Why should I do it:
- Creates a safer and less embarrassing and intimidating setting and climate for students to ask questions, express misunderstandings, etc
- Allows students more opportunities for assistance
- Increases academic and behavioral support
- Provides frequent and constant redirection and refocusing
- Provides quicker feedback and attention
- Gives students one on one help and attention
- Helps students to get to know other students and make friends and trusted relationships
- Increases student trust and rapport
- Increases classroom teaching efficiency
- Helps to free up the teacher to instruct and help other students
When should I do it:
- When a student is inattentive and unfocused
- When a student needs frequent one on one help
- When a student needs directions repeated a lot and concepts reviewed multiple times and ways
- When a student is apprehensive to ask questions or for help
- When a student gets overwhelmed and frustrated
- When a student needs extra help starting assignments
- When a student asks frequent questions and needs frequent clarification
How do I do it:
- Peer tutoring may be done as a structured and routine procedure or on an as needed basis, depending on the students needs and peer tutors
- Peer tutors should be those students that are capable of working with others well and who grasp the concepts and ideas well enough to explain to others
- Peer tutors should be given some basic ground rules before being allowed to serve as peer tutors, like:
- Don’t do all the work for the student
- Keep the focus on the work/assignment
- Avoid arguments and debates
- Peer tutors should have the student they are helping repeat directions and questions back to clarify understanding
- Tutors should use active listening skills
- Avoid name calling and utilize positive remarks and praise
- Tutors should help model behaviors like listening, raising hand for help, asking questions for clarification from the teacher, etc
- Disengaging from students who refuse to focus on the work or become too confrontational
- Peer tutors may be assigned or chosen by students
- Peer tutors may rotate from one student to another or remain with one student for a longer period, for example a card marking
- Teachers should always ensure the peer tutors have grasped the concepts themselves before moving on to help others
- Peer tutors may be same age/grade or older
- Teachers can have peer tutoring daily, weekly, monthly, or as needed, etc
- Peer tutors may work with more than one student at a time, but should not work with larger groups
Resources & Support for technique:
