Blog #12 - Being Tutored and Observed

In our group, Erin was the Tutor, Vanessa the Observer, and I the student. Vanessa brought forms for the tutor and the student to sign acknowledging our acceptance to her being in the room observing the tutoring session. She explained all aspects of the forms we signed including confidentiality. Vanessa was in no way noticeable and I forgot that she was present. Her focus for her research question has to do with eye contact of student and tutor in a tutoring session.

Erin and I were looking at my document on the computer. We sat next to each other however, we were faced opposite to where the observer was. Our backs were to her. Seeing the two of us making eye contact might have been a little difficult for the observer. It may be as hard for an observer to see the eye contact of the participants even if they sit across from each other or next to each other even with a paper document.

What I learned from our session in CAS, is that it is going to be best to have a paper to look at as opposed to looking over the essay, etc. on a computer. Having paperwork will work better in the case of an observer being in the room, and it will also be better for the one on one of tutor and student.