Student and Institutional Benefits of Effective Peer Tutoring
Programs
Dr. Preston VanLoonIowa Wesleyan College
MRADE ConferenceSeptember 2009
“To teach is to learn twice.”
…Joseph Joubert
Definition of a Tutor
What is a tutor?
A Definition of a Peer Tutor:
“A one to one or small group teaching experience where one person who is knowledgeable and has expertise in a specific content area or discipline provides tutelage, help, or clarification to another who does not.” (Gier, 1994)
Theoretical Background:
1. Constructivism
2. Vygotsky
3. Meta-cognition
Tutors
What are some of the benefits tutors receive from their tutoring?
Tutor Academic Gains
• Improved academic self-concept. (Astin, 1993)
• Tutors obtain a greater mastery of course content. (Johnson, Sulzer-Azaroff, & Mass, 1977; Mc
Keachie, Pintrich, Lin, & Smith, 1986)
• Greater conceptual understanding of the concepts they teach to other college students.
(Bargh & Schul, 1980; Benware & Deci, 1984)
• Significant gains in learning as a result of their collaborative interaction. (Whitman, 1988)
Tutor Personal Benefits
• Improved interpersonal skills
• Improved communication skills
• Flexibility in scheduling
• Satisfaction of helping others
• Increased confidence
• Extra spending money
• Increase teambuilding skills
• Develop leadership skills
• Certification
(Johnson, Sulzer-Azaroff, & Mass, 1977; Mc Keachie, Pintrich, Lin, & Smith, 1986; Whitman, 1988; Bargh & Schul, 1980; Benware & Deci, 1984).
Tutees
Tutees
What are some of the benefits that tutees receive from their tutoring?
Tutee Academic Gains• Similar-age peers in a less threatening
environment. (Gross & McMullen, 1983)
• Similar amounts of prior experience with the
concept being learned and at a more proximal stage of cognitive development. (Vygotsky, 1978)
• Development of higher-level thinking skills.
(Kurfiss, 1988)
Tutee Personal Benefits
• Feel more at ease, and concentrate better on the subject matter, with a peer tutor rather than a professional teacher or consultant.
• Develop friendship from the students that tutor them.
• Receive individualized instruction
• Receive more teaching
Tutee Personal Benefits continued:
• Respond better to their peers.
• Academic achievement.
• Increased self esteem.
• Greater academic motivation.
• Become self directed/independent learners.
(Sheets, 1994)
Institutions
Institutions
What are some of the benefits that higher education institutions receive from peer tutoring programs?
Institutions
• Retention of underrepresented and disadvantaged students with underdeveloped basic-academic skills (National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council, 1977).
• Peer tutoring is a cost-effective support strategy. (Levin, Glass and Meiser, 1984)
Characteristics of Effective Tutoring
Programs:
• Highly structured training. (Brandwine &
DiVittis, 1985; Santee, 2006)
• Supervision and monitoring of tutors. (Brewster, 2007)
• Course credit and grade. (Brewster, 2007)
Characteristics continued
• Supplemental activities to the regular classroom instruction. (Lidren, et. al., 1991)
• Tutors selected with faculty involvement based on academic abilities and motivation. (Brewster, 2007, Santee, 2006)
• Compensation (Santee, 2006; Oesterreich, 2000)
• Advanced training for tutors. (Johansen et. al., 1992)
Student Centered Peer Tutoring Programs…
• Take more responsibility for their education.
• Engage in self and peer assessment.
• Evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses.
• Become aware of their personal and
academic development while at college. (Saunders, 1992)
Learning Benefits of Peer Tutoring• A reduced pupil-teacher ratio that results in
quicker feedback and prompting.
• More active learning with greater student ownership of the learning process.
• Better application of knowledge and skills to new situations.
• Greater self-disclosure and opportunities to respond may also result in less anxiety and fear of making errors.
(Brewster, 2007; Greenwood, Carta, and Kamps,1990)
A Developmental
Research Based Peer Tutoring Program:
Iowa Wesleyan College
Academic Resource Center
Peer Tutoring Program
Personnel:
• Two staff
1 full-time associate
1 part-time writing specialist
• $11, 000 Peer Tutor Budget
• 16 Peer Tutors
• Work 3-4 hours per week
• By drop-in or appointment
Requirements to be a Peer Tutor:
• Recommendation of Professor to tutor in content area
• Grades of A or B in content area of tutoring
• Interview with ARC director
• Take two required tutoring courses
• Be a caring and empathetic person
Tutors are recruited through:• Referrals from Professors
• Advertising
• Financial Aid Office
• Other Tutors
• Word of Mouth
• Other Sources
Peer Tutoring Courses:
• EDUC 200: Introduction to Peer Tutoring
(1 credit)
• EDUC 201: Advanced Peer Tutoring
(1 credit)
Level One Training:EDUC 200: Introduction to Peer TutoringSession 1: Definition of Tutoring, Tutor Roles and ResponsibilitiesSession 2: Steps of the Tutoring CycleSession 3: CommunicationSession 4: Ethics and TutoringSession 5: Do’s and Don’ts of TutoringSession 6: Planning Session 7: Critical Thinking Session 8: Problem SolvingSession 9: Study SkillsSession 10: Note-Taking
Level Two Training (EDUC 200 continued):Session 11: Reading College TextbooksSession 12: Objective Test Taking StrategiesSession 13: Writing Session 14: Referrals Session 15: Documentation
EDUC 201: Advanced Peer TutoringSession 1: Learning Styles and Learning DifferencesSession 2: Cultural AwarenessSession 3: Content Area TutoringSession 4: Tutoring Techniques: Probing QuestionsSession 5: Preparing for Exams and Test Anxiety
Level Three Training (EDUC 201 cont.)
Session 6: Time Management Skills
Session 7: The Tutor-Tutee Relationship
Session 8: Resources for Tutors
Session 9: Multiple Intelligences and Tutoring
Session 10: Group and Individual Tutoring
Session 11: Reading Difficulties: Dyslexia
Session 12: Empathy and Tutoring
Session 13: Assertiveness
Session 14: Memory Strategies
Session 15: Professionalism
Texts:
• The College Reading and Learning Association’s Tutor Training Handbook, Revised Edition (2003).
• The Master Tutor: A Guidebook for More Effective Tutoring, 2nd Edition, The Cambridge Stratford Study Skills Institute
Types of Tutoring done by tutors:
1. One-on-one
2. Small group
3. Review sessions
4. Supplemental Instruction
5. Assisting professor in the classroom
Tutor Benefits at IWC:
• Hourly Salary
• Tuition Free Tutoring Courses
• Bookstore Discounts
• Academic Credit
• International Certification (CRLA)
• Resume
• Future Job References
• Pizza Parties
Questions ?
Contact Information:
Dr. Preston VanLoon, Associate ProfessorIowa Wesleyan College601 N. Main StreetMt. Pleasant, Iowa [email protected](319) 385-6376
