Yilin



February 17, 12

Hello, my name is Yilin Wang. I am currently in grade 12, and I am peer tutoring in ICT 9. I can do variably well on artwork that includes acrylic, graphite, charcoal, color pencils, oil paintings, watercolor...etc. Not only that, I learned how to use the programs Flash, Garage Band, Photoshop, and Illustrator. I am planning to focus on art careers, as I want to enhance my conceptual ideas, critical theory and experiences in university. Since I have four more months left before I graduate, I want to bring my wonderful, high school experiences to the students. This is the reason why I am interested in taking Peer Tutoring course because I enjoy working with students. Furthermore, I love to play badminton, read manga, watch animated movies, talk to my friends, help the community, and look at someone else’s artwork.

__Entry 1-February 12, 12__

I personally think the first week was a bit difficult for me as I reacted slowly to the questions. This is probably why I am not used to communicate with the students since I do not know them very well. The teacher placed me to work with an ESL student who struggled to keep up the class. He was struggling how to use Photoshop and following the instructions. I had to stay by his side and guided him along the way. However, this is a great experience for me because I get to know him better and understand what he wanted to do. By helping with a student along the week, it is easier for me to build my confidence and improve my communication skills. There were some times I made mistakes, but I was willing to become better at peer tutoring.

__Entry 2-February 24, 12__

To become a better tutor, I walk around the classroom, expecting students to ask me questions. Since I recognized some student’s faces, I often asked them if they ever needed a hand. However, some were quiet and shy. It was difficult for me to decide whether I should help them or not. Furthermore, I think I need to improve my confidence. Next time, I will try to force myself to communicate with individual student. That way, I can get a better idea on how to help them. I want to keep myself busy and make friends with them! :D

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My schedule changed this week. Monday, Wednesday and Friday- I go to Planning 10 class to help ESL students with translation and on Tuesday and Friday, I go to ICT 9 class to help students with Photoshop. =====

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One thing I have learned and struggled a lot was from Planning 10 class. There are seven ESL students who frequently needed my help with English and Chinese translation. I realized I had to be fluent with Chinese language. The reason I struggled was because I haven’t spoken Chinese for many months. Therefore, I did not take Chinese school this year. L =====

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It might take few weeks in order for me to get used to communicate in Chinese. The good side is ESL students are amiable and they are willing to make friends with me. I am able to socialize and learn from them!I think this is a wonderful experience! J =====

__Entry 3- March 2, 2012__

The relationship I am working with students are getting better. I have learned to recognize some student’s names. I am becoming more comfortable during the class and the students are used to my surroundings. I see improvement of myself that many students are comfortable to raise their hands to ask for my help. I like that because it feels like I can get them to trust me. Another successful experience is I am able to communicate with each student more. I do not hesitant to ask what the students want and what they are having trouble with. Sometimes, I ask teachers many questions just to make sure I am doing the right way. This is a great learning way because I can learn from them and how to become a better tutor next time. The results of students’ hard work and attributions are improving because I have helped them frequently! J Another wonderful experiences I have had were when 7 ESL students from Planning 10 started to socialize with me more. We treated each other like friends. Despite my flaws of Chinese language, they understand what I am trying to say. Therefore, I really appreciate their understanding despite of my flaws.

__ Entry 4- March 9, 2012 __

I think peer tutoring is meaningful because it helps me to build tight bonds, faith and strong companionship with students. It also reminds me of role like a mother because mother has to handle all the heavy responsibilities, ensuring their children to grow up independently and healthy.

Despite of acting like a teacher, I have a sense of conviction to make sure the students become more open-minded, involved, and optimistic. Even though I lack of teaching experience; however, I wanted to create a unique environment where students can work together. Furthermore, I like to challenge myself to see how far I can take. By comparing Planning 10 to ICT9 class, I prefer Planning 10 because it teaches me more about my patience, determination and self-making decision. For the last two days, there were a group of ESL students who mostly seek for my help instead of asking for teacher’s help. Seeing these continuing actions, they have grown closer to me. In addition, this fully enriched my experience because since many students ask for my aid, I can concentrate, learn and improve myself on how to help them J and, it can make my life special and interesting! Overall, this is an example of strong adequate of peer tutor who tries so hard in order to make their students become achievable in the future. I am sure the teacher is thinking the same way.

__ Entry 5-March 30, 2012 __

This week, I feel more confident in helping out with ESL students in Planning 10 class. I learned from my mistakes when my teachers pointed out. The assignments I helped out were to correct students’ resume and cover letter. From there, I implemented my skills on how to write resume and cover letter better. It will be beneficial for my future because that way, I will know what and how to prepare for job in advance. It is also a big deal for my life because since I took Planning 10 online course, I never had face to face with teacher on how to improve the resume and cover letter. Besides, I never thought of asking for teacher’s help. So while I am seizing my opportunity, I started to remember deeply by learning from common mistakes that students occasionally make.

On the other hand, I feel confident when I help students with Photoshop and word document in ICT 9 class since I am expert at using the computers. Despite of capable of using the computer well, the teachers can still teach me something new I never knew before. This is a great opportunity because the teacher actually taught students on different functions could be used in Word Document software. I never thought you could actually use World Document to play around and then transfer to Photoshop or Illustrator.

Overall, I think my strength is to receive and absorb any lessons from Planning 10 or ICT 9, and try to absorb and to prepare advance for my future.

