Mapping the Meaning of "Help": Tutor Training and the Sense of Self-Efficacy
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Date
2010
Authors
Auten, Janet Gebhart
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Description
A writing-center director explains how the concept of "self-efficacy"
helps define successful strategies and objectives for both writing
consultants and student writers.
“I don’t feel like we accomplished
anything.” With a frown of frustration, one
of our writing consultants[1] — let’s call
her Amy — sank wearily into the chair
beside my desk to chat about the session
she had just had. “He seemed
overwhelmed, and after a while I felt that
way too. I tried to get him to talk about his
ideas, but he just kept saying he was a bad
writer and couldn’t do papers.” I pointed
out that after 45 minutes with Amy, the
student seemed more positive and left
expressing gratitude. But Amy sighed, “I
can’t see how I helped him at all.”