In a postmodern tutorial the student immediately becomes a critical and pro-active element in the process. This is a response to the premise outlined by Dewey that 'every education finds its origin and its essence in the condition of human experience and the manner in which the educator can draw out that experience'. The generation of full participation is important. Students enter education with their own desires and agendas already formed. It is the task of education to challenge them.
Students learn from each other empirically that there are different ways of looking at things.
This is more effective than just being told. This is further enhanced by the heterogeneity of the group. Mature aged students, students from disadvantaged backgrounds and students from a variety of ethnic backgrounds are all important factors in the effectiveness of learning from the rest of the group. This caters for visual rather than oral learners. Board usage also generates energy for both teacher and learner.