This is a literature review, which serves Part 2 of my paper (II) and would be analytical of probably Case 1 (but not sure)....and with analytical review of Case 1
Source: Shaw,Jessica D. Medfield High School, Medfield, Massachusetts.The Writing Lab Newsletter, Tutor's Column: How to melt an icy student, July 11-14, 2002, p.12. electronic newsletter.
"Allison waltzes into the Writing Center. With her nose in the air, she lowers herself reluctantly into a chair and gingerly hands over her paper. As the tutor reads her work. Allison asks obnoxiously, "Are you qualified to read my paper?" As the tutor makes suggestions, Allison raises her eyebrows and defends her paper, dismissing every word. At this point, several thoughts fly through the tutor's head. What's the best way to handle a student like Allison? How do you stay collected and still attempt to help her?" (Shaw 12)
"Nearly every tutor encounters students that are so apathetic that they seem frightening, annoying, infuriating, or all of the above. Icy students definitely pose a unique challenge to tutors. Regardless of the type, though, tutors should make an effort to both help the student and save their own sanity!" (Shaw 12)
Even though she starts off her article with an arrogant, impulsive student, the example the writer is trying to demonstrate is that, many times through rhetoric and questioning, a student's attitude and session will be turned around, and as a coach, one's cool is not lost, in order to continue helping the student. I wasn't sure what "icy" meant but after careful review, now see that it means hard to break like ice. Meaning a difficult person to tutor and insinuating the student has the attitude of an ice queen (ill mannered and obnoxious even though she is the one needing the help, not the coach.)
The review goes on to pinpoint (3) three options in handling such a student.
"One option for the tutor is to try to melt the student immediately. After opening with friendly small-talk, pointed question like, "What can I help you with today?" or "How would you like to revise your paper and make it better?" can encourage the student to open up and get involved in the session." (Shaw 12
"Another option for tutors is to make an effort t help icy students without doing anything extra. Tutors must be friendly, ask questions, and read the paper with care, but limit the amount of suggestions: an attitude problem does not make for receptive students!" (Shaw 12)
"At the end of the session, tutors should smile and thank the student for coming. They can also remind the student of the other resources the writing center had to offer. Handouts, written-only feedback, and a website may help the student in the future and push him or her to continue using the writing center. Encouraging the student to return helps to end a less-than-ideal session on a positive note." (Shaw 12)
"For tutors, sometimes the greatest challenge can be to remember not to take anything personally!" (Shaw 12)
"The point is, Allison may or may not be open to help. Maybe she was forced by a teacher to see a tutor, or perhaps she's afraid of writing since people have been overly critical of her work in the past. Tutors have zero control over these factors. All they can do is be patient, make an effort, and let it all go at the end." (Shaw 12)
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