Blog Post #4 -- Heather

The reading in Chapter 4 of The Bedford Guide was helpful in its articulation of the different kinds of students that seek assistance from the writing center. It struck me, as I was reading, that it is often the case that tutoring clients fall into more than one of the categories identified in Chapter 4.  I also found that the suggestions for working with several of the diverse populations were applicable to other client groups as well. For example, the authors suggest being aware of the nuances associated with providing guidance to an adult learner with which most tutors would have an age difference. I think this suggestion works across several populations, and also across different disciplines.  Being aware of generational differences, as well as cultural and environmental differences, is crucial to any good interpersonal interaction. The authors' suggestion to verbalize everything when working with students who are visually impaired also works with many populations. When exploring learning styles, there are many students who process information better when it is spoken aloud. Alternating reading paragraphs aloud with my student has fast become one of my favorite tutoring tools. These tools are applicable to the specific population to which the authors suggest them, but also in the provision of support to a broader scope of clients.

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