In the comprehensive hiring process for tutors at Morphoses, the initial demonstration (demo) serves as a crucial step to assess the candidate's teaching capabilities. The demo is not only pivotal for the hiring decision but also sets the standard for the practices and techniques that tutors are expected to uphold in all their classes. This is a reflection of Morphoses’ commitment to delivering high-quality education consistently. The following are the key aspects evaluated during the demo, each playing an integral role in determining a tutor's grading. These criteria are not just for the demo but are standards that should be maintained in every class to ensure the effectiveness and quality of teaching:
Introduction and getting to know your class
To Do: Greet students warmly, introduce yourself, and ask a couple of personal but general questions like, "What's your favorite subject?" or "What are your hobbies?"
Question to Ask Yourself:
"Did I make an effort to know each student and create a welcoming atmosphere?"
‘’Did I share things about myself?’’
Soft Skills Connection
To Do: Start a conversation about soft skills by asking, "Can anyone tell me what 'soft skills' are?"
Especially for younger age groups (6-8,9-11) we need to give proper examples to understand what we mean by the term ‘’soft skills’’. You can mention that soft skills are like superpowers!
Question to Ask Yourself:
”Does my class know what soft skills are?”
"Did I effectively relate the day's activity to real-life soft skills application?"
Example: Let's assume the day's activity is a group discussion on a current topic. The soft skill in focus is 'communication', which includes listening, presenting thoughts clearly, and respectful debating. The tutor could relate this activity to real-life applications by explaining, "Today's group discussion is not just about sharing opinions on a topic. It's about learning how to communicate. The skills you're practicing here – listening to others, articulating your thoughts, and engaging in respectful debate – are crucial in many real-life situations, be it in school projects, family discussions, or even future workplaces. These scenarios require you to express yourself clearly and understand others, just like in our discussion today."
Activity Introduction
To Do: Describe the activity clearly; for instance, "Today, we'll be working on a team-building exercise that will help us improve our communication skills.”, ‘’The goal is to save Elli, to save her, we need our communication skills!’’
Question to Ask Yourself:
"Did I clearly communicate the goals and relevance of the activity?"
Engagement
To Do for Younger Groups: As a tutor, your approach should be dynamic and energetic. Engage younger students by using expressive body language, varying your tone of voice to keep them interested. If you have asked something and your learners do not reply, you should call them by their name.
Question to Ask Yourself:
"Did I engage the students appropriately according to their age group?"
"Did I use a variety of tones, gestures, and visual aids to make the session engaging?"
To Do for Older Groups: For older students, adopt a more discussion-based approach. Encourage them to share their thoughts and opinions, fostering a dialogue rather than a monologue. Treat them as young adults, respecting their viewpoints and prompting them to engage in more in-depth discussions. This approach helps them feel valued and boosts their critical thinking and engagement.
Question to Ask Yourself:
"Did I engage the students appropriately according to their age group?"
"Did I create a classroom environment where older students felt comfortable sharing and debating ideas as young adults?”
Communication Skills
Employ clear, concise language and integrate relevant examples to make your points more relatable. Ensure your delivery is confident and easy to follow. Pose interactive questions to the class, such as, "Can anyone give me an example of a time when you had to use teamwork?" This approach not only enhances understanding but also encourages student participation.
To Do for Younger Groups: When engaging with younger groups, such as those aged 6-11, our approach is slightly modified. In these sessions, we as tutors provide relevant examples to illustrate our points. This method is tailored to their developmental stage, where guided learning is crucial. For instance, when discussing teamwork, we might share a story about a group of friends working together to build a treehouse, highlighting each person's unique contribution and how their collaboration led to success. This storytelling technique makes abstract concepts like teamwork tangible and relatable for younger learners.
To Do for Older Groups: In contrast, for older groups, such as those aged 12-17, we shift the dynamics. Here, we encourage the students themselves to share their experiences. For instance, we might ask, "Can anyone give me an example of a time when you had to use teamwork?" This interactive approach fosters critical thinking and reflection, allowing students to connect their personal experiences with the concept being discussed. It also promotes a more engaging and participatory learning environment, essential for this age group's cognitive and social development.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
"Was my language clear and straightforward enough for students to easily grasp the concepts?"
"Did I use examples effectively to illustrate my points?"
"Was my delivery confident, and did I communicate in a manner that was easy for students to follow?"
"Did my questions stimulate engagement and deeper understanding among the students?"
Digital Skills & Appearance
To Do: Dress professionally, ensure your background is neat, and check that your audio and video are clear. Prior to any session or presentation, gather all the links and digital resources you plan to use. This could include links to educational materials, interactive activities, or any relevant online content.
Question to Ask Yourself:
"Did my attire and overall appearance reflect a professional and approachable image suitable for an educational setting?"
"Was my use of the camera and microphone effective in delivering clear audio and video quality?"
"Were there any technical issues, and if so, how efficiently did I handle them to minimize disruption?"
Time Management
To Do: Plan the session so that each segment fits within the allocated time, allowing for a smooth beginning and end.
Question to Ask Yourself:
"Did I effectively manage the session's time, starting and ending as planned?"
Outro
To Do: End each session by either summarizing the key points learned or inviting a student to provide a summary. This reinforces the lesson's objectives. Additionally, remind students to complete their reviews. Emphasize the value of feedback, explaining why their reviews are crucial for continuous improvement and tailoring future lessons to better meet their needs and enhance the learning experience.
Question to Ask Yourself:
"Did I provide a clear summary and remind students to give feedback?"
By considering these examples and reflective questions, tutors can better prepare for their demos, ensuring they meet the expectations of each criterion in the evaluation process.
Your final to-do list:
Introduction
Engagement
Communication Skills
Digital Skills
Appearance
Time Management
Outro