What is a Tutor Group? Take a peek below and see if you notice the differences.
Examples and Non-Examples of Tutor Groups
A tutor group is where the instructor and students go on the learning journey together.
Here is how to spot (and not spot) a tutor group:
A tutor group is
A tutor group is not
Spot PBL the instructor guides and mentors from the side
Spot PBL the instructor is the sage on the stage
Spot PBLthe instructor provides just-in-time support and may become part of the group
Spot PBL the instructor tells the answers
Spot PBLthe students work in small groups of ideally 5-8 students
Spot PBL the students engage as a large class
Spot PBLthe students offer emotional and intellectual support to each other
Spot PBL the students work independently
Spot PBLthe students are in control of their outcome
Spot PBL the students are told the desired outcome
The PBL unit can begin as a large group and then split out into groups of 5-8. How you split up the groups is really up to you. For example, for older tutor groups answering the question Should university students in Texas be allowed to keep firearms in their vehicles?, can all take on a different perspectives: the school administrator, a parent of a student who does not carry guns, a student who carries the gun, the city government official, the community. Each brings their unique perspective to the answers.
For younger aged students, it may be appropriate to have all groups looking at the problem from the same perspective. For example the question, Should elementary students be allowed to wear coats in class? could all be examined from a principal's perspective. Each group answering this question, thinking like a principal.
