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It is true. Perhaps you’ve tried. I’ve been worn out trying to teach principles I know someone needs to learn…everyone can see they need them…but they seem to ignore them. They keep making the same mistakes. They never seem to catch on. They never seem to learn. It doesn’t even seem they want to. Many times it’s because they don’t.

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Level Up Your College Learning: the Benefits of Peer Tutoring

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Are you planning to attend college soon? If so, you don’t have to face it alone! Collaborating with a peer tutor can significantly improve your academic success. In this blog post, we will discuss the advantages of peer tutoring, such as better grades, deeper understanding of the subject, improved confidence, and enhanced study skills.

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The following identify difficult situations tutors may encounter and provide strategies for how to address these situations.

Blocking
Characterized by: How to Approach:

Determine what the student does know and discuss that; this shows the student that he/she has some understanding

Begin from what the student knows and build, in simple steps, toward increasingly complex material

Offer continual support

Reinforce success consistently

Confusion
Characterized by: How to Approach:

Utilize the above approaches to blocking

Give structure and order to the student's tutorial sessions, notes, etc.

Miracle-Seeking
Characterized by:

General interest or concern but with little specificity

Enthusiasm about being tutored but fairly passive in the tutoring session

High (often inappropriate) level of expectation

Evasion or inability to concentrate on concrete tasks

How to Approach:
Resisting
Characterized by:

Variations of sullenness/hostility/passivity/boredom

Disinterest in class/work/tutor

Defensive posture toward class/work/tutor

Quick to anger

How to Approach:

Allow a small amount of time for the student to vent

Spend the first session on building your relationship

Be pragmatic yet understanding

Establish your credibility/indicate past successes in similar situations

Passivity
Characterized by: How to Approach:

Empathize

Attempt to build a relationship and mobilize the student

Utilize as many mobilizing techniques as possible - questions, problems

Reinforce all activities and successes

Evasion
Characterized by: How to Approach: Source: Creighton EDGE/Creighton University

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Difficult Tutoring Situations | Clarkson College

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The following identify difficult situations tutors may encounter and provide strategies for how to address these situations.

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Peer Tutoring Definition, Models & Examples - Video | Study.com

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Learn all about peer tutoring. Understand what peer tutoring is, learn the different peer tutoring models, and see the pros and cons of peer tutoring.

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More families are seeking one-on-one help for their kids. What does that tell us about 21st-century education?

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A researcher shares findings for educators and school leaders on what makes tutoring effective.

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Commonly used for teaching Scouts outdoor skills, but can be use for classroom scenarios.

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https://mytutorsource.qa/blog/how-to-become-a-good-tutor/

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Tutors share a common goal with the students, and that is understanding of the subjects to score the best.

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The power of peer tutoring: Boosting academic success | Kitsap Daily News

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In the educational landscape, where academic pressures are ever-increasing, peer tutoring has emerged as an effective approach to learning.

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https://www.nanyanglearning.com/how-to-capture-and-maintain-students-attention-during-tutoring-sessions/

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How to Capture and Maintain Students’ Attention During Tutoring Sessions

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As an educator, one of the biggest challenges you face is capturing and maintaining your students’ attention during tutoring sessions. It’s essential to have a variety of strategies in your arsenal to keep your students engaged and focused on the material. In this article, we will explore 10 effective techniques that can…

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Tutoring is a terrific way to share your knowledge and skills while making a difference in the life of a young person. A regular tutor can help a student develop better study habits, improve their academic performance, and improve their social skills.

As you help your student reach their full potential, we want to make sure you you reach yours as well. Whether you've been tutoring for years or you just started, we've provided some tips that will help you and your tutee get the most out of your time together.

1. Establish a rapport

When you first meet the student you will be tutoring, spend some time getting to know them. Find out what their interests are outside of the classroom and what they like to do for fun. This will establish trust, communication, and most importantly - it shows them that you care.

2. Show up on time

You may have limited time during your tutoring session, so punctuality is key. Arrive on time and ready to work. Your tutee may not always be organized and ready to go at the beginning of each session, so it is important for you to set a strong example. If possible, have a plan laid out prior to the session so you can hit the ground running when you arrive.

