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Tutors are expected to provide quality learning support during tutorials and online sessions.  This requires you to possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills as well as mastery of your subject content. These skills will help to make learning pleasant and reduce learner anxiety.  Your mastery of the subject content will ensure that learners understand it better.

In relation to this, there are two main roles you need to perform (see Figure 2.1).

Figure 2.1:  Roles of an OUM tutor

In order to provide quality support to your learners, you need to understand the expectations of OUM learners. You must strive to meet their expectations, be responsible and accountable within the context of the University’s blended learning pedagogy.  This means you need to carry out each of your tasks in the way outlined by OUM.

As a tutor, you are expected to perform the following roles:

• Pedagogical

Guiding learners learning with a focus on concepts, principles, and skills.

• Managerial

Handling organizational, procedural, and administrative tasks (where applicable).

• Technical

Assisting learners to become comfortable with the technologies used to deliver the course.

• Social

Creating a welcoming online community in which learning is promoted.

It seems like you've outlined a comprehensive set of expectations that learners have for their tutors. Meeting these expectations can contribute significantly to a positive learning experience. Here's a breakdown of the key points:

1. Communication Skills:

• Use Simple language and speak clearly

2. Experience and Knowledge:

• Be experienced and knowledgeable in the subject taught

3. Active Participation in Online Discussion:

• Take the lead and be active in the online discussion forum

4. Timely Guidance and Response:

• Provide timely guidance and response to learners, especially on assignment preparation

5. Discussion of Exam Questions:

• Allocate time to discuss exam questions with learners

6. Additional Learning Materials:

• Provide additional and appropriate learning materials

7. Punctuality and Scheduling:

• Conduct tutorials on time and as scheduled

8. Sense of Humor:

• Have a sense of humor

9. Friendliness and Approachability:

• Be friendly and approachable

10. Motivation and Encouragement:

• Always be motivated and provide an encouraging learning environment

11. Relevance and Clarity in Examples:

• Provide examples that are relevant and easy to understand

12. Accessibility:

• Be easily contactable via telephone and email

By consistently addressing these points, tutors can create a positive and effective learning environment, fostering engagement and understanding among learners. Regular feedback and communication channels can also help in understanding evolving needs and making necessary adjustments to teaching methods.