3/6 Tamar

For me, the biggest challenge with asynchronous tutoring is establishing rapport and my own tone/voice.  I find the nature of my feedback varies depending on who the writer is/my relationship with this person.  So, when I was at a conference last week, I did two of my weekly regular grad enrollment appts online (I've been working with both of these writers in person --one for 2 semesters, and the other just this semester.) Because I know these individuals and their work (as well as what we've discussed related to their writing in the past), I found it easy to tutor online, make suggestions, and give comments.
However, if I do not know the person, I find that my tone is somewhat generic, and my feedback is more conservative (this has been the case in the past).  I think this is partly due to not having already established face to face rapport with the writer.

I do see the benefits of online tutoring (many of which were mentioned in our readings this week).  Obviously time/convenience is one advantage.  I also enjoy using track changes and the comments function so that students can go back and forth between my marked up version and their own to compare and then make a decision on their own (w/out my necessarily ever knowing) regarding how much of my advice they want to take.  This is easier in terms of 'saving face', as well as giving writers more time to think/process feedback.



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