Learning to read through e-tutoring

Learning to read through e-tutoring

When reading is taught with a focus on the student and the learning situation, then sub optimal readers develop higher-order reading comprehension abilities. But unfortunately, often times, teaching of reading centers on a few reading materials and techniques that are chosen independent of the needs and developmental stage of the student reader.

Knowing the students’ strengths and weaknesses in reading is one of the most decisive factors in instructional effectiveness. One-on-one e-tutoring offers ample opportunities to develop word-recognition skills, routinely use comprehension strategies, and become self-regulating readers who are aware of their meta cognitive processes.

One-on-one interaction with the student reader gives the e-tutor a clear understanding of the student’s level of assimilation and comprehension. This enables the e-tutor to understand the student better and customize reading materials and instruction. The leading online tutoring provider, Learning Scholars, conducts a diagnostic test when a new student joins. The test evaluates the student's proficiency in various subjects including reading and asses vital skill gaps. Based on the test scores the instructional designers, program coordinators, and online tutors create a customized curriculum taking into account the individual student’s specific requirements, academic goals, learning style, readiness, abilities, and challenges.As students continue to attend online tutoring sessions, their strengths, weaknesses, and readiness change and this shift is reflected in the tutoring methodology, assigned readings, instructional scaffolding and the like.

In the initial stages of imparting reading strategies, explicit instruction is highly effective. Explicit reading instruction offered at Learning Scholars involves the following:
• Familiarize students with high frequency words and common spelling patterns through whole word method and phonic lessons.
• Teachthem specific strategies such as summarizing, making story maps, rereading, reading ahead, monitoring comprehension, asking and answering comprehension questions etc.
• Teach them when to apply a specific strategy.
• Model the application of comprehension strategies.
• Make them aware of their own metacognitive processes.
• Offer guided practice and worksheets.

One-on-one e-tutoring present the ideal environment for imparting explicit instruction. The e-tutor has the flexibility to give undivided attention to the student, impart instruction and strategies particular to the cognitive profile of the student and assign books depending upon the individual developmental stage and interest of the reader. During personalized online tutoring sessions, e-tutors and instructional designers can constantly assess student progress and customize instruction, reading assignments, worksheets, reading and comprehension tasks etc. depending upon the evolution of the reader.

E-tutoring enables even shy students to share their views and become part of the online learning community. The discussions that the student and e-tutor engage in get less intimidating and more dynamic as their understanding of each other deepens. Additionally, the student-centric setting of the online milieu encourages students to be self-regulating learners who are in charge of their learning and their learning environment. Their views, observations, requirements, and interests are decisive while designing the curriculum and instruction.

When student readers learn to apply comprehension strategies on their own, they evolve into competent readers who pause to check their understanding of the text and troubleshoot if necessary. One-on-one online environment provides student readers the ideal setting to evolve into self-regulating experts.