The peer tutoring learning model is an alternative that can be applied to students in the teaching and learning process to help them receive lesson material. The Manado Independent School (MIS) Science Club created an interesting peer tutoring program. Prema Kollabathula, MA, MPh.ED., head of the MIS Science Club, said that the purpose of the program is to help students involve their own active learning to improve their critical thinking skills and provide a student perspective on learning for better results in examinations.
The tutors are selected students from grades 12C4, 11C5, and 10C4 who teach Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. Students are taught in groups, and the tutors are selected by subject teachers. As the head of the Science and Health Club, Kollabathula believes the peer tutoring program is highly beneficial for tutors and tutees. It helps in their teaching and learning process by increasing their social connectedness, communication skills, and critical thinking. Students also benefit from positive role models, positive peer influences, and improved self-esteem. Because of these benefits, the Science and Health Club has decided to provide more meetings for peer tutorials. The club plans for the peer tutoring program to run once a term.
Claire Muljanto, the president of the MIS Science Club and a tutor, felt so much joy teaching her batch mates. “It is truly a surreal feeling teaching my batch mates,” she said. “The competitive souls of my friends are showing as I give them questions for recitation. Some of them were struggling and some of them were thriving. We created this program so that everyone could understand the subject they struggled with in school. Although there were some students that were struggling, we as the tutors, helped them to understand the lesson. If they don’t understand we will explain it again so that everyone can understand it. It is truly an amazing experience that I will never forget in my life. I had so much fun teaching my batch mates and seeing them understand the lesson I was teaching made my heart melt and I’m beyond grateful for such a beautiful experience.”
Another student, Luna Tansuria, explained that joining the peer tutoring program held by the Science Club was very beneficial to her because it helped her a lot in preparing for the midterm examination. “It was really helpful because we can get the answers to our unanswered questions that we didn’t get the chance to ask in regular class,” she said. “Moreover, through this program, I can finally understand the topics that were not clear to me before. I am able to know which part of the lesson I need to put more attention to. Another benefit is that we get to study with our friends, even those who are from other classes.”
The peer tutoring program at MIS is a great example of how students can support each other’s learning. The program provides students with an opportunity to learn from their peers, develop their teaching and learning skills, and build social connections.
