Dr. Preston VanLoon
Iowa Wesleyan College
MRADE Conference
September 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 Tutoring
Programs:
• 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)

• 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 College
Academic 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 Tutoring
Session 1: Definition of Tutoring, Tutor Roles and
Responsibilities
Session 2: Steps of the Tutoring Cycle
Session 3: Communication
Session 4: Ethics and Tutoring
Session 5: Do’s and Don’ts of Tutoring
Session 6: Planning
Session 7: Critical Thinking
Session 8: Problem Solving
Session 9: Study Skills
Session 10: Note-Taking

Level Two Training (EDUC 200 continued):
Session 11: Reading College Textbooks
Session 12: Objective Test Taking Strategies
Session 13: Writing
Session 14: Referrals
Session 15: Documentation
EDUC 201: Advanced Peer Tutoring
Session 1: Learning Styles and Learning Differences
Session 2: Cultural Awareness
Session 3: Content Area Tutoring
Session 4: Tutoring Techniques: Probing Questions
Session 5: Preparing for Exams and Test Anxiety

Level Three Training (EDUC 201 cont.)
Session 6: Time Management Skills
Session 7: The Tutor-Tutee Relationship
Session 8: Resources for Tutors
Session 9: Multiple Intelligences and Tutoring
Session 10: Group and Individual Tutoring
Session 11: Reading Difficulties: Dyslexia
Session 12: Empathy and Tutoring
Session 13: Assertiveness
Session 14: Memory Strategies
Session 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 Professor
Iowa Wesleyan College
601 N. Main Street
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa 52641 pvanloon@iwc.edu
(319) 385-6376