3. Eliminate distractions

In today's world, distractions are everywhere. Try to find a quiet environment where you can work uninterrupted during your session. If your tutee needs to work on a computer, sit next to them rather than across from them so you can monitor their activity. If necessary, establish a rule of no cell phones/calls during your time together.

4. Set goals

Whether they are short or long-term, setting goals will help ensure you and your tutee are making progress. When you arrive, decide what you plan to accomplish during that session. It could be as simple as completing a math assignment or creating note cards for a presentation. If you know larger projects are on the horizon, such as a research paper, plan out your sessions ahead of time. Work on different components of the project during different tutoring sessions.

5. Define strengths and weaknesses

As you get to know your tutee, find out where they are succeeding academically and where they need extra help. If your tutee generally excels in math, but struggles with reading, it may be more advantageous to focus your sessions on reading

6. Ask questions

Learning is a process, and everyone does it differently. Find out what works best for your tutee - are they an auditory learner, or do they learn better visually? Is it helpful for them to watch you complete an algebraic equation first and then try it themselves? If they arrived at an incorrect answer, ask them to explain their logic. The more you understand how your tutee thinks and learns, the more you will be able to help them.

7. Show enthusiasm

Not all students have a positive attitude when it comes to studying, so it's important that you do. Try to help your tutee get excited about the material and make it relatable to them. If you can find a way to make learning fun and enjoyable, it will help your tutee stay engaged.

8. Be patient

Tutoring isn't always going to be easy, so remember that patience is a virtue. As you work through challenging material, there are bound to be moments of frustration. It is your job to help your tutee through these trying moments and to let them know that failure is sometimes part of the learning process.

9. Be resourceful

In working on a variety of subjects, you'll come to find that you don't always have all the answers. That's ok. You can still be resourceful and help your tutee find the information they need to complete their work. If you can plan your sessions in advance, you can do some preparation beforehand to brush up on subjects you are not familiar with.

10. Provide positive feedback

One of the most rewarding parts of being a tutor is watching your tutee achieve success. Whether it's getting an A in a subject they thought they'd never pass or completing a difficult assignment - let them know how well they did. These positive affirmations will help build their self esteem and give them the confidence they need to work through challenging material in the future.

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10 Tips That Will Make You A Better Tutor | Mercy Home for Boys & Girls

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Whether you've been tutoring for years or you just started, we've provided some tips that will help you and your tutee get the most out of your time together.

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Sumantha McMahon | Upgrade Your Education Business

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How to Structure a Tutoring Session (online or in-person)

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Effects on people who get tutored by peers 

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Effects on people who get tutored by peers 

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Whether you are a new or returning SSS tutor, these 10 strategies will make tutoring a productive and rewarding experience for you and your student(s).

Be honest. This helps to establish rapport and trust, the two most critical elements to a successful tutoring relationship.

Be flexible. This means being willing to adjust techniques and approaches to meet the learning styles of the student.
Be patient. What is obvious or easy for you may not be so for your student. Learn not to show annoyance in your speech or body language.

Be a good listener. Learn to pick up clues in your student?s speech that enable you to understand how he is really feeling. A good listener does not dominate the conversation!

Be professional. Except for discussing your student with SSS staff and/or faculty, information about the student must be kept confidential.
Be willing to share your own experiences. By sharing information about what you have encountered, the student may feel relieved that he is not alone. Sharing experiences and lessons learned goes a long way toward building trust and support. It also helps the student build self-confidence.

Be a collaborator. The tutor-student relationship should be viewed as a partnership. You are not there to take the place of the instructor. Let the student know you are there to work with her to supplement classroom and individual study.

Teach the student how to learn. As a tutor your ultimate goal is to help the student become an independent learner.

Be confident. You were chosen for qualities that enable you to be a good tutor and role model. However, having confidence also means having the courage to admit you don?t know an answer. Be honest with your student; tell her you?ll need to do your homework? and then follow through. She may actually feel better knowing you?re not perfect (and it is a great opportunity to teach learning skills).

Use available resources. The SSS staff is here to help. Let us know if there are problems with the tutoring relationship or problems affecting your student?s performance.

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Instagram Combined Shape quotation Created with Sketch. 69 Be honest. This helps to establish rapport and trust, the two most critical elements to a successful tutoring relationship. Be flexible. This means being willing to adjust techniques and approaches to meet the learning styles of the student. Be patient.

