About Peer Tutoring

Peer tutoring is a beneficial way for students to learn from each other in the classroom. While one student may excel in math, another student may be top-notch in English. These two students can work together to help each other understand difficult concepts, while deepening their own knowledge of the subject.

The Facts

Peer tutoring is a method by which a student, with direction and guidance from the teacher, teaches a skill or concept to another student. This type of tutoring can help students who have equal, but different expertise. This method is most beneficial when every person involved experiences the role of tutor. Most studies have found the tutor receives the most gains from this program because they reformulate the information in terms the student will understand.

Misconceptions

There is a mindset by some that the best teaching still comes from the teacher. Students learn in many different ways; while some may learn best from the teacher, this is not the case with all students. Other hindrances facing peer tutoring is resistance from parents and school officials. Some feel the teacher is giving up classroom control or not doing the job they were hired to do by allowing peer tutoring. Some believe peer tutoring creates too much noise in the classroom. While peer tutoring does require student interaction, with careful monitoring and set guidelines, the noise levels should be kept to a minimum. Remember students are not screaming and yelling, they are explaining a subject or concept in a normal tone of voice.

Benefits

Both students can benefit in peer tutoring. The tutor can develop social skills and a sense of responsibility. To truly teach a subject, the tutor must possess a deep understanding of the subject. Tutoring can help extend a tutor's own knowledge. While the student learns the academic skill they were lacking and develop more interpersonal skills. This type of tutoring is successful because students teach other students how they understand the skill or concept. They speak a similar language and convey the information in a manner each understands.

Type

Peer tutoring can take several different forms. Cross-aged peer tutoring matches a student a few years older with a younger student who is struggling in a particular area. The older student has mastered the skill, and teaches the concept to the younger students while acting as a mentor. The other type of peer tutoring involves a traditional method of pairing two students together in the same classroom. While one student may be strong in math, the other may excel in English, but both can use their talents to help each other.

Expert Insight

Peer tutoring can be extremely beneficial to students who are struggling in the classroom. Often students feel more comfortable working directly with other students rather than the teacher. However, teachers must give the tutors very explicit directions and guidance in order to maintain classroom control. Careful monitoring is essential to ensure the quality of the tutoring and on task activities.