__ Entry 6-April 13, 2012 __

So many things have happened these past two weeks. To start with, there was a student who actually emailed me asking me to correct her cover letter! :O Wow, I didn’t expect something like this! I guess I can tell my progress is improving!! J The day after that, I continued my routine to help the students. One thing I would like to say was that in ICT 9, I helped the teacher to mark students’ projects, and I think I got better at marking and knowing students’ names at the same time. After marking students' project, I strolled around the room and I actually felt confident in asking questions despite the shyness(ICT 9). They welcomed me, talked with me and at that moment, I was very pleased. Although some students may looked at me like a stranger, but I didn’t really care. At first, I thought it was scary to talk with them because they might act mean or purposely ignore me. But, apparently, it’s nottt!! :D During the second week, I was sick. L I guess this is a bad timing because ever since I got a severe sore throat, I wasn’t able to help the students well. I let teachers down. I couldn’t hear well because my ears were stuffed. But, I still try to contribute by walking around the room, looking at student’s projects. It is just I won’t be able to talk or ask questions with students a lot. I wish I could get better already so I have the motivation to help theeemm!!! J

__Entry 7-April 27, 2012__

My cold was better and I continued my routine. During the first week, I continued to help the students with translation and assignment. By helping them make me feel happy and content. I continue to walk around the classroom. I tried to help with the best of my capabilities. I was given to mark student’s projects; it was easy and fun! :D When I have questions, I ask the teachers. All in all, I did not feel shy. I felt confident about everything. Sometimes when I am not busy, I would sit there and listen.

__Entry 8-May 11, 2012__

Sometimes I rely on my personal experiences and goals while helping out the students in the classroom. For example, for the past two weeks, I focused on helping the students from ICT 9. There are two students who are 3 projects behind. So that is basically my job, trying to keep them work faster and get to know how to use the software efficiently. The main software the students have to be familiar with is Flash and Garage band. For example, there are many students who are not good at Flash; they tend to panic and anxious when the teacher speeds up the lesson. In fact, I panicked too because it was difficult to listen while talking and helping the students at the same time. That is why I have to depend on my skills and experiences in order to help them. Furthermore, my ideals reflect in peer tutoring because not only the teachers taught new stuff in the class, but I tried to “push” student’s minds to think more creativity and logically. (Since the teacher does not have time to walk around and help the student individually.)

__ Entry 9-May 25, 2012 __

I taught one student how to do Flash software. The reason I taught one student was because he was very behind in the class. Sometimes, he couldn’t understand what teacher instructed in the class. It was difficult to communicate with him; however, I tried my best to help him. For Flash, I tried to teach the student how to do classic, shape and motion tweens. I also tried to explain and tell the student what the project is about. To learn how to use a Flash is not simple, because it is actually a quite complicated process; there are many steps and ways in order to make the pictures look alive and interesting. There is one thing I really hope for is to persuade the student to catch up his works. It is difficult to decide whether to pressure him or not because there is a possibility that he doesn’t like the way I teach him. I know this requires training and experiences. Last time, when I tried to tell him that the project was already due 3 weeks ago, he comprehended and tried to get his work done. However, it seemed like his mind was not into it. He looked uninterested. As a result, he often glanced at his watch, waiting for the bell to ring. I wish I had enough courage and experiences so that I can try to motivate him, to inspire him and also to encourage him. In general, he is a patient, reliable and easy-to-get-along person. My goal for next time is after he tries to finish his project, I will reward him if I can. J

__ Final Entry- June 8, 2012 __

I’m finally graduating!! I can’t believe the semester is coming to end! It is exciting but sad at the same time because I will miss my high school very much. To say the truth, I have learned a lot from Peer Tutoring classes, especially from the teachers. I realized this training and experiences are beneficial for me in preparing advance for my university. I remember the first time when I peer tutoring in two classes, I was nervous and timid. It was difficult for me to interact with students and make friends with them. However, by improving my leadership skills and confidence, I have conquered my fears. I love how I answered students’ questions correctly. It made me proud because I could get them to trust me more, and try to depend on me more. And, it totally works! Another fond of memory I remember is when few ESL students from Planning 10 class wanted to add me as a friend on fb. Furthermore, there was one student from Planning 10 class requested me to correct her resume homework over the weekend. I was surprised, but at the same time, I was moved. Seeing them in the class, I tried to be optimistic, helpful and benevolent. And I can see majority of students totally respect me that. To be a good peer tutor, I learned how to be a determined, clever, patient and generous person regardless of struggles and tough questions. Although there are some times where I am stuck in answering students’ questions, I tried to depend on my ability to help them. It is difficult; however, I do not like when I ask for teacher’s help too much. There are some moments that are challenging like persuading ESL student to complete his digital media project. He is still falling behind in the class currently, but my teacher told me, “Oh well, let him be.” But, to me, I don’t think it’s okay. I will try to come next week and tell him firmly one last time. (I reminded him many times before, but he seemed careless everytime :/) That was a perfect example for I am trying to encounter a demanding situation. I hope that in the future, when any students or people are seeking for my help, I hope I can be in use for them since I’ve acquired some skills, attitude, responses and knowledge.

All in all, I am proud who I am, the newer me, always hoping for better opportunity and outlook in my life! GRAD 2012

PS- I will try to upload some pictures and Flash videos students have done in ICT9. Hope you forgive me today. I was too busy and couldn't manage with time in taking pictures. But for sure, I will post some pictures here by next Monday. Thanks for understanding. :)

media type="file" key="babcock-animation Hello, this is a student's work in ICT 9 class. He did a very nice well done! :)