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Local schools need help with academic support. Research from Harvard and NWEA shows that despite some initial post-pandemic catch-up, progress has largely stalled and the lowest-income students remain way behind grade level. Tutoring can help close this gap.

Community-based organizations may be eager to jump in to tutor students, recruit volunteers and hire staff to work in schools. But they'd be doing a disservice by not first taking a step back to consider the challenges and requirements to do this work well.

I've worn many hats in education: classroom teacher, district office leader, community organization leader and now as a managing director at Accelerate. When these groups work together to serve students, magic can happen - creating opportunity and access for those most in need.

But simply placing extra adults in the building is insufficient. An organization's support must be grounded in research-backed, academically driven strategies. Good intentions, though a necessary starting point, aren't enough to change academic outcomes.

High-Impact Tutoring: Inside the Efforts to Combat COVID Learning Loss

In 2023-24, Accelerate invested in organizations providing tutoring during the school day. Of the students served, 97% qualified for free and reduced-price school lunch, 1 in 4 were English learners and 90% identified as Hispanic, Black or Native American. Here are six hard truths for community-based organizations about what it takes to make a real impact on student outcomes:

An impressive, longstanding record of youth service and/or family engagement doesn't guarantee academic success. Just because your organization excels at mentoring, character development or after-school activities, that doesn't mean you'll seamlessly transition to in-school support. Consider things like legally required accommodations for students with documented disabilities, the constraints of schools' master schedules and interpretation of complex academic data.

Schools need you now more than ever - don't try to wing it. The learning loss crisis is real, and students need support that works. Start by identifying local schools' specific needs, such as early literacy or middle school math. Then, follow the evidence on program design for effective high-dosage tutoring. Factors like subject areas, number of students served, grade level and a tutor's training and experiences should inform your approach. This clarity is essential for realistically assessing your ability to determine which proven programs or academic partners best meet student needs and align with existing school interventions.

Be ready for accountability. It's great that your work feels good, but does it actually do good? Be prepared for schools and funders to demand accountability for academic outcomes. Identify metrics for gauging your progress, execute necessary data sharing agreements with districts and then regularly analyze the data to mine for students' individual skill and knowledge gaps in order to continuously advance their learning. Even better, agree upon specific academic targets with districts and schools in advance and use them to guide decisions about the model.

For example, Accelerate partner Read USA implemented an in-school tutoring program using a sophisticated progress monitoring and data collection system to set individual student objectives and provide tutors with with explicit next steps to address the specific skills (e.g., phonics, comprehension, fluency) in which their student needs extra practice. This real-time data formed the basis for a small-scale randomized controlled trial to measure impact on learning.

How Districts Can Keep High-Impact Tutoring Going After ESSER Money Expires

You need time to plan - more than you think. School support for a tutoring initiative can ensure a strong implementation. So build in a planning year, or at least a full semester, to get principals, teachers and other staff on board. Many critical decisions will need to be made: the students to be served, subject area(s), scheduling, tutor selection, etc. To guarantee success, these conversations must happen early and often.

For example, Accelerate grantee Compass spent a full school year planning a tutoring program for predominantly Native American elementary school students in Rapid City, South Dakota. They retained a coordinator with deep educational experience and ties to the local school system and identified a proven model that could be easily implemented by a diverse set of tutors. In the first year, Compass's program reached some 200 students across four schools, with 85% receiving at least 90 minutes of English Language Arts tutoring a week from October 2023 to May 2024. This is more than many for-profit vendors provide.

Leverage your strengths and acknowledge your weaknesses. Build on what you've got: expertise with specific age groups, relationships with schools, families and neighborhoods or a pool of capable tutors. But don't assume your skills are enough. Just because your organization successfully mentors children, that doesn't mean you can teach them algebra. You need genuine academic expertise, if your organization doesn't already have it. Consider hiring a coordinator with intervention experience or purchase a proven program or curriculum that comes with robust training for tutors. Hire academic experts, pay for professional development and commit to serious learning. There's no shortcut to understanding how to teach core academic content.

Start small, prove your worth, then grow smartly. Begin with a manageably sized program, demonstrate your value by using data and grow by using digital tools to track both student progress and tutor attendance, while maintaining what works. When word spreads that you are improving outcomes, more schools will come knocking. But if their goals diverge from your organization's - aka mission creep - you should pass on the opportunity to scale for scaling's sake.

