A Web Framework for Online Peer Tutoring Application in a Smart Campus

Abstract

Peer tutoring is a unique and efficient method of teaching that has been widely investigated. Related works in the literature ranges from cross-age peer tutoring, peer tutoring for the disabled, reciprocal peer tutoring, to peer tutoring for children. One unique method that has been scarcely documented, however, is peer tutoring with the aid of the Internet. In this paper, therefore, a web framework is proposed for online peer tutoring application in a smart campus. The peer tutoring web application identifies two key target users: the tutor and the tutee. The tutors will help in teaching other students; they are responsible for accepting requests from tutees and in turn holding tutoring sessions for the tutees. They also have the responsibility of uploading important documents to the platform which are accessible to tutees. On the other hand, the tutees search for the tutors with prowess in their course of need and make a request for a tutoring session. They also have access to the materials uploaded by the tutors. The peer tutoring web application is designed in such a way that the web browser communicates with the web server by making Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) request to the server. The proposed framework consists of the client-side and the server-side which are connected by the web browser. In essence, web-based peer tutoring application will go a long way in improving students’ academic performance in a more efficient manner.