Alec Booker

My tutoring isn't about generic lectures; it's a 1-on-1 partnership designed to fit your unique learning style, especially if you have a learning difference or disability.

1. The Process: Custom-Built for You
The whole process revolves around creating and executing your Individualised Learning Plan (ILP):

Initial Discovery Session: We start by discussing your current academic challenges, strengths, and specific goals (e.g., passing a tricky module, mastering a specific concept in Biochemistry). This is also where we identify any necessary academic adjustments.

The ILP Blueprint: I use my experience as an Award-Winning Academic Support Worker to design a custom ILP. This is a clear, step-by-step roadmap that outlines the content we'll cover, the teaching strategies we'll use, and the measurable academic targets we're aiming for.

Flexible 1-on-1 Sessions: All sessions are conducted online, ensuring flexibility around your university schedule. We move at your pace, focusing on active engagement rather than passive listening.

Progress Tracking & Review: We regularly review your progress against the ILP goals and tweak the plan as needed. The goal is continuous improvement and genuine skill development.

2. Teaching Methods: Strategic & Targeted
My approach is highly practical and rooted in making complex Human Biology, Biochemistry, and Psychology concepts accessible and manageable:

Learning Strategy Development: I focus heavily on how you learn, not just what you learn. This includes developing effective revision techniques, time management strategies, and methods for breaking down large assignments.

Multi-Sensory Techniques: Drawing on best practices for students with learning differences, I use a variety of visual aids, conceptual diagrams, case studies, and practical examples to solidify your understanding.

Conceptual Mapping & Active Recall: We use techniques like mind-mapping and spaced repetition to help you build strong conceptual links and retrieve information efficiently under exam pressure.

Disability-Specific Support: My specialisation means I integrate specific strategies tailored to your needs, whether that involves adapting materials for better accessibility, using assistive technologies, or developing structured approaches to note-taking and essay writing.

The result? You don't just understand the material; you gain a sustainable set of academic skills that will benefit your entire learning journey and beyond.

?? Example: Tackling Essay Writing (Focus: Dyslexia & Critical Analysis)
Student Goal: A first-year student with Dyslexia found writing complex, evidence-based essays in Psychology overwhelming, struggling with structuring arguments and integrating sources smoothly.

ILP Focus: Establishing a robust, step-by-step pre-writing and drafting framework to minimise frustration and maximise clarity.

Method Used: We didn't start with writing; we started with planning. I helped the student develop a simple, fill-in-the-blanks "Essay Blueprint" template. This template focuses them to clearly identify their main argument, key supporting points, and source quotes before drafting any prose. We then focus on developing strong topic sentences and using accessible text-to-speech software for effective proofreading, helping them hear errors they might miss visually.

Result: The student learned to separate the processes of research, planning, and writing, leading to better-structured essays and a growing confidence in tackling university-level critical analysis.

These examples show how I combine subject expertise (Biomedical Sciences) with my training in academic support for learning difficulties to achieve tangible results.