Tutoring Reality Check: Exclusive Research Shows Gains Shrink as Programs Expand

High-dosage tutoring is a serious academic intervention with specific guardrails. Schools and students need community-based organizations to come armed with enthusiasm and equipped with content knowledge, best-practice implementation, proven models and preparedness for challenges. The path isn't easy, but the potential impact is immense. Accelerate's newly republished report and playbook can help organizations plan and bridge the gap between community support and academic success. It's time to turn good intentions into great results.

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Schools Need Tutoring Help from Their Communities - But Doing It Well Isn't Easy

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Bronson: Simply placing extra adults in the building is insufficient. 6 hard truths about what it takes to make a real impact on student outcomes

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UNC Charlotte, Emerging Media Communications

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https://youtu.be/nxii94tuy48?si=_mmTX9EXvxGLT5Bg

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5 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Tutoring: Tips for Successful Test Prep Tutoring

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Why is tutoring important and how does it help students?

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Unlocking the Power of Tutoring: Explore its Importance in Enhancing Students’ Academic Journey, Improving Confidence, and Fostering a Lifelong Love for Learning.

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https://youtu.be/NUc51rFnc00?si=inzvBsGPJfHI9nX4

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5 Mistakes New Tutors Make | Cambly Tutor Tips

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https://news.uchicago.edu/story/national-study-finds-school-high-dosage-tutoring-can-reverse-pandemic-era-learning-loss

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National study finds in-school, high-dosage tutoring can reverse pandemic-era learning loss

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UChicago Education Lab study finds in-school, high-dosage tutoring leads to meaningful math gains

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https://lydianacademy.com/how-tutoring-helps-students-achieve-more/

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How Does Tutoring Help Students Achieve More? - Lydian Academy

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What are the benefits of tutoring for middle and high school students? Tutoring services can improve social and academic performance with these advantages.

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4 takeaways from ‘Impact and Efficacy of Peer Tutoring in Virtual and In-Person Settings’ study

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Recent research shows peer tutoring boosts student success, engagement and overall experience.

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Braden Kubik

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My top 10 tips on how to become a better tutor

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A researcher shares findings for educators and school leaders on what makes tutoring effective.

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Peer Educators on the Benefits of Tutoring

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9 Tutoring Strategies To Boost Student Learning & Motivation

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9 Tutoring Strategies To Boost Student Learning & Motivation

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9 Tutoring Strategies To Boost Student Learning & Motivation

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9 tutoring strategies to successfully transform small group and one-on-one learning math interventions and boost achievement.

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Whether you are a new or returning SSS tutor, these 10 strategies will make tutoring a productive and rewarding experience for you and your student(s).

Be honest. This helps to establish rapport and trust, the two most critical elements to a successful tutoring relationship.

Be flexible. This means being willing to adjust techniques and approaches to meet the learning styles of the student.
Be patient. What is obvious or easy for you may not be so for your student. Learn not to show annoyance in your speech or body language.

Be a good listener. Learn to pick up clues in your student?s speech that enable you to understand how he is really feeling. A good listener does not dominate the conversation!

Be professional. Except for discussing your student with SSS staff and/or faculty, information about the student must be kept confidential.
Be willing to share your own experiences. By sharing information about what you have encountered, the student may feel relieved that he is not alone. Sharing experiences and lessons learned goes a long way toward building trust and support. It also helps the student build self-confidence.

Be a collaborator. The tutor-student relationship should be viewed as a partnership. You are not there to take the place of the instructor. Let the student know you are there to work with her to supplement classroom and individual study.

Teach the student how to learn. As a tutor your ultimate goal is to help the student become an independent learner.

Be confident. You were chosen for qualities that enable you to be a good tutor and role model. However, having confidence also means having the courage to admit you don?t know an answer. Be honest with your student; tell her you?ll need to do your homework? and then follow through. She may actually feel better knowing you?re not perfect (and it is a great opportunity to teach learning skills).

Use available resources. The SSS staff is here to help. Let us know if there are problems with the tutoring relationship or problems affecting your student?s performance.

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Instagram Combined Shape quotation Created with Sketch. 69 Be honest. This helps to establish rapport and trust, the two most critical elements to a successful tutoring relationship. Be flexible. This means being willing to adjust techniques and approaches to meet the learning styles of the student. Be patient.

