Monday, April 20, 2009

The TUTOR's Code of Conduct

Plugging in...

Being a “Good” Tutor

What does it take to earn that distinction? The Tutor attempts to uphold a certain code of professional conduct once a potential client has made contact. These are some of the things you can expect from the Tutor.

ONE
Return all phone calls, if humanly possible, the same day the call is received. There will be some circumstances that prevent the same-day service, but the return call will come.

TWO
Schedule an appointment for an exact time and be punctual. No window appointments like between 8:00am and 12:00pm – the Tutor respects your time and your busy schedule.

THREE
Speak in non-technical terms when conversing with a client. The Tutor will also speak to any technical support person on behalf of the client, then “translate” into understandable terms.

FOUR
Answer or research and find an answer to all client questions. The Tutor doesn’t know everything, but can usually find an answer much quicker than a client can.

FIVE
Display consistent patience and courteousness for all client questions and concerns. This is THE golden rule.

SIX
Be honest about the time/money involved in solving a problem. If it doesn’t make sense time-wise or economically, you’ll know right away.

SEVEN
Recommend appropriate hardware and software for purchase. The Tutor will either purchase for you or with you, ensuring the right fit for the job and the budget.

ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?

Unplugged

Being a “Good” Tutor Client

Plugging in...

What does it take to earn that distinction? (It’s an easy achievement, one the Tutor LOVES to hand out, too).

ONE
Be as descriptive as possible when you make a distress call/email and leave/write a message for the Tutor. If you’ve received an error message, write it down, in detail, and relay as much of it as you can in your message. The words and numbers in an error message ALL mean something, making the solution easier to find.

TWO
If you’ve made your SOS contact, and haven’t heard back from the TUTOR, AND you have resolved your problem, please call back and leave a message that you have resolved your problem.

THREE
ALWAYS, always leave a phone number or email address when you leave a message for the Tutor. The Tutor does not always have your myriad contact information handy when returning your call/email.

FOUR
If you’ve scheduled an appointment with the Tutor and need to re-schedule or cancel, please try to give at least a 24-hour notice. That notice is much appreciated by other Tutor clients who may be able to take advantage of the opening.

FIVE
When meeting with the Tutor, try to make a priority list of topics and concerns. This optimizes the time you spend with the Tutor.

SIX
Gather your hardware and software in one location before the Tutor arrives. This, too, optimizes the time you spend with the Tutor.

SEVEN
If you have new hardware to install, take it out of the boxes and packaging – you don’t really want to pay the Tutor to open boxes, do you? Oh. You do? OK, no problem.

ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, are you prepared with the details, and is it turned on?

Unplugged

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Top Ten Tutoring Questions

Plugging in...

Are you interested in knowing if your computing experiences are interesting, unique, or in the realm of the mundane? Read on as the Tutor lists the Top Ten questions asked about using technology:

Q 10. How is a person like me (layman) supposed to know THAT??
A 10. You aren't. It's not your field, otherwise you'd be a TUTOR too!

Q 9. What kind of computer (Phone, Printer, fill-in-the-blank) should I buy?
A 9. We'd be having a detailed discussion about wants, needs and budget.

Q 8. How will I remember all this?
A 8. You won't. Take notes, use the internet to research, call the TUTOR.

Q 7. What do YOU (the TUTOR) use?
A 7. Depends on the specific topic when the question was asked!

Q 6. Why do people create viruses?
A 6. For anonymous "jollies" because it's ILLEGAL if they're caught.

Q 5. How did you get started doing this?
A 5. NO grand plan or formal education. Visit efctutor.com for the details!

Q 4. There's a new laptop (fill-in-the-blank) out, should I buy it?
A 4. If it's not broken...

Q 3. HOW do you know so much and stay current regarding technology?
A 3. I read/research a lot; CLIENTS teach me the most with their questions.

Q 2. Where can I recycle my old computer (printer, camera, fill-in-the-blank)?
A 2. Your town or city; Staples, or check efctutor.com for more recycling options.

Q 1. How and why does this happen (question asked about ANY problem)?
A 1. More often than not, it is OPERATOR error. Sorry.

ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?

Unplugged