I was observing Josie Daniell tutor her Year 12 HSC maths student from 6-7pm. She explained everything really well, and it was clear that she knew the content well, but more importantly, she had a really good way of make the work easier to understand.
One thing I noticed was how much she used the whiteboard. Rather than just talking. through the questions, Josie worked through examples step by step, showing exactly how to approach each problem. This made to much easier to follow and understand the maths process.
She also used a range of examples to help explain the different types of questions that could come up in the students trial exam. I though this was particularly useful because it showed the student how to apply the same method to different questions, rather than just memorising one answer.
Another thing that stood out to me was how patient Josie was. She took the time to explain things again when needed and made sure the student understood before moving on. Her explanations were clear and straightforward, and she created a comfortable environment where the student could ask questions without feeling nervous.
Overall, I though the tutoring session was really successful and helpful to her student. Josie made Year 12 Maths seem much less overwhelming by breaking questions down into manageable steps and using practical examples. Her use of the whiteboard made the lesson more visual and engaging, and I could see how this would help a student feel more confident when preparing for exams.
After observing Josies tutoring session, I got some tips on how I should do my tutoring session, and techniques I should implement in my tutoring style, especially the use of the whiteboard. She was organised, friendly and knowledgeable - a really helpful tutor for a student in Year 12.
