Tutoring Tips: Wrap-Up and Reflection

Author: Bella Thorburn

Bella has recently begun her gap year Yipiyap, and currently tutors Maths at a local school!

As tutors, one of the most important steps in any session is ensuring that students leave with clarity and understanding.

A key for this is "wrap up and reflection" – taking at least five minutes at the end of each session to review, clarify any confusion, and identify areas to focus on in future sessions. It’s not just about summarising the content, but also reinforcing positive behaviour and giving students the chance to reflect on their own progress.

This reflective process is crucial, particularly when working with students in one-on-one, partner, or small group settings. The transition back into a classroom environment can be disorienting, especially for students who may not be following the regular curriculum. Taking time for reflection ensures that students leave with a sense of closure and understanding, which can help ease this transition and reinforce the value of the session.

Reflecting during tutoring

While end-of-session reflection is vital, it’s also important to build in moments for reflection during the session itself.

Asking students to reflect at the end of each section of work can help you gauge their understanding in real-time. Even if students aren’t actively asking questions or showing visible signs of confusion, checking in with short reflection prompts can uncover any misunderstandings before they snowball.

For instance, a quick check like, “How do we feel about this so far?” or “Thumbs up if you understand this concept” can give you insight into their grasp of the material. It’s important not to wait until the end of the session to find out if something hasn’t clicked – especially if you only see the student once a week. Many students are adept at pretending they understand to avoid disrupting the session, and it’s better to address any confusion early on than to let it go unnoticed.

Asking the right questions

The newsletter also touched on the importance of asking the right types of questions to gauge understanding. Direct questions like, "What part of the equation tells you the gradient of a line?" (for Maths) or "What’s the definition of an oxymoron?" (for English) can quickly clarify whether a student has understood the core concepts. These kinds of questions help students form habits that will aid them in future assessments.

On the other hand, open-ended questions such as “How confident are you with today’s topic?” or “Were there any parts you’d like me to review in future sessions?” can help foster a deeper, more reflective understanding of the material. Open-ended questions invite discussion and allow students to identify areas where they need more help, rather than simply providing a right or wrong answer.

Managing confidence: The balance between overconfidence and underconfidence

It’s also essential to keep an eye on students’ confidence levels throughout the session. Overconfidence can sometimes arise when students haven’t yet realised how much they still have to learn. This can lead to frustration when they encounter difficulties that they weren’t prepared for. On the flip side, underconfidence is a common issue, particularly for students who have faced academic challenges or are underachieving compared to their target grades.

In some cases, it can actually be beneficial to let students experience a small level of failure, especially when they’ve been working through increasingly difficult tasks. How often have we been in a situation where we felt we weren’t good at a subject, only to be relieved when we found the task easier than expected? That feeling of triumph can be powerful for students, but it should be used sparingly, particularly with students who are prone to underachieving.

As exam season approaches, it’s crucial to challenge underconfidence. For students who feel like they’re struggling, make sure to highlight everything they’ve gotten right. In subjects like Maths or Science, show them where their working out would have earned them marks, even if the final answer was wrong. Emphasising consistency over perfection helps to build their self-belief and encourages them to keep going.

Tracking progress and continuous improvement

As you work through each lesson, always be mindful of how students are responding to the content. The final wrap-up of a session is a perfect time to assess their understanding and note any areas that need further attention in future lessons. Whether you’re doing a quick two-minute summary or engaging in a more in-depth 10-minute discussion, this time is invaluable for refining your teaching approach.

By actively engaging in reflection, both during and after each session, you can ensure that your students have a clear understanding of the material and feel empowered to continue learning. These wrap-up moments, while seemingly small, can have a big impact on student progress and retention.