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Sean McMahon

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How Does Tutoring Help Students?

There are many reasons parents choose tutoring for their children. Some parents feel unable to help their children with schoolwork. Others may find their children are more receptive to working through school struggles with another person. Tutoring can help strengthen subject comprehension, boost confidence, and build important learning skills.

Tutoring gives students individualized attention that they don't get in a crowded classroom. This helps children who struggle to keep up, as well as those who aren't challenged enough. It also keeps students on track during breaks from school, such as during March Break, or during the summer.

What are the Benefits of Tutoring?

Tutoring programs can help your child develop study and learning skills that will help set up your child for success for his or her entire life. There are many advantages of tutoring services:

1. Individual and unique learning experience

Your child will receive an individualized learning experience he or she can't always get in a classroom setting. Tutors can customize the lessons and activities just for your child.

2. One-on-one attention

Tutors get to know your child's individual learning style and can adapt teaching methods accordingly. They act as your child's own private teacher.

3. Improves academic performance

Tutoring will prepare your child for tests and exams, while tutors work with your child on specific problem areas. Your child's grades and understanding of the subject will significantly improve when working with a tutor.

4. Improves attitude towards learning and school

Learning will become fun for your child. With constant encouragement and praise, your child will no longer feel overwhelmed or frustrated with school.

5. Encourages self-paced and self-directed learning

With tutoring, your child will learn to take the initiative his or her school work. Your child will also learn how to control the learning pace.

6. Improves self-esteem and confidence

Your child's self-esteem and confidence will increase through tutoring, by providing him or her with the resources and skills he or she needs to excel in school.

7. Improves work and study habits

Through tutoring, your child will learn work and study habits he or she will use for life. These skills will help prepare your child to successfully achieve his or her goals both inside and outside of school.

8. Positive work space

Tutoring provides an environment free of distractions, with fewer students and disruptions around so your child is better able to focus on learning.

9. Encourages independence and responsibility

Your child will gain the ability to do school work on his or her own, without your help. Your child will realize his or her own personal growth and will learn to take responsibilities for his or her studies.

10. Helps overcome learning obstacles

Your child's tutor will specifically target whichever aspect of learning he or she is having troubles with, whether it's writing, math, language, or reading.

11. Encourages the freedom to ask questions

At school, your child may not always feel comfortable asking questions in front of his or her peers. Tutoring will help teach your child to be comfortable asking questions, big or small, without feeling self-conscious.

12. Improves social and behavioural skills

Tutoring services will help your child become a better communicator, form better relationships with peers, and make more positive social and behavioural adjustments.

13. Increases ability to manage one's learning

Your child will become more competent in his or her learning and more successful in managing his or her school work.

14. Challenges those who need it

Tutoring helps bored or under-stimulated children reach their full potential.

15. Prepares your child for college

Students heading off to college will learn how to create study plans, develop advanced study skills, and learn superior time management skills. There are numerous benefits of tutoring in college, including reinforcement of existing knowledge and gaining a better understanding of a field of study.

Why Oxford Learning?

With Oxford Learning, our customized tutoring programs teach your child the skills he or she needs to deal with the challenges of school, and will help him or her develop critical thinking and learning skills that are used for life.

Dynamic Assessment

Oxford Learning uses a Dynamic Assessment to assess how your child learns. The test examines your child's strengths, needs, and potential, and is absolutely stress-free. The results of this test allow us to build a program specifically tailored to your child's needs.

Customized Programs

Oxford Learning offers customized programs personalized to your child's unique and academic needs. Your child will receive a customized learning plan, learning strategies to implement in school, develop study and organization tips, and learn improved school habits.

Interactive, Fun Learning

Your child will receive one-on-one instruction balanced with individualized work at Oxford Learning. Most importantly, your child will learn how to have fun learning. We want your child to enjoy and be excited about school and learning, so he or she can reach his or her potential.

Learn more about how Oxford Learning helps and find a program today!

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Benefits of Tutoring - How Does Tutoring Help Students? | Oxford Learning

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There are many reasons parents choose tutoring for their children. Some parents feel unable to help their children with schoolwork. Others may find their children are more receptive to working through school struggles with another person. Tutoring can help strengthen subject comprehension, boost confidence, and build important learning skills.

