Online Tutoring Teaching Methods 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which technique is most effective when an online student gives a partially correct answer?
- Correct them immediately and move on
- Use scaffolding to build on what they got right (Correct answer)
- Ask another student to answer instead
- Repeat the question louder
Correct answer: Use scaffolding to build on what they got right
Scaffolding reinforces correct reasoning and guides the student toward the full answer without discouraging partial understanding.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of using 'wait time' (think time) after posing a question online?
- To give the tutor time to check notes
- To allow students to formulate deeper responses (Correct answer)
- To reduce chat lag
- To let slower students catch up on typing
Correct answer: To allow students to formulate deeper responses
Wait time increases response quality by giving students sufficient cognitive processing time before answering.
Question 3: A tutor notices a student consistently solves math problems correctly but cannot explain the steps. Which method addresses this gap?
- Assign more practice problems
- Use think-aloud protocol to model verbalization (Correct answer)
- Skip conceptual explanation and focus on speed
- Lower the difficulty level
Correct answer: Use think-aloud protocol to model verbalization
Think-aloud protocol requires students to verbalize their reasoning, bridging procedural skill and conceptual understanding.
Question 4: Which instructional approach involves presenting a problem before teaching the relevant concept?
- Direct instruction
- Problem-based learning (Correct answer)
- Drill and practice
- Explicit teaching
Correct answer: Problem-based learning
Problem-based learning (PBL) engages students with a challenge first, motivating them to discover and apply new knowledge.
Question 5: When tutoring online, how should a tutor handle a student who dominates the conversation in a small group session?
- Let them lead since they are engaged
- Use structured turn-taking tools like digital raise-hand (Correct answer)
- Move the dominant student to a solo session
- Reduce group session frequency
Correct answer: Use structured turn-taking tools like digital raise-hand
Structured participation tools ensure equitable voice distribution without singling out or discouraging the engaged student.
Question 6: What is 'interleaving' as a teaching method and why is it effective?
- Mixing topics across sessions to improve long-term retention (Correct answer)
- Teaching one skill until mastery before moving on
- Grouping similar problems together for focused practice
- Alternating between tutor-led and student-led instruction
Correct answer: Mixing topics across sessions to improve long-term retention
Interleaving mixes different topics or problem types, forcing retrieval and discrimination that strengthens durable memory.
Question 7: An online tutor wants to check comprehension without formal assessment. Which technique is best suited?
- Schedule a quiz for next session
- Use exit tickets at the end of the session (Correct answer)
- Ask the student if they understood
- Assign homework and review it later
Correct answer: Use exit tickets at the end of the session
Exit tickets provide immediate, low-stakes formative data on student understanding before the session ends.
Online Tutoring Teaching Methods 2
Which technique is most effective when an online student gives a partially correct answer?