3B Video Exercises (weekly post)

The tutoring videos exhibited a fairly broad range of body language and consultant-client positioning during sessions. Video 2 in particular was a clear over-embellishment of what NOT to do as a tutor in a session. So, I've compiled a list addressing the dos and don'ts of a client's and a consultant's body language based on these delicious videos. Brief notes: I enjoyed the title of video 3, as well as the consultant's reading selection post-session.

Consultants:

DO maintain appropriate and proper eye contact the entire time.

DO greet the client and introduce yourself with a firm handshake and a smile.

DON'T furrow your brow constantly, especially while looking directly at the client.

DON'T make weird negative hand motions, like you're cutting something off, or shaking your head deliberately, like you're lecturing a petulant child.

DO maintain your distance. Give the client plenty of working space, as well as personal space. The cubicle in video 3, for example, seemed a bit crowded/cramped for my liking.

DO present a positive demeanor, and be prepared. Seeming visually or otherwise downtrodden or negative will only convey to the client that you either don't want to be there or don't place a lot of important on the paper/session.

DON'T start rewriting everything for the client. I think that's what was being demonstrated in video 3, contrasted with very light sketches from the HP consultant, but if you are taking that directive of an approach, it's no surprise if the client becomes distanced and unengaged with what you're doing and with what's happening in the session.

DO be respectful.

Clients:

DON'T be eating something as you're entering the center/introducing yourself. It's kind of gross and really unprofessional.

DON'T look all around and here and there. It tells the consultant you're not paying attention to the session and therefore wasting both your and his/her time.

DO be organized. Come with at least one printed out copy of your paper/project (preferably two). When you bring it in with a slew of other papers, on a laptop without printing capabilities, or a handwritten version, you're preventing optimal consulting and feedback.

DO turn off your cell phone. This applies to consultants, as well, but was made evident in the second video. It's bad enough if the ring interrupts the session; it's even 10 times worse if you answer it.

DO be engaged. This consultant is here to help you, and you alone; if you treat it as another teacher giving you "crap" about a paper, you are, once again, wasting the time of both of you.

DO be respectful. Video 2, once again, demonstrated an acute lack of respect for the consultant. Not cool.