Summary: Tutorials and One to Ones
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What do we mean by tutorials and one to one meetings?
Tutorials are small group or individual one to one meetings between student(s) and an academic member of staff (a course tutor, personal academic tutor or research supervisor. They play an important part of a student’s studies and play a part in most academic programmes.
Benefits of tutorials and one to ones
Benefits to students can include:
- developing communication and collaborative working skills
- applying knowledge gained in lectures, research etc.
- working to solve problems in a small team or group
- an opportunity to test and deepen understanding of topics
- learn from other students – their ideas and approach
- clarify any concepts that might not have been understood
- a confidential and safe space to discuss issues of concern
- focussed time to explore key academic or pastoral topics
Some of the general concerns and issues
Students may face difficulties in a number of different ways:
- Is the purpose of a specific tutorial clearly explained and set out beforehand?
- Some students may struggle to empathise with and accommodate others.
- Is the environment where it is being held accessible to all students? For example: physical space; sensory space; can everyone hear what is being said? Are there challenges of sensory overload?
- Some students may have concern about their ability to fully participate.
- Some students may have particular challenges relating to topics being discussed.
- Confidence and/or social anxiety
Points for reflection
- How does your practice support the needs of all students with regard to tutorials and one to one meetings?
- What changes to the way you manage these meetings could you make?
- What are the main barriers to you accommodating students’ needs with regard to tutorials and presentations? How can these be overcome?