Bold School: Blended Learning That Works » Peer Tutoring

Peer Tutoring

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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)

      • 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.
 
 
 

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