It can be difficult to keep young students engaged with their tutoring session, particularly if the session is early in the morning or late in the afternoon. If the student regularly has struggles with concentrating for long periods of time, this can exacerbate the problem. For this reason, it is important to develop strategies to maximise the student’s engagement for the duration of the session to make sure they are getting the most of their tuition. One method which I have noticed can have a positive impact is allowing them to write on the whiteboard.

Whiteboards are a useful resource for a number of reasons, but one thing I have noticed is an increase in the student’s focus and attention when I get them to write on the whiteboard themselves– whether it be taking notes as I am speaking to them about something, or working through a problem– rather than if I were simply to write the points out myself to show them. Tasking them with scribing the session notes ensures that they must slow down and really listen to what is being said, and think carefully about how to phrase it in their own words and in a way which makes sense to them. It is well-known that writing– particularly by hand– is linked to memory, with a positive impact for learning. Thus, the act of writing themselves will improve their ability to remember the content being discussed. Writing is also a physical action, forcing them to be actively engaged with the session, as well as allowing them to channel any restless energy that could alternatively lead to fidgeting or distractions. Further, focusing their attention on the whiteboard in front of them helps to ensure that the student is staying on task, making it clear if their mind begins to stray.

Ultimately, having students make notes on the whiteboard themselves is a great way to engage them in a more hands-on way by getting them to play an active role in their learning, helping to channel their attention on to the task at hand and improve their connectivity with the material.

Olivia De Araujo