Structural Peer Tutoring

Prepared by:Errol S. MirandaII-Physci

Peer Tutoring

Peer tutoring is the process between two or more students in a group where one of the students acts as a tutor for the other group-mate(s). Peer tutoring can be applied among students of the same age or students belonging to different age groups. Encouragement of peer tutoring is a useful strategy that can be applied effectively by teachers in many cases in both monograde and multigrade schools.

Structural Peer TutoringAssistance of trained tutors is required in following instructions or definite procedures that are provided in models and guides.

Structural Peer TutoringStructured peer tutoring refers to peer tutoring implemented in specific cases and for specific subjects, following a well-structured plan prepared by the teacher. Structured peer tutoring is spontaneously used by experienced teachers who are able to plan well in advance and are familiar on how to combine tutors and tutees appropriately in order to have good results.

Advantage1. Tutees receive individualized instruction, as through their own

teacher. Immediately, errors are corrected and rewards for good performance is awarded.

2. Careful selection of tutors afford better interactions that facilitate learning since they are older, skilled and knowledgeable.

3. Interests, tastes and nonverbal cues are easily ascertained by tutors, then, monitoring is more enjoyable and fulfilling.

4. Values of cooperation, respect for one another and reciprocal attitudes are inculcated.

5. Working in smaller groups with monitors around minimizes discipline problems or indifference to get actively involved.

6. Since tutors are ready to share assistance, they are afforded the motivation to move themselves in intellectual and social traits.

7. Since tutors are a little order and better equipped, tutees feel more secure in their presence be it in a social or academic setting.

Disadvantage

1. If left to themselves “over tutoring” might create a negative situation instead.

2. Unclear roles can lead to questions on credibility of tutors.

3. Favouritism in choice of tutors must be avoided. This could result in over-domineering and all-knowing reactions of others.

Steps

1. Select the lesson that you consider convenient for you to implement peer tutoring2. Make any necessary rearrangements of your time schedule in order to be able to proceed with the activity in the selected subject3. Set up mixed age groups of students for the subject you want to teachFor developing the mixed age groups follow the guidelines and the procedure that was presented at the “Mixed Ability Grouping” module. It is preferable for you to proceed with the selection of the groups before the lesson in order to save time and focus on the implementation of peer tutoring.

5. Develop special modules and worksheets for students if necessary. You can summarize some advice for the tutors in a piece of paper and give it to them. According to the activity you can provide with different resources and modules tutors and tutees

6. Describe in general the way you decided to work and the philosophy of the activities you designed.

7. For each lesson fill in the “lesson plan & evaluation” form that follows. Try to be clear and give adequate information on the lesson. It is preferable to fill the form electronically using your computer and send it back to your national training supervisor via e-mail.Respect the format of it, it will be used for evaluation purposes Try to share details and present aspects of the lesson that are related with peer tutoring in your class.

Tips on peer tutoringGood Planning Successful introduction of peer tutoring in class requires detailed planning, careful monitoring and continuous provision of support to the young tutors. Research evidence indicate that good and detailed planning contributes the most for the benefit of the students while enhancing tutors’ self esteem and creating a good creative climate in the classCareful selection of tutorsOne of the most sensitive parameters for successful peer tutoring is the selection of the best tutors among the members of the group. Age and academic performance are two of the criteria used for selecting students. Engage older and good students of a group as tutors and capitalize on their cognitive and intellectual maturity on tutoring others. Important parameters on tutor selection are the sociability and personality of the potential tutors as well.

Detailed design of tutoring activitiesDesign activities that will allow peer tutors to actually support their tutees. Based on your personal judgement choose different tutors on different subjects or activities. Select tutors that you think they could manage with the tutoring group activity best. Give them in detail instructions on how to perform the activities and how to handle their tutees. Prepare material if necessary that will help the children to manage with the activity. Try to utilise the resources that your multi-grade class has to design multidimensional activities that will benefit both young tutors and their tutees.  Ongoing supervision and support for tutorsIt is very crucial not to leave the young peer tutors completely on their own to deal with their teammates. You should share your teaching time among the groups according to the lesson needs and try to guide the tutors on their work. Give them advice on how to manage tutees and try to prevent any misbehaviour phenomena by supervising the young tutors.

Utilise school resources and ICT infrastructureTry to involve students in open activities utilising the school resources such as books and tools, laboratory equipment and ICT infrastructure. Design activities that are going to require different levels of involvement by the students. Such activities will allow for the student tutors to learn as well by engaging themselves in more complex tasks of the overall activities. Computers, educational software and Internet allows for open ended cross curricula activities targeted for everyone.  Keep record of the students’ activitiesTry to record the activities of each student group and the overall progress of the teams. In addition try to record any distinctive characteristics of effective or ineffective tutoring behaviour. This will help you understand better the ways that children cooperate together and will provide you input on how to support better peer tutoring in you class.

Discuss with peer tutors Initiate a discussion with young tutors before and after the lesson. Before the activities you should encourage them on their tasks and remark the importance of their work for their teammates. Give them advice on proper behaviour to handle their tutees and try to show them verbally examples on how to instruct others. After the lesson discuss again with your tutors and try to record any positive or negative aspects of the procedure. Encourage your tutors again by thanking them for their work and try inspiring them for continuing tutoring activities at the future.  Discuss with tuteesYou should talk with young tutees before and after the lesson as well. They to set away any possible fears they might have with working with other children. Explain them that they are going to assist by friends and of course ask their opinion on the lesson afterwards. Record their input and try to take it into account next time.

Sample lesson•Encourage the student to identify the learning task that will be the focus of the session. Students will have more buy-in if the session is self-directed.

•Identify information sources (other than the tutor) such as a textbook, solution manuals, Internet, etc. Encourage the student to find and use these resources so they can access them when the tutor is not available