- What
is an online peer tutor?
- How
is an online peer tutor different from an online supplemental instructor?
- Why
do online peer tutors not help with grading?
- What
training do online peer tutors have?
- How
are online peer tutors chosen?
- What
qualities make for a good online peer tutor?
- How
to the online peer tutor and the instructor coordinate their efforts?
- How
are online peer tutors paid?
- What
are the advantages to a faculty member of having an online peer tutor?
- What
are the advantages to students of having an online peer tutor
in the class?
What
is an online peer tutor?
An online peer tutor is a successful student, who is placed in
a course that he or she had completed, to serve as a guide
for others. The duties of online peer tutors include tutoring students,
facilitating discussion, and locating resources, but their
most essential function is to model the role of a successful
student.
 top
How
is an online peer tutor different from an online supplemental instructor?
Online peer tutors are
not simply representatives of the instructor but play a very
distinctive role as peer mentors in classroom activities, sharing their experience,
fostering discussion, and modeling the role of a successful
student. In addition, they are asked not to perform any activities
pertaining to grading.
top
Why
do online peer tutors not help with grading?
The online peer tutors rely on the special trust that they enjoy in the
classroom as peers of the students. Participation in grading
would add an unwanted element of tension in their relations
with other students.
top
What training do online peer tutors have?
Online peer tutors are generally given training in online communication,
learning software, and pedagogical technique. Some of them
eventually become very expert in understanding the dynamics
of online education.
top
How
are online peer tutors chosen?
Most of the time, an instructor will chose a student that
has been especially successful to be his/her online peer tutor in the
coming semester.
top
What
qualities make for a good online peer tutor?
In addition to having a good knowledge of the course material,
an online peer tutor should be comfortable online. He or she will need
verbal skills and social sensitivity.
top
How
to the online peer tutor and the instructor coordinate their efforts?
The online peer tutor and instructor generally work very closely,
so good communication between them is essential. At the beginning
of a course, they should agree on a division of labor. After
that, they should be in touch at least once a week for the
duration of the course.
top
How
are online peer tutors paid?
online peer tutors are generally paid by the course. Other benefits of
the job include an educational experience, an opportunity
for greater camaraderie with other students, a chance to get
to know the professor, participation in a vital community,
and access to job/career opportunities.
top
What
are the advantages to a faculty member of having an online peer tutor?
An online peer tutor can obviously save a faculty member a lot
of time by taking on tasks such as tutoring individual students
and monitoring the class for students who fall behind. If
a faculty member is new to online education, an online peer tutor can often help with technical problems. In addition, a course
having an online peer tutor in the class can relieve the feelings of isolation
that faculty members sometimes feel in an online classroom.
top
What
are the advantages to students of having an online peer tutor in
the class?
An online peer tutor can help students in several ways including
academic assistance, technical assistance, time management,
and advising. In questionnaires, students have emphasized
the confidence that comes simply with knowing that somebody
available if there are difficulties.
top
 |
