Peer Tutoring
Effect Size: (0.55)
5 Truths of Peer Tutoring
Peer Tutoring Truth #1: Peer tutors must be matched intentionally so that it can be mutually beneficial.
- Students are paired based off common ground, i.e. proficiency, ethnicity, or socioeconomic.
- Intentional pairing builds relationships.
- Both students have something to offer each other.
Peer Tutoring Truth #2: Peer tutoring is for practice, not for teaching new skills or concepts.
- Teacher is the expert on teaching the skills.
- Practicing the skills taught is the goal of peer tutoring.
Peer Tutoring Truth #3: Peer tutoring only works if the tutors are trained in advance and teachers model tutoring skills.
- Not all students have the innate skills to be tutors.
- Students need explicit instruction in what it means to be "an effective tutor."
- Training needs to be relevant to the learning goals.
Training Tutors (7th grade math teacher example)
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- Teacher must clearly establish expectations with tutors prior to beginning peer tutoring
- Be calm, patient, and understanding
- Provide positive feedback (teacher demonstrates how)
- Do not give them the answer (teacher demonstrate how to ask questions to steer in the right direction)
- Keep the group on task
- Only the tutor can ask teacher questions.
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Peer Tutoring Truth #4: Peer tutoring is more effective when the students are in control.
- When in control, students "practice making decisions, identifying and meeting needs, or expressing the need for help."
- Teacher serves as facilitator.
Peer Tutoring Truth #5: In addition to facilitating, the teacher needs to monitor and assess tutoring.
- During peer tutoring, teachers should be circling the room and checking in with pairs.
- Teachers should also build in regular formative assessment that makes sense to the program.
Peer Tutoring Truth #6: The tutors do not need to be inside the classroom.
- This is where blended learning tutoring changes the game.
- Technologies such as Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangout, Flipgrid can allow teachers to forge partnerships anywhere.
EdTech Tools for Using Peer Tutoring in the Classroom
*****As with all communication tools, please monitor your students' use of these tools, and be aware with whom they're communicating, and set clear expectations to keep your students safe.*****
Zoom
Microsoft Teams Meeting