The relative effectiveness of staff tutors and student tutors in teaching higher level cognitive skills to University of Limburg (Netherlands) law students appears to be similar, but staff tutors are felt to be better because they are experts in their field. (Author/MSE)

Describes the Seventh Grade Tobacco Prevention (S.T.E.P.) program, evaluating its impact on adolescent tobacco use, tobacco knowledge, and beliefs about tobacco use. Results revealed that same-age peers had the least effect in changing the students' knowledge level, had a negative effect on changing students' beliefs, and had a negative effect on…

In this study, clique analysis methodology was used to analyze the social interaction of preschoolers (two with social delays and four nondelayed) in a nontraining or generalization setting. Analysis suggested that students with social delays became more integrated during free-play times following peer-mediated instruction. (Author/DB)

Reports the rationale, objectives, tools, and achievements of Project Motivation, which helps disadvantaged primary school children in Delhi, India, to develop required competencies through a child-to-child approach. Middle-grade children were oriented to work with the younger children, and these older children developed a positive self-concept…

Examines literature on peer education in Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) programs for youth. The review shows that peer involvement helps increase access to, and acceptance of, HIV/AIDS prevention messages, and enhances the possibility of behavior change. (SM)

This study investigated effects of a same-age tutoring procedure on academic and social behavior of eight behaviorally disordered middle school tutors and tutees. Results indicated increased scores on tutors' and tutees' math worksheets, improved attitudes toward math for both groups, and significantly improved social interactions between tutors…

Outlines a constructivist model for teaching basic mathematical concepts and processes to underprepared college students. Explores five types of classroom interaction incorporated into the model, including peer teaching, interactive teaching, and independent learning. Reports on an assessment of the constructivist approach at the University of…

Presents a study of the cooperative learning method "Jigsaw II." Reports superior academic achievement effects are inconsistent with poorer results reported in earlier studies. Discusses a modification incorporating a group goal achievable only by contribution of all group members. Concludes that cooperative learning must include a group…

An adolescent with moderate mental disabilities tutored a seven year old in arithmetic. The peer tutoring program increased the mathematics performance of the first grader, successfully integrated the adolescent into a more typical classroom environment, improved the accuracy of the tutor's mathematics performance, and resulted in changes in…

Reports on a study of peer teaching through small group instruction in a college level psychology program. Describes how upper level undergraduate students designed, implemented, and evaluated projects to teach psychology to introductory students. Finds that both the introductory and advanced students enjoyed the experience and recommended that…

This study evaluated a cross-age peer tutoring intervention using four low-achieving grade-four students as tutors and three grade-three students reading at grade level. Tutors and tutees all improved their sight word performance substantially. All participants reported they liked the program and tutors also improved in self-concept. (DB)

A program in which first-year pharmacy students "shadowed" fourth-year students in clerkships for a day found the shadowing experienced did not significantly improve students' ability to master course objectives, but the introduction of younger students to practice areas of pharmacy was seen as very beneficial. (Author/MSE)

The GESA (Gender/Ethnic/Racial Expectations and Student Achievement) program is a staff development program to aid teachers in identifying and removing classroom biases. GESA utilizes peer coaching and a team approach and has resulted in teachers reporting positive effects upon student attitudes and achievement. (DB)

Effects of previous training and experience in peer tutoring on student interactions were studied for 16 elementary school classes. Student dyads with experience and training in peer tutoring provided more interactional explanations and incorporated sounder instructional principles. In both situations, student explanations tended to be algorithmic…

If we define success as having all students perform at the same level at the same age, we magnify the effects of developmental differences and discourage those who are not advantaged academically. All students should receive the kinds of services the most advanced do now. (SLD)