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Whether you are a new or returning SSS tutor, these 10 strategies will make tutoring a productive and rewarding experience for you and your student(s).

Be honest. This helps to establish rapport and trust, the two most critical elements to a successful tutoring relationship.

Be flexible. This means being willing to adjust techniques and approaches to meet the learning styles of the student.
Be patient. What is obvious or easy for you may not be so for your student. Learn not to show annoyance in your speech or body language.

Be a good listener. Learn to pick up clues in your student?s speech that enable you to understand how he is really feeling. A good listener does not dominate the conversation!

Be professional. Except for discussing your student with SSS staff and/or faculty, information about the student must be kept confidential.
Be willing to share your own experiences. By sharing information about what you have encountered, the student may feel relieved that he is not alone. Sharing experiences and lessons learned goes a long way toward building trust and support. It also helps the student build self-confidence.

Be a collaborator. The tutor-student relationship should be viewed as a partnership. You are not there to take the place of the instructor. Let the student know you are there to work with her to supplement classroom and individual study.

Teach the student how to learn. As a tutor your ultimate goal is to help the student become an independent learner.

Be confident. You were chosen for qualities that enable you to be a good tutor and role model. However, having confidence also means having the courage to admit you don?t know an answer. Be honest with your student; tell her you?ll need to do your homework? and then follow through. She may actually feel better knowing you?re not perfect (and it is a great opportunity to teach learning skills).

Use available resources. The SSS staff is here to help. Let us know if there are problems with the tutoring relationship or problems affecting your student?s performance.

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Instagram Combined Shape quotation Created with Sketch. 69 Be honest. This helps to establish rapport and trust, the two most critical elements to a successful tutoring relationship. Be flexible. This means being willing to adjust techniques and approaches to meet the learning styles of the student. Be patient.

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1. Getting Started

Your role as tutor is to help students learn the process for problem solving and build their confidence and content knowledge. You may feel pressure because you have the ability to influence a group of students, and you want to do well. Take it easy! If you are doing your best to tutor students, they will see that and respect you for your effort. Know that you have a support system with the staff at the school, fellow tutors, and in the Leonard Gelfand Center at Carnegie Mellon.

Here are some basic principles for working with students:

Communicate Communication is one of the keys to success. Nonverbal communication is just as important as verbal, so be aware of your posture and body language. Avoid crossing your arms, leaning back in your chair, tapping pens, doodling, fidgeting, zoning out, or ongoing looks of frustration. Nod and smile appropriately to let your student understand that you support him/her. Be sure to make appropriate eye contact. Your behavior is a model for your student, and this is a great way to show you are listening and engaged.

Be sincere More than how much you remember about geometry, students care if you are real with them. If you feel relaxed, open, confident, and comfortable, students will feel this way, too. Chit-chatting before and occasionally during the tutoring session allows you to relate to the student and to better understand the most effective ways to teach them.

Share your experience We all have stories about having difficulty with particular subjects/topics. Sharing these anecdotes helps students to know they are not alone. If your students know that they are not alone, they will feel like the trouble they are having in school is a part of the learning process. Trust us, it is!

Make the process transparent Teamwork and communication are really important parts of tutoring. In order to maintain a successful program, we need all the tutors to act as transparently as possible. Set clear boundaries and make a plan that meets both your expectations and the student's. Communicate openly and often.

Talk to your fellow tutors and the school faculty They may be able to provide helpful information about the students' lives and can give you tips that you may have not considered. Tell the teacher what's going on with students' behavior and progress (ex: what issues they are having); they may have strategies/ideas to improve your next session with that student.

2. Tutor-Student Relationship

Helping students take ownership of their learning is a critical step in the process of education, and as a tutor you will have the ability and the responsibility to guide these students to be empowered learners.

Make students do the work. Never give them the answer. In the long-run, you're doing them a huge favor by teaching them how to learn the materials at hand.

Have students prioritize their work. Students can then make choices about what they want to work on during their tutoring sessions. For example, ask: "Which work should you do first? Why? What should we do now?"

Ask questions! You may begin by saying something like: "How would you begin solving this homework problem?" Be sure to ask questions your student is able to answer, as well as harder ones.

