Characteristics of Effective Peer Tutoring Programs

College Reading and Learning AssociationAnnual Conference

Richmond, VAOctober 2009

Dr. Preston VanLoon, Iowa Wesleyan CollegeAssociate Professor, Education

Academic Resource Center Director

Quotes Related to Tutoring

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” …Aristotle

“Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance.” …Samuel Johnson

“To the world you may only be one, but to one, you may be the world.” …anonymous

Activity:

What are some expectations you would have for a peer tutoring program if you were a:

student (tutee)?potential tutor?Instructor/professor?an institution?

“10 Characteristics of Effective Peer Tutoring Programs”

1. Have structured tutor training. (Brandwine & DiVittis, 1985; Santee, 2006; Garcia-Vazquez,

E., & Ehly, S., 1995)

2. Supervise and monitor tutors. (Brewster, 2007; Garcia-Vazquez, E., & Ehly, S., 1995)

3. Give credit for training. (Brewster, 2007)

4. Have advanced, developmental training for tutors.

(Johansen et. al., 1992)

5. Provide supplemental activities to the regular classroom instruction.

(Garcia-Vazquez, E., & Ehly, S., 1995; Lidren, et. al., 1991)

6. Select tutors with faculty involvement based on academic abilities and motivation. (Brewster, 2007, Santee, 2006)

7. Compensation for tutors. (Oesterreich, 2000; Santee, 2006)

8. Use research based strategies. (Garcia-Vazquez, E., & Ehly, S., 1995)

9. Monitor the effectiveness of the

tutoring (i.e. assessment). (Garcia-Vazquez, E., & Ehly, S., 1995)

10. Are student-centered where students:• 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)

Some 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)

Activity:

“What are some ways that each of the above characteristics of effective peer tutoring programs be accomplished?”

Peer Tutoring Program

Iowa Wesleyan CollegeAcademic Resource Center

Certified by the CRLA at three levels:Regular, Advanced, Master

Personnel:• Two staff

1 full-time Associate

1 part-time Writing Specialist

• $10,300 Tutor Budget• 15 Peer Tutors• Work 3-6 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 the required tutoring courses• Be a caring and empathetic person

(Zaritsky, 1994)

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

Tutors are recruited through:•Referrals from Professors•Advertising •Financial Aid Office•Other Tutors•Word of Mouth•Other

Types of Tutoring done by tutors:1. One-on-one2. Small group3. Review sessions4. Supplemental Instruction5. Assisting professor in the

classroom

Tutor Benefits at IWC:• Hourly Salary• Tuition Free Tutoring Courses• Bookstore Discounts• Academic Credit• International Certification• Resume• Future Job References• Parties

Questions ?Contact Information:

Dr. Preston VanLoonAssociate Professor, EducationAcademic Resource Center DirectorIowa Wesleyan College601 N. Main StreetMt. Pleasant, Iowa 52641pvanloon@iwc.edu(319) 385-6376

Thank You!