Reflections on the Use of a Tutor

Review of your research tutoring process. Write a reflective account of how you are using your tutorial support. Consider how you prepare for these contacts, what you have found useful and how you intend to make use of the remaining time.

To date I have made very little use of the tutorial process having held only two meetings with the tutor. Both of these were in relation to the completion of the statement of intent.

There are a number of reasons why I have limited my use of the tutor to date, some intentional, come circumstantial. These are as follows:

1. A desire to reserve the time allocated for supervision to the latter stages of the

MA process. My research question and the structure of my research process

were very clear to me and I felt I needed little guidance and support on these

aside of making my tutor aware of my intentions and to ensure that there were no

immediate difficulties with my proposal. This also served the purpose of the

tutor, once aware of the area of research, to be able to forward possible links

and sources of information that I may find helpful and of interest. The

reservation of the time towards the end of the process was due to my lack of

confidence in terms of the areas such as data collection and the collation and

interpretation of results. This has also meant that I have needed to discuss with

my tutor her availability towards latter stages of the project. This has been

confirmed.

2. External influences. A number of areas in both my work and personal life have

resulted in time constraints that I could not previously have anticipated when I

started to undertake this course of study. This has led me to have not progressed as quickly as I had hoped towards the design data collection process. I have found the supportive nature of the tutor extremely helpful in weathering these issues and in encouraging me to persevere. This has been further delayed by the date negotiated with the school when I am to undertake my data collection exercise research being delayed to coincide with other activities at the school that are related to gifted and talented students, the area that my research concerns.

The limited use of the tutor to date does not however mean I am unconvinced of the benefit of the use of the tutor and scheduled meetings have been extremely beneficial in helping me formulate my ideas, develop the research question and complete my statement of intent.

I have prepared for these meetings by ensuring that my tutor has any necessary documents in advance of the meetings, that I have a clear idea of what I need to discuss and what I want to achieve from the meetings. I also feel it is important to go to the meetings willing to accept all feedback for consideration and reflection, even if I do not agree with it initially.

I have found Hyatt's analysis of the use of a tutor and his categorisation of comments a tutor may make particularly helpful in reflecting on the role of a tutor and the areas that they may be able to assist with in relation to the research process. It is important never to lose sight of the fact that one of the end objectives is to obtain a Masters qualification. I understand that tutor has a key role in assisting the tutee in ensuring the outcome of their work will result in the successful achievement of this