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By Jocelyn Davidson


A variety of models for learning are used by teachers to instruct students so that they are able to comprehend content. Pairing students in such that one is able to teach the other is one of them. Peer tutoring strategies come in a variety and flexibility to consider students of all learning abilities.

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.

It is easy to confuse peer tutoring with other learning models. To be clear, it is not the normal instructional class where adults teach students. It is also not the cooperative model where students are organized into groups and hold discussions. This is a class where the student is the teacher of one or a few more students. It is a unique model encompassing several others which may differ in the way students are paired, the instructional content and comprehensiveness.

CWPT also known as Class Wide Peer tutoring involves the division of the class into small groups of two to five students. Some of them can act as tutees, others tutors and can also take both roles at different times. Cross age pairing is where older students are paired with younger students. The objective here is a bit different since the older students here do not have much to learn from the younger students academically. However, the students learn so much from the older students.

Same age pairing involves pairing of students who are of the same age. In this case, they are able to teach one another with one giving and the other receiving at any one time. Similar or dissimilar abilities may be matched. Different abilities ensure those with stronger skills are able to give first responses and therefore the weaker students are able to emulate them.

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.

For a successful tutoring strategy, the course content has to be developed in such a way as to favor this type of learning. The students should be first coached on how to be ideal tutors and also pairing partners. Feedback should also be catered for by the course instructional materials. The content should also allow for monitoring by the class teacher and the reversal of roles between the tutor and tutees.

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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