Giving Students Responsibility...Through Technology?

“Inspiring Students with Peer Tutoring,” by Brandy Smith


Brandy Smith puts an emphasis on how technology can help at- risk students. Smith led an after school club called “The Tech- Kids.” This program would teach at risk students technology basics, so they could teach others. After these students were trained and ready to go, they were sent out to other classrooms to teach them about technology. These students were selected based on criteria. This was your typical criteria either. The kids that were eligible for this program were not the students who have straight A’s, but actually the opposite. This peer tutoring program allowed at risk students to help others. This gave them a sense of importance, and something to look forward to. They would work towards a common goal and learn to work together. They were able to build friendships, and collaborate with their peers. Smith says that there are so many benefits to technology tutoring peers. Students get to work together instead of in isolation. And, they get to learn technology skills that would be hard to find anywhere else. The results from this club were outstanding! Students came out of the program happy, and exited about learning. Students were coming out of this program with friends, and could actually use a computer. Before this program, only few students knew anything about technology, and now the majority of the school understands at least the basics of technology. This program demonstrated the great impact children could have in teaching their peers.

I think this would be a great program for the school I am working in now. The majority of the students are considered at risk, and I think this would be a great opportunity for them to not only gain knowledge in technology, but also build friendships and learn to work with one another. Technology is a tool that can be used in so many ways. In this case, it brought the school together, and students were able to make friendships while learning. When students (especially at risk students) teach other students certain tasks, it makes them feel a sense of importance, and that is so vital in their development and their future. It also gives them the responsibility that they should have in their lives. I would have my at risk students tutor younger students. It doesn’t even have to be in technology. This goes to show that when students collaborate with their peers, it has a positive effect on their lives.