Somali Triad Tutoring - Dee Knoblauch
Abstract:
This triad tutoring program connects Otterbein students with Somali students at Westerville North HS. Each triad consists of an Otterbein student (the tutor) and two Somali students (one more advanced than the other). The main goal of the triads is to improve the Somali students' English language skills and to prepare them for the OGT (Ohio Graduation Test).
The more advanced students act as translators and peer teachers, so they are engaged in learning and teaching in a Vygotskian framework. The less advanced learners enjoy the benefits of two tutors: the more experienced Otterbein student (who is concurrently taking an educational psychology course) and their Somali peer. This is a year-long program, but the Otterbein tutors change each quarter as there is a new educational psychology course each fall, winter, and spring quarter. The triads typically meet twice a week for an hour each session.
Partnership and Collaborative Development
In 2005 I started placing my educational psychology students in tutoring placements at Westerville North. In 2006 the tutors primarily began serving Somali ELL students. Winter quarter '08 was the pilot program for the Triad Tutoring Program, as I searched for a way to better support my Otterbein students, as well as serve the Somali students more effectively.
Evaluation
Each Otterbein tutor creates an electronic tutoring portfolio, which includes detailed tutoring logs, assessment data, and reflection. Additionally, the ESL students at North have grade information, OTELA scores, and OGT scores. Based on the summative assessment data from the Otterbein tutors, each tutee has made progress. English language speaking and writing has improved, math knowledge and application has improved, and science vocabulary and understanding has improved. All of the tutees earned As or Bs in science this spring term.
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