Instruction Based on Tutoring

Graesser, A. C., Olney, A., Cade, W. (2009). Instruction based on tutoring. In R.E. Mayer and P.A. Alexander (Eds.), Handbook of Research on Learning and Instruction. New York Routledge Press.

http://epistemicgames.org/eg/wp-content/uploads/Graesser-handbook-tutoring-110109.pdf

Tutoring is the typical solution that students, parents, teachers, principles and school systems turn to when the students are not achieving expected grades and educational standards. There are serious worries in the community when a school is not meeting the standards of a high stakes test, and teachers are anxious about the prospects of losing their jobs due to the criteria and policies of No Child Left Behind. Schools and families worry when a student runs the risk of losing a scholarship or when an athlete may be cut from a team. Tutors step in to help under these conditions. Wealthier families might end up paying $200 per hour for an accomplished tutor to rescue save a son or daughter. However, these expectations may be rather high, considering that most tutors are same-age peers of the students, slightly older cross-age tutors, citizens in the community, and paraprofessionals who have had little or no training on tutoring pedagogy. Nevertheless, their tutoring can be effective in helping students learn, as we will document in this chapter.