Studies have shown that peer tutoring increases the knowledge of both tutors and tutees. Finding tutors can mean frustration in sourcing the right tutor, searching for funding, booking scarce appointments, and potentially hiring a tutor that is not qualified. The challenges I just mentioned are real for students and impact learners’ ability to not only keep up in the classroom, but to experience the love of learning in a subject because they don’t feel they are innately ‘good at it.’ It is well understood that during the COVID-19 pandemic, instructors were forced to pivot teaching online. Students also had to pivot learning online and missed community face-to-face interactions. The founder of Khan Academy created schoolhouse, a platform that brings together those looking for specific knowledge, with those that would like to volunteer tutoring small groups or one-to-one in a virtual community. Tutors are certified through the organization, and it is currently operating in over 100 countries. Tutees not only learn, but they learn that people they have never met before are willing to give of their knowledge freely. That is a powerful lesson in global citizenship.
https://schoolhouse.world/
Photo by Wes Hicks on Unsplash
Hi Tamaka, thanks for your post. Since leaving my last teaching position, I started online tutoring. I found it was a really nice way to stay connected with students and educating – something I really miss when I’m not teaching. I had heard something about Schoolhouse, but I don’t think I realized exactly what it had to offer. I think that, even if I were to ever change careers, I would love to continue working with students even on a volunteer basis. On the other hand, there are so many things I would love to explore myself as a learner and knowing I could perhaps have a tutor just a few clicks away is really intriguing. I imagine that platforms like these would allow you to connect with people who might have very specific specialties. Something that would take more time and effort without it.