Do the hard homework first. The student can do the easy work at
The truth is that parents may not understand some of the more difficult homework. Try to direct students towards finishing their harder work while they are around trained individuals who can support them.

Acknowledge students who are waiting for help. A good way to have them understand is by saying something like "I see you; I'll come to you next." Students will then tend to move on by themselves to another problem.

Try to get the students to do the work on their own. Sometimes students ask for help even though, when you ask them, they know how to find the correct answer. Many students want to be validated and acknowledged for their work. Try giving them an instruction on their assignment: "Do number 3 now on your own and I'll come back and check on you."

Acknowledge your student's hard work and accomplishments. You can do this throughout the session, but make sure to reiterate this at the end of each session.

3. Structure & Routines

The goal of tutoring is to teach students an efficient routine to complete homework on their own and to learn how to effectively seek answers. Thus, be sure to structure your time effectively and establish these routines. A few ways to show students that you are committed to being their tutor is by showing up on time and being available and present for all tutoring sessions.

Set goals and establish specific, measurable objectives. This will allow you to set a diagnostic to the progress of your students and program. Speak with other members at your program to see what is already in place.

State objectives before you start the one-on-one or group activity. Let students know what to expect from the tutoring session. Always keep in mind that you want to have direction when working with your students. Before you begin any activity, state the objective and what it would mean for them to grasp the concepts.

Have a time-based outline of a plan for each session. It is important to have a plan of what you are going to be doing throughout the session, whether it is with a group or one-on-one. While it is not necessary to have a written timeline, learn how much time routine activities take so you can more effectively plan lessons.

Be consistent. Make it a point to be patient, encouraging, and flexible each session.

Students' lives may be filled with many inconsistencies. You want to be a consistent and positive role model in their lives. This will help you gain their respect and trust. Show up on time and ready to work!

4. Process

Never be afraid to ask for help or direction. Tutors benefit from ongoing support. It is understandable that newer tutors will require more structure and closer supervision. Tutors can learn from each other's experiences, as well as from teacher and supervisor suggestions for handling problems.

Implement "logs" for both tutor and student. This will help you to see what was accomplished and what still is needed among both students and tutors.

5. Working Towards Independence

As a tutor, you should help facilitate a path that would allow students to seek knowledge for themselves. These tips will help you find out new ways to help students learn how to do work on their own.

Reinforce progress and aim for student independence. Move from experiences where the student is fully supported to experiences where student is fully independent

I do, we do, you do. At first, you will be the one aiding with problems. The session will then get to a point where you and the student do problems together. In the end, you want the student to be able to do it successfully themselves.

Adjust the plan if the student is frustrated. There are many ways to teach a student the same concepts or lessons. Try not to get too focused on teaching the student a concept only one way. Be prepared to adapt to the way the student learns by teaching the material in a way that best helps your student grasp the concept.

Be aware of your student's shifting workload. Constantly check to make sure the student is properly prioritizing their work and taking a more independent role in designing what this system looks like.

6. Behavior Management and Bullying

If you witness a student being bullied during a tutoring session, let the bully know that you don't appreciate what they're saying and encourage the bully to apologize. If the bullying behavior continues, contact a faculty member or site director to intervene. If there is a physical altercation between students and you are the first adult to notice, use a stern but polite voice to call for the altercation to stop. If that does not work, notify the nearest adult employee at the school or site location.

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General Guidelines for Tutors - Gelfand Center - Carnegie Mellon University

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Five research-based Tutoring Strategies

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Vol. 81

No. 2

Abstract

Positive Academic and Social Outcomes for All

When students teach and learn from each other, their academic and social outcomes improve.

Abstract

Positive Academic and Social Outcomes for All

If you have ever taught someone else how to fix a flat tire or edit a picture on their smartphone, then you have likely experienced the protégé effect: In the process of teaching someone else, you deepen your own knowledge of the topic. The protégé effect is often used in educational games and requires a user to "teach" an agent, often a digital avatar who benefits from the instruction. In doing so, the person teaching also benefits by learning. Studies have shown that when middle school students believed they were learning science material to teach a digital peer, they exerted more effort than those who believed they were learning the content for themselves for a test later (Chase et al., 2009).

