Online Tutoring Online Tutoring 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following BEST describes 'scaffolding' in an online tutoring context?
- Providing the student with all correct answers upfront
- Giving structured support that is gradually removed as the student gains independence (Correct answer)
- Assigning progressively harder homework each week
- Using multiple screens during a tutoring session
Correct answer: Giving structured support that is gradually removed as the student gains independence
Scaffolding means providing temporary, structured support that decreases as the student builds confidence and skill.
Question 2: A parent emails the tutor complaining that their child's grades have not improved after 10 sessions. What should the tutor do?
- Ignore the email
- Schedule a three-way meeting to review progress data and adjust the plan (Correct answer)
- Refund all session fees immediately
- Blame the student's school teacher
Correct answer: Schedule a three-way meeting to review progress data and adjust the plan
A three-way meeting with concrete progress data allows all parties to collaboratively identify and address barriers to improvement.
Question 3: Which FERPA consideration is most relevant to online tutors working with K-12 students?
- Tutors must report all grades to the Department of Education
- Tutors should not share a student's educational records or progress with third parties without consent (Correct answer)
- Tutors are required to hold a teaching license
- Tutors must use government-approved platforms only
Correct answer: Tutors should not share a student's educational records or progress with third parties without consent
FERPA protects the privacy of student education records; tutors must obtain proper consent before sharing student information.
Question 4: What is the advantage of using breakout rooms in a group online tutoring session?
- They allow the tutor to take breaks during the session
- They enable small-group collaboration and peer learning among students (Correct answer)
- They reduce the cost of the tutoring platform
- They prevent students from messaging each other
Correct answer: They enable small-group collaboration and peer learning among students
Breakout rooms allow students to work in smaller groups, encouraging collaboration and active participation.
Question 5: A tutor wants to track a student's progress over multiple sessions. Which approach is MOST systematic?
- Relying on memory of past sessions
- Maintaining a session log with notes on topics covered, performance, and next steps (Correct answer)
- Asking the student to self-report their progress
- Reviewing the student's homework grades only
Correct answer: Maintaining a session log with notes on topics covered, performance, and next steps
A session log provides an objective, consistent record that helps identify trends and inform future instruction.
Question 6: When is it appropriate for an online tutor to refer a student to another professional?
- When the student asks too many questions
- When the student's needs fall outside the tutor's expertise or involve a learning disability requiring specialist support (Correct answer)
- When the student fails a single test
- When the student's parents request a refund
Correct answer: When the student's needs fall outside the tutor's expertise or involve a learning disability requiring specialist support
Ethical tutoring means recognizing the limits of one's expertise and connecting students with appropriate specialists when needed.
Question 7: Which technique helps a tutor verify that a student has understood an explanation rather than just memorized it?
- Having the student repeat the explanation word-for-word
- Asking the student to apply the concept to a new, unfamiliar example (Correct answer)
- Moving on to the next topic quickly
- Sending a follow-up email after the session
Correct answer: Asking the student to apply the concept to a new, unfamiliar example
Applying knowledge to a novel example demonstrates true comprehension, not just rote memorization.
Online Tutoring Online Tutoring 3
Which of the following BEST describes 'scaffolding' in an online tutoring context?