The Story of Frank the Tutor
(and example of risk taking that came off for a first year programming subject tutor)
Frank arrived at the tutorial. “I have not prepared any answers for today’s questions. The faculty has not given me any, and I have not had time to do them myself. You will have to work them out for me.” Frank then explained how this was to happen. A volunteer was to start doing the first question, and if he or she was stuck, or had contributed enough, the chalk would be passed to another student. This would continue until the questions were complete and every student had made a contribution. At any time a student could contribute ideas or claim the chalk. “Can you cope with this?” There was an anticipatory murmur of agreement and shuffle for position. Frank sat down with the students at the back of the class, and threw the chalk to the first volunteer.
The students proceeded through the questions, with much discussion and hilarity when errors were made, or the need to “tag” another student arose. Every student added at least one idea, and one particular student spent 10 minutes expressing and explaining a particular interpretation, and defending this to the class inquisition. A quiet, shy student (who rarely contributed) took the chalk to contribute on the board when she had the chance. The barriers to contribution broke down as the students took over the “teacher” role one after another. With so many of the group speaking out, making suggestions when the “chalky” faltered, challenging ideas when misconceptions appeared, or leaping up to take the chalk and make a point more forcefully; there was no reason to hide.
All the time Frank sat at the back and threw out encouraging comments and questions that focused the discussion on the “big ideas” that had been discussed at the preparatory meeting, and every now and then provided information and interpretation when the class was unable to resolve an issue. The energy and level of participation grew as confidence increased and more students joined the discussion. Finally time ran out and Frank summed up the “big ideas” before the students tumbled out - still talking.
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