major responsibility. This isn't because the subject you deal with is more important than all of the others. However, the fact of the matter is, many students have trouble in this area. So, doing everything you can to help them improve in this subject will take diligence and creativity.
