Monday 13 October 2014

The Functional Of Peer Tutoring Strategies

By Jocelyn Davidson


Several learning models exist which teachers use to ensure that their students understand and grasp academic content. One of them is pairing students where one of them teaches the other student. There are different peer tutoring strategies which all aim to accommodate needs of students.

The concept of peer tutoring is not new. In the recent past however, it has become more popular among many students and teachers across the globe. At the beginning, its main focus was acquiring reading skills but has now expanded for use in science, writing, social studies and spelling. Tutors have to comprehend the content before they can play that role. On the other hand, reversing of roles between the tutor and tutee ensures that both students learn.

Peer tutoring does not involve adults teaching students, the students have to teach one another. In addition, it is not a cooperative model of learning where students learn in groups. There are many learning models encompassed in this particular model. Different models differ in the mode of pairing of students, development of academic content and how comprehensive tutoring is. Regardless, its main objective is to increase motivation, achievement and practice for students.

The model where the entire class is divided into smaller groups of two to five students is known as Class Wide Peer Tutoring. From each group, some students assume the role of tutor, others tutees and for others both roles at least at different times. Pairing can be achieved using different criteria. Older students may be paired with younger students a system known as cross age pairing. The older students may not have anything to learn from the younger students academically but may have inspiration from social responsibility.

In cases where students of the same age are paired, they are able to teach each other. Each of them receives and gives something. Pairs may have similar matching abilities or different abilities. When students with different abilities are paired, those with stronger skills give first responses and therefore being a model to the weaker students.

Matching in terms of equal abilities, the students have the chance to switch between tutor and tutee roles. In this way, it is possible for both gain expertise in the select area of study. Matching can be done by first ranking students in accordance to their ability. This list is then applied in pairing students. Personality differences, learning needs and also preferences may also be considered to increase diversity of the pair.

The instructional material has to be first developed for the this tutoring strategy to work. It begins by first teaching the learners how to tutor and how to be ideal pairing partners. It is also important that the instructional material is accommodative of the tutor and tutee feedback. In addition, the ability to switch roles between the students should be allowed and the class teacher able to monitor.

As a result of this model of tutoring, student class engagement has indicated positive trend and also their attitude towards school improved. In contrast to the teacher centered approach, this particular tutoring has increased the opportunity for the learners to respond. In addition, classrooms with learning challenges such as disabilities have benefited.




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