1. Take turns talking.

• Because of possible delays in VoIP techonology, wait until a student is finished speaking before you talk to avoid interrupting the student.
  

2. Change pen colors.  

• Use different colors on the whiteboard to help keep the work visually organized.
  

3. Use the red pointer as often as possible.  

• Because the student cannot see the movements of your mouse or where on the whiteboard you are directing, use the pointer tool to guide the student to where he or she should be looking or working.
  

4. Have the student complete as much of the work as possible.

• Guide the student through the process, but have the student do the actual writing, drawing, or reading.
  

5. Continuously provide the student with verbal feedback.

• With online tutoring, students cannot receive visual feedback from you because they cannot see your body language or facial expressions.  Therefore, keep the student aware that you are attentive.
  

6. Continuously give positive feedback.  

• Affirm the student both verbally (e.g. “that’s correct”, “good job”, “keep it up”, “uh-huh”) and visually (e.g. star correct answers, draw a smiley face on a completed worksheet).  Use the student’s name when giving positive feedback (e.g.  “Great job, William”, “Awesome, Samantha, I’ll bet you always pay attention in class.  That’s great!”).
  

7. Refrain from giving negative feedback.  

• Avoid using phrases such as “that’s wrong”, “you’re incorrect”, etc.  Replace these negative comments with encouraging phrases such as  “let’s try that again”, etc.
  

8. Don’t be afraid to engage the student.

• Talk about the student's interests and favorite subjects, books, etc.   However, be sure not to cross the line into personal or private information.
  

9. If you don’t know the answer, be honest with the student.  

• Advise the student to ask a teacher, an adult or another student for help.  It is better to be unsure and give a right answer than to be sure and give a wrong answer.
  

10. Make use of your resources.  

• Remember, you have the power of the Internet at your hands to find the correct answers.

1. Do not share personal or private information.

2. Do not share personal pictures or videos.

3. Use computers that are in open or public spaces.

4. Do not agree to meet in person people who you befriend online.

5. Be aware of communications from unfamiliar persons.

6. Always report to an adult any suspicious activities or unfamiliar solicitations.

Learn To Be tutors will NEVER ask you for private information nor will they ever ask to meet or speak with you outside the online classroom.  Tutors may ask you about your hobbies, interests, or favorite things, but tutors will not ask you about private information.  When in doubt, tell your tutor that you are uncomfortable sharing information with him or her.  If you ever feel uncomfortable with the information you or your tutor has shared or requested, immediately report this to an adult.

Learn To Be reminds you to have a fun and safe online learning experience!

Research by the Higher Education Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that service participation contributed to significant positive effects on eleven different outcome measurements:

-Academic performance (GPA, writing skills, critical thinking skills)

-Values (commitment to activism and to promoting racial understanding)

-Self-efficacy

-Leadership (leadership activities, self-related leadership ability, interpersonal skills)

-Choice of a service career

-Plans to participate in service after college

The importance of the development of the students cannot be overlooked but the life skills and awareness that college students receive through their work with non-profits and underrepresented communities only substantiate the need for more volunteers and more service work. The success achieved on all counts for college students involved in service is unheard of in any other classroom. The work done through Learn To Be has the ability to shape the career path for any college student looking for their next life goal.  In order to cultivate the next generation of leaders in business, education, or health care, college students must begin at the grassroots level, doing fieldwork and becoming aware of what needs change. Upon integrating their own values and goals with experiences working for inner-city youth, Learn To Be tutors can become agents of change in whatever field they pursue by always bringing solutions back to the communities they worked with.