The effectiveness of peer tutoring in further and higher education: A typology and review of the literature

Abstract

Quality, outcomes and cost-effectiveness of methods of teaching and learning in colleges and universities are being scrutinised more closely. The increasing use of peer tutoring in this context necessitates a clear definition and typology, which are outlined. The theoretical advantages of peer tutoring are discussed and the research on peer tutoring in schools briefly considered. The substantial existing research on the effectiveness of the many different types and formats of peer tutoring within colleges and universities is then reviewed. Much is already known about the effectiveness of some types of peer tutoring and this merits wider

Evaluation of a Voluntary Tutoring Program in Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics for First-year Undergraduates at Universidad Andres Bello, Chile

“…Educational literature contains several examples of tutoring experiences elementary, high school and university science education (Báez-Galib et al, 2005;Colomer et al, 2013;Navarra-Madsen & Ingram, 2010;Johnson, 2014;Liu et al, 2014), showing a positive impact of tutoring in the immediate academic outcomes of participant students (Cooper, 2010;Hendriksen, Yang, Love, & Hall, 2005;Maxwell, 1990;Topping, 1996). These positive effects are supported by Vygotsky's cultural and cognitive theory of development, which proposes that the students' independent problem-solving capabilities can be enhanced with guidance or collaborative assistance provided by a teacher that has mastered the particular skills that are to be developed and that is specifically devoted to teaching (Vygotsky's Educational Theory in Cultural Context, 2003).…”

L’expérience de tutorat par les pairs étudiants : une expérience appréciée des tuteurs en chirurgie-dentaire

“…Ceci est primordial car on sait que la qualité de la formation des tuteurs et la structuration du tutorat ont un impact bénéfique pour l'apprentissage 9 . La formation des tuteurs se décline selon deux modes principaux.…”

“…D'autre part, le tutorat par les pairs a des effets très bénéfiques sur les plans cognitif et psycho-social auprès des tuteurs eux-mêmes 9 . Cependant, on sait encore peu de chose des bénéfices attendus pour et par les tuteurs en termes de compétences transférables dans le cadre des études médicales et dans le cadre professionnel (formation continue, éducation du patient).…”

Lecturers’ Role in Tutor Development from an Activity Theory Perspective

“…The voice of the lecturer has been neglected with most studies (see Ching & Chang-Chen, 2011;Comfort, 2011;Topping, 1998) focusing on the role and perceptions of tutors and students. This study addresses these gaps by focusing on the role that lecturers played in providing support to tutors so that they could execute their tasks more effectively as facilitators of learning within tutorials.…”