Common Problems Encountered in Facilitating a Tutorial

The assumption that the students know more than they do. It is important to remember that these students are new to the field and many may not be science or engineering majors. This means that they may lack the specific vocabulary of your field. This does not mean that they are not capable of understanding complex, technical concepts. Your job is to provide basic information in a clear and accessible manner. One good way to start is by reviewing the technical terms you will be using.
The temptation to lecture. The students get three hours of lecture a week. The tutorial is the time to encourage the students to ask questions and to engage their critical thinking skills by asking questions. You may need to provide background information (e.g., 15-20 minutes of introductory material or ice-breaking exercises), but should avoid the temptation to talk for the entire session.
The temptation to go into too much detail. The goal of the SERTS tutorials is to teach students about the process and culture of science, not the details of a particular field.