First Observation

Today Tuesday July 16th, was my first day of observing a tutor while they assisted other students with their papers. I felt a little uncomfortable because I know the student didn't sit to well with the fact that I was in their space. I also believed that she felt that she could not ask or state certain things since I was just there to observe. The tutor did introduce herself and me so that the student was not confused as to why I was present but it didn't seem to make much of a difference. The tutor asked the student to explain her assignment and what were the professors comments to her draft paper. After they both went through the comments, the tutor had an idea of what the professor wanted on the final paper. The tutor then began reading the introduction and gave the student positive feedback following the professors comments. The purpose of the paper was to get the students main ideas organized and give more evidence. The tutor directed her into making a stand on whether she agreed or disagreed with the author that she was citing. Her advice was to go towards what she believed in even if it meant that it was to disagree with what the author of the article was stating. She pin pointed where the student might want to add details and evidence to make her argument stronger. I enjoyed this session because the tutor did not do all of the talking, she allowed the student to also talk about what she felt needed to be fixed. At the end of the session the tutor asked the student if she had any more concerns (even though she went past her time limit) and told the student that she can come back to her for more help if needed or any other tutor in the writing center.