Peer tutoring pairs students for the purpose of mediating each other's learning. Peer-led interactions capitalize on what education psychologist Lev Vygotsky described nearly a century ago as the zone of proximal development. In this model, the learner's range is extended under the guidance of a more capable peer. Many educators have witnessed the power of a student who has recently mastered a skill, effectively chunking it into understandable language for a classmate. In doing so, both the tutor and the tutee profit from the exchange. We describe here five evidence-based models of peer tutoring that can transform your classroom into a place where students feel supported, are learning more, and are learning better than before.

1. Same-Age Peer Tutoring

A higher-performing and lower-performing classmate are matched to learn content the lower-performing student has not yet mastered. The arrangement does not need to be done as a whole-class model, and in fact is sometimes accomplished during small-group rotations while other students meet with the teacher or work independently. A popular version of same-age tutoring is paired reading using a book chosen to stretch the tutee's reading skills. The tutor, serving as a model, reads a passage aloud, then the tutee reads the same passage aloud. The pair then discuss the meaning of the text using questions prepared by the teacher.

2. Reciprocal Peer Tutoring

Students are heterogeneously paired, with each member serving simultaneously as tutor and tutee to support their collective success. This collaborative learning task charges students with synthesizing content and asking questions to elicit answers and explanations. For example, students read a passage from the textbook and one student, acting as the tutor, asks questions about the passage to the other student, who must locate the information. The pair then reads the next passage and reverses roles for question asking. Once the assigned passages have been read and discussed, they review the questions they compiled for further practice.

Communication skills, positive behavior, and social skills can increase using peer tutoring.

3. Classwide Peer Tutoring

In this form of peer tutoring, the entire class is engaged simultaneously. Students work in pairs to practice skills or concepts they have already been taught. Each member of each team takes a turn acting as the tutor and tutee. The tutor asks questions prepared in advance by the teacher and assesses the accuracy of their partner's answers. Correct responses earn two points. Partially answered or incorrect responses earn one point, after the corrected response is repeated orally and in writing. Then the roles switch and more questions are asked. Pairs tally their points to determine the winning team of the day.

4. Teach-Back

Students are assigned a skill or concept that has been previously taught and develop a short lesson to teach it back to a peer. These lessons can be recorded or enacted in real time. As one example, students were assigned a range of mathematical tasks to demonstrate how fractions are represented in different ways. Students developed charts to explain the representation they chose (e.g., groups of objects, a number line, shapes in a tangram) then used their chart as a display to teach a partner.

5. Cross-Age Peer Tutoring

Older students are paired with younger ones to teach content that's developmentally appropriate for the tutee. The tutor explains the concept or skill, models positive behavior, and asks questions to encourage the younger student's thinking. In the video that accompanies this column, seniors in a Dallas high school work in a nearby 4th grade classroom to teach small groups of students about reading, writing, and learning skills. In one lesson, they each run a station to teach six dimensions of self-regulation of learning. "This helped me learn a lot," said one senior. "You understand it, but you don't realize how simple it really is until you talk to the kids about it." The protégé effect, indeed.

Positive Academic and Social Outcomes for All

Peer tutoring has a strong evidence base for bolstering academic performance, especially in areas of reading and mathematics (Bowman-Perrott et al., 2013). When dyads or triads of students meet together, their learning deepens as they teach one another. The evidence on social outcomes is equally strong (Bowman-Perrott et al., 2014). Communication skills, positive behavior, and social skills can increase using peer tutoring. At a time when the academic and social skills of students are especially precarious, isn't it time to bring back this low-cost intervention?

Show & Tell / Peer Tutoring Strategies

References

Bowman-Perrott, L., Burke, M. D., Zhang, N., & Zaini, S. (2014). Direct and collateral effects of peer tutoring on social and behavioral outcomes: A meta-analysis of single-case research. School Psychology Review, 43(3), 260-285.

Bowman-Perrott, L., Davis, H., Vannest, K., Williams, L., Greenwood, C., & Parker, R. (2013). Academic benefits of peer tutoring: A meta-analytic review of single-case research. School Psychology Review, 42(1), 39-55.

Chase, C., Chin, D., Oppezzo, M., & Schwartz, D. (2009). Teachable agents and the protégé effect: Increasing the effort towards learning. Journal of Science Education & Technology, 18(4), 334-352.

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Five Peer Tutoring Strategies for the Classroom

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When students teach and learn from each other, their academic and social outcomes improve.