Chapter 1
What is a Math Lab Tutor?
Chapter 1-What is a Math Lab Tutor
Section 1.1-Duties of a Math Lab Tutor
This section deals with the duties of a tutor.
· A tutor helps tutor people in the math lab.
· A tutor aids students in using the computer software.
These are the basic duties of a tutor. However, as you will soon realize, there is a lot more to the job than just helping people with math.
Section 1.2-How Students View Tutors
This section covers how students view tutors.
Students view tutors as very helpful people. A student will ask you anything. Sometimes they ask a question you can’t answer and they are shocked. Students sometimes forget that we don’t know everything.
Section 1.3-How Faculty View Tutors
This section covers how faculty view tutors.
Faculty view tutors as a great thing to have. They are constantly referring students to us for help. Faculty enjoy the service we provide to students.
Chapter 2
Opening the Lab
Chapter 2-Opening the Lab
Section 2.1-Procedure
This section deals with the procedure for opening the lab.
In this section are the eight steps to follow when opening the math lab. This procedure occurs each morning that the lab is open.
1. Open the Door -If the door is not already open, find someone to open it. First look for the Math Specialist. If he or she is not there, someone in Student Services has a key. As a last resort, call security at 7-3333 on any campus phone.
2. Turn on the Computers -Each computer needs to be turned on so that they are ready for use by students during the day. Each has a power switch that must be pushed.
3. Be Sure the Sign-In Book is on the Table -The sign-in book must be on the table and ready for students to use. Be sure that there is some type of pen to sign in with.
4. Straighten Up the Chairs –Be sure that the chairs are all pushed in at all of the tables. This keeps the lab looking neat and not cluttered.
5. Straighten Up the Tutor Table –Be sure that the tutors’ table in the front of the room is not cluttered with papers and other litter.
6. Straighten Up the Tables –Be sure that the tables have no litter or scrap paper on them. Again, this keeps the lab from looking cluttered.
7. Write the Date on the Board –This is so that the students will have the date to put in the sign-in book. Be sure your date is correct.
8. Make Sure the Scrap Paper Box Has Paper –The scrap paper in the box is used by tutors to do problems on. If the box is empty, ask the Math Specialist or someone in Student Services for some scrap paper.
Chapter 2-Opening the Lab
Section 2.2-When to Arrive
This section gives the time that the lab should open and when the tutor
responsible for opening the lab should arrive.
The lab should open at the scheduled time which is set by the Math Specialist.
Currently that time is 10:00 A.M. Any tutor responsible for opening the lab (the first tutor on duty) should arrive about 10 to 15 minutes early in order to ensure that the lab is open and ready by 10:00 A.M. Please try not to be late. In the event that you are going to arrive late, please do the following:
· Call someone in Student Services to let them know.
· Ask the person in Student Services to open the door and to write on the board that you are running late.
· Try to get there as soon as you can.
It is understood that occasionally circumstances may arise that will cause you to be late (snow, icy roads, flat tire, etc.). Please remember that it is always better to call and let someone know what is going on than to just arrive late.
Chapter 3
Before Scheduled Time
Chapter 3-Before Scheduled Time
Section 3.1-What to Do When You Arrive
This section deals with what to do when you arrive for work.
A tutor is always expected to arrive at work before their scheduled time. This is because of things that must be done before you start work for the day. The following is a list of things to do when you arrive at work.
· Check Your Mailbox –Each tutor has a folder in Student Services as a mailbox. You should check it for any new information. The mailbox is covered later in Chapter 9.
· Log in on Kronos
· Put on Your Button –There are buttons in the lab which say Math Lab Assistant. A button is to be worn anytime you are working in the lab. I have found that the button is very helpful. It lets people know that you are working. Many tutors come to the lab even when they are not on duty to do their own homework. If you are not wearing your button students will know that you are not working and will not bother you.
Section 3.2-Be on Time
This section deals with a tutor being on time to work.
It is important that all tutors arrive on time for work. The tutor working before
you may not be able to leave if you are late; this in turn makes them late. If you are going to be late, do the following:
· Call the Math Specialist and let them know that you are going to be late.
· If you can’t reach the Math Specialist, call and let someone in Student Services know that you are going to be late and have them tell the tutor in the lab.
· Get there as quickly as you can.
Chapter 3-Before Scheduled Time
Section 3.2-Be on Time (continued)
Occasionally you may be late, but again remember it is always better to let someone know what is going on. This way they can do what is needed until you get there.
Chapter 4
While In the Lab
Chapter 4-While In the Lab
Section 4.1-Concerning Students
This section covers how to deal with students while in the lab.
Remember to always follow these steps when helping students:
1. Always be respectful.
2. Be approachable to students.
3. If a student asks for help, do your best to help them.
4. Be attentive to the students.
5. When you help a student, try to sit or kneel down so it is not as if you are looking down on them.
6. Be sure that the student understands what you are telling them. Be sensitive to the student’s individual learning environment. Tell them enough to meet their needs. Be careful not to discuss mathematics beyond their learning needs.
7. Always listen to a student. If you listen you may be able to tell what is wrong by how they approach the problem.
8. Be patient with a student. Some people have a hard time with math. If they don’t understand, it may not be because of you.
