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 TutoringPrograms:

• 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 CollegeAcademic 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 SkillsSession 7: The Tutor-Tutee RelationshipSession 8: Resources for TutorsSession 9: Multiple Intelligences and TutoringSession 10: Group and Individual TutoringSession 11: Reading Difficulties: DyslexiaSession 12: Empathy and TutoringSession 13: AssertivenessSession 14: Memory StrategiesSession 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 52641pvanloon@iwc.edu(319) 385-6376