Reciprocal Peer Tutoring.

 

Today, we'll explore using reciprocal tutoring in the math classroom.  First thing to know is that reciprocal tutoring is not reciprocal teaching.  Reciprocal teaching is a technique used to teach reading and reading comprehension so we want to use reciprocal tutoring.  Reciprocal tutoring is where two students are paired up and one of the two acts as the tutor to begin with. Another time, the other student acts as tutor instead. 

Reciprocal tutoring is a highly rated method that helps increase student achievement and has been studied for several decades..  It is best used to review information while providing extra practice of a topic or concept. In this intervention strategy, grouped students switch between the role of tutor and tutee so one is teaching and the other(s) are learning.  It is not a good choice to introduce new material, only for reviewing and practicing.

If done correctly, reciprocal tutoring increases student achievement while decreasing distracting or off task behavior.  Often this is due to the one on one attention of the tutor to the tutee and the fact they are engaged in their learning.  In addition, it appears that reciprocal tutoring helps decrease math anxiety.  

Reciprocal peer tutoring can be done through the whole class at the same time.  This is set up like a game so as each pair breaks up into the tutor and tutee, they work through specific academic tasks and as they get correct answers, they gain points. As one question is answered, the two switch so the tutor becomes the tutee and the tutee, the tutor.  The pair with the most points are considered the winners.  

Another possibility is for older students to work with younger students.  In this scenario, the older student is the tutor while the younger one is the tutee. In this situation, the older students need a bit of guidance so they know how to provide tutoring for the younger student.

There is also the situation where a high performing student is matched with a low performing student so one is the coach and the other is the tutee.  For this situation, students work on skills the lower performing student needs to practice.  It is important to regularly switch pairs around so that everyone has the opportunity to be both the coach and the tutee.

In order to implement reciprocal peer tutoring, one needs to decide the type of tutoring that is needed in the room, pair students up based on the desired outcome, explain expectations for each role and teach how it is to be done. Finally, monitor the reciprocal tutoring as it is being done, award points if that is part of your program, and switch pairs as needed. 

If you noticed, many parts of the process for reciprocal peer tutoring is the same for regular peer tutoring but it is not exactly the same because the tutor and tutee change so everyone gets to be both. Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.