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This paper focuses on the important roles of peer tutoring and peer tutoring services that utilize student tutors in higher education. First, the roles and potential benefits of peer tutoring are identified and reviewed as they apply to various dimensions of student development. Second, the impacts, benefits, and extended beneficiaries of peer tutoring or tutoring services are discussed. The article concludes with recommendations for interdepartmental collaboration and student support services in higher education.
Peer tutoring is increasingly popular in higher education. Although many tutoring services focus on assisting tutees, numerous studies note that student tutors as well as tutees benefit (Yook and Kim 2014). Peer tutoring involves individuals from similar groups who are not professional instructors and is "a system whereby learners help each other and learn by teaching" (Mynard and Almarzouqi 2006, 13). It is not uncommon for academic programs or student residence halls to provide peer tutoring or mentoring. Peer tutoring is defined as taking on a specific role: Someone has the job of tutor while the other(s) is (are) in the role of tutee(s) (Topping 1998). Student tutors help other students via any number of different organizations on campus, including writing centers, statistical consulting offices, communication centers, teaching assistant offices, and residence halls, among others. Within and outside of classroom settings, peer tutoring is likely to imply equal status and merit.
Because the roles of peer tutors vary, the terms 'peer tutoring,' 'peer coaching,' and 'peer mentoring' are virtually interchangeable. 'Peer mentoring' (of inexperienced mentees by experienced mentors) may be used in place of 'peer tutoring.' Advanced students or upperclassmen often serve as tutors for less academically prepared tutees (who often are also underclassmen).
The word 'proctor' is also used to refer to students who help other students, though the role is quite different from that of peer tutor. At universities in the United Kingdom, a proctor is responsible for administering discipline (Saunders 1992). According to usage in the United States, a proctor is a more advanced student who tests less advanced students or who tutors peer students (Saunders 1992). Bruffee (1993) notes that peer tutoring is of two types: "monitor type," using college students as institutional manpower, and "collaborative type," mobilizing interdependence and peer influence for educational ends. Most peer...