Memory and Retrieval
This strategy spaces study sessions out over time, making five hours across two weeks more effective than cramming.
What is spaced practice?
The longest portion of a tutoring session is spent here, where the student does most of the talking and learning.
What are the task steps of the tutoring cycle (steps 5-8)?
A tutor notices a student nodding along but asks them to restate the concept in their own words before moving on.
What is checking for understanding?
Asking "What about this topic do you remember from lecture"? is an example of this type of question asking strategy
What is "assessing prior knowledge"?
This technique strengthens memory by recalling information without looking at notes, then checking for accuracy.
What is Retrieval Practice?
Early in a tutoring session, the tutor works with the student to clearly define this so both know what they are working toward during the session.
What is the objective/agenda of the session?
After asking a question, a tutor says, “I’ll give you a second to think about it,” and remains silent while the student processes.
What is wait time?
Leading questions fall into this type of question asking strategy
what is "guiding the student's thinking"?
Asking “how” and “why” questions, making connections, and linking ideas to personal experiences are part of this strategy.
What is Elaboration?
The tutoring cycle is used as a guideline to help tutors structure a session and manage this important constraint.
What is time?
Rather than moving on after a correct answer, a tutor looks for evidence of understanding by asking the student to explain why their answer is correct.
What is checking for understanding?
Asking the tutee to rephrase the answer in their own words, is part of this question asking strategy.
what is checking for independent understanding?
Combining words and visuals—like diagrams, timelines, or infographics—helps learners through this technique.
What is Dual Coding?
Near the end of a session, asking a student to summarize what they learned and how they solved the problem helps confirm this.
What is understanding?
A student repeatedly asks for answers during a tutoring session, and the tutor responds by asking guiding questions that lead the student back to their notes and prior knowledge.
What is redirecting questions?
This type of question is often a dead-end, and will leave you wondering if the tutee actually understands.
Using specific, real‑world examples to understand abstract ideas is the focus of this strategy.
What is Concrete Examples?
A tutor notices sessions feel rushed and end awkwardly when all the time is spent on content rather than intentionally transitioning to these steps.
What are the closing steps (steps 9-12)?
A tutor structures the session so the student actively builds understanding by connecting new material to prior knowledge, solving problems with guidance rather than being given answers.
What is constructivism learning theory?
How long you wait before asking a redirecting question after a student has asked you something.