9. Try to explain things in more than one way. Money always works for me.
10. Try to reassure a student that they can do it.
11. Work examples. Never do their homework for them. Do other problems like the ones assigned.
12. Check on people even if they say they’re doing fine. Some students may
say they’re doing fine but they are really doing problems wrong. Make
sure that those who say they are doing fine are doing things correctly.
13. Walk around the room and check on people.
Chapter 4-While In the Lab
Section 4.1-Concerning Students (continued)
14. Always ask to see the student’s notes. Each teacher has their own way of doing things. You want to be sure that you are showing it the way the instructor prefers.
Section 4.2-Concerning Sign-In Book
This section covers the sign-in book for students.
Make sure every student who comes into the lab signs in the book. This book shows how many people come to the lab each month and justifies the expense of continuing the math lab. Instructors also use the sign-in book to see who has used the math lab.
Follow the steps below when a student is “SIGNING IN”
1. Determine what Class they are in. The book is sectioned according to classes from 007.E up to 251. Be sure that the student is on the right class page.
2. Determine what Professor they have. The book is also sectioned into a page for each professor within each class. Be sure that the student is signing in on the correct instructor’s page. This is also so that the instructor can easily see which of their students have been coming to the lab.
3. Determine their Name. The student signing in must put his or her name in the first column. It is important that they sign their name legibly. If you can’t read their writing, have them print it. If the desired sign-in page is full, get a new page. Blank pages are located in a file folder which is in a box on the bookcases.
Check what the student has filled out.
4. What Date did they put in the second column? In the second column the student should put the date. Be sure it is the correct date. Dates are used to help the professors in determining if a student who is required to be in the lab has been coming on a regular basis.
Chapter 4-While In the Lab
Section 4.2-Concerning Sign-In Book (continued)
5. What Time did they get to the lab? The third column is for the time in. This is the time the student came into the lab. They are to fill it out when they first sign in. A clock is on the wall to help with this.
6. What Time did they leave the lab? The fourth column is for the time out.
This is the time the student left the lab. They are to fill it out as they leave. Again,
use the clock on the wall.
Math Specialist will complete.
7. The Math Specialist will fill in the hours column.
Again, it is important that the students fill in the book correctly. It not only helps them but also helps us keep the lab running. So again the six steps are:
1. Find correct class area in the book.
2. Find correct instructor page in the class area of the book.
Check to see that the student:
3. Filled in the Name column (legibly).
4. Filled in the Date column correctly.
5. Filled in the Time In column.
6. Filled in the Time Out column.
Remember these steps whenever a student is signing in. They are very important. See the page below, which is a copy of a sign-in sheet that goes in the book.
Course: The Class you determined they were in. Step 1
Instructor: The Instructor you determined they had. Step 2
NAME / DATE / TIME IN / TIME OUT / HOURSCheck
/ Check / Check / CheckStep 3 / Step 4 / Step 5 / Step 6
Example:
T.J. Ratliff / 11/5/00 / 12:30 / 2:30
Chapter 4-While In the Lab
Section 4.3-Concerning Computer Usage
This section covers the use of the computers while you are in the lab. Please refer to Computer Usage Chapter 7 for more details.
Section 4.4-Concerning Video Tapes and Books
This section covers signing in and out the video tapes and books for use by the students.
Students are allowed to check out the video tapes that are located in the math lab. To do so, they must meet with the Math Specialist.
However, students are not allowed to check out the textbooks. Textbooks must remain in the lab. Students are free to use them but see that they don’t leave the lab with them.
Section 4.5-Concerning Other Tutors
This section covers how to treat other tutors in the lab.
While you are in the lab, there may be other tutors in there as well. When there is more than one tutor in the lab, things can get a little more challenging. Try to follow these guidelines when dealing with this situation.
· Be respectful of the other tutor. If a tutor is helping someone, don’t interrupt them. Allow that tutor to do their job.
· Never leave one tutor to do all of the work. When there are two of you, try to split things up fairly evenly. Take turns checking on people or being on the computer.
· Try to keep tutoring the same people. It is very confusing to a student trying to learn math if he has two people showing two ways to do a problem.
Chapter 4-While In the Lab
Section 4.6-Concerning Talking
This section covers talking in the math lab.
Section 4.6.1-Noise Level
It is important to remember that the math lab is a place to study. It is hard to study if the level of noise is too great. Therefore it may become necessary to ask people to be quiet if the noise level becomes distracting to anyone. Remember-Keep the Noise Level Down.
Section 4.6.2-Appropriate Conversation
Be sure that the conversations in the lab are of an appropriate nature. This does not mean that all conversation must be about math. Simply, the conversation should be appropriate for the setting.
Section 4.6.3-Inappropriate Conversation
Be sure that no inappropriate conversation is occurring. This includes language, vulgarity, etc. If a conversation of this nature is occurring be sure to let the people involved know that you would appreciate them not continuing the conversation. If it still persists, call the Math Specialist to handle it or call Security.
Section 4.6.4-Talking Among Tutors
When there are students in the lab, avoid socializing and chattering with other tutors. Use professional language. Avoid criticism, especially of instructors, textbooks, or assignments. Do not talk negatively about students and their grades or performance.
Section 4.7-Concerning Food and Drinks
This section deals with the aspect of food and drinks in the lab.