Case study
A student comes to you with questions about a report or other writing assignment. The student says he is overwhelmed by all the information and does not know how to start writing. You respond substantively to the questions, but you notice that the student could do with more help. As a teacher, you know how your report, or writing assignment, should be designed, but how do you ensure that this student does not run into the same problem again in another subject?
It is important to first find out what the student is really struggling with.
Does a student have problems with writing assignments? This can have several causes:
- The student does not have all the necessary knowledge
– The requirements are unclear.
– The (sub-)tasks are unclear.
– The function of the (sub-)tasks is unclear.
– It is unclear what steps the (sub-)tasks consist of. - The student does not have the necessary study skills.
– The student cannot (properly) work in a goal-oriented manner.
– The student cannot manage time (well).
– The student cannot concentrate (well). - The student does not have the necessary writing skills.
– The student cannot structure (well).
– The student cannot (properly) formulate a problem statement.
– The student cannot write (well) focused.
– The student cannot (properly) use sources in the text.
– The student cannot (properly) substantiate/argue.
– The student’s mother tongue is not Dutch. - The student does not have the right attitude.
– The student does not want to meet the requirements.
– The student cannot bring himself to meet the requirements.
– The student is not motivated for the subject and/or the assignment. - The student is in circumstances that make it difficult or impossible to meet the requirements.
– The student is pressed for time due to busyness with other study subjects, work or other pursuits.
– The student has physical or psychological problems.
– The student has limited ability to use a computer, printer, or book.
How can you as a tutor support the student in this?
Different causes call for different solutions. HU Helps offers different facilities and guidance. For each solution, we briefly explain what you, as a counsellor, can do yourself, and where you can refer the student.
- Does the student not have all the necessary knowledge? Then it is important to ask what knowledge exactly the student lacks. You can help the student by providing the missing information yourself. Or advise the student where to find the required information.
- Is a student missing study skills for writing a report/assignment? He/she can visit the Student Support Centre for that. Here, training, workshops and master classes are held throughout the year for various skills needed for study. These include verb spelling, ‘Learning to Learn’ and exam training.
- If a student specifically lacks writing skills, or wants additional learning, you can point the student to the Taalwinkel website with lots of information and examples. He/she can also be referred to Language Support. There, the student can be paired with an experienced writing coach for a coaching session. Language Support does not look at spelling and grammar, but helps improve the student’s writing skills. The focus is on argumentation, structure and coherence in the text. The student can also follow workshops such as “How to start your text”, Finding and using literature, verb spelling, etc. In consultation, these workshops can also be offered within a subject for all students. If the student’s mother tongue is not Dutch and this is the main reason why writing is struggling, you can refer a student to HUHome. HU HOME is a student initiative for and by foreign-language students. It was founded to offer a warm welcome to students with a migration background and/or a refugee past at HU. HU Home offers a weekly language classroom where foreign-language students can get help with writing in Dutch as a second language. A mentoring programme is also available.
- Does a student not have the right attitude? Or is the student in special circumstances? For a student who is in a difficult (personal) situation, there are various bodies. Think of the dean, confidential counsellors and student psychologists you can refer the student to.
Consulted source
Source: © Joy de Jong. handouts Tutor training Writing Center Utrecht