Advantages of Peer-tutoring in Leading Institutions of Higher Education

Abstract

The priority of the educational system of higher education institutions is the creation of additional resources for the implementation of educational programs and conditions for optimal personal development of future specialists, revealing the inner potential of students. One of the ways to achieve the goal is to establish a peer-tutoring institute. Peer-tutors provide assistance to students who experience difficulties in academic and social activities. It is easier for them to establish contact and informal communication due to a small age difference and the same social status. The period of adaptation of first-year students to the process of studying at the university is one of the most important in the development and formation of the student's personality. In this process, peer-tutors give the right orientation in the system of social relations. Such an orientation determines the student's social status for a long time, the vector of his or her development. Since tutoring activity is essentially a pedagogical activity, peer-tutors develop their communication, organizational and creative abilities while working, and improve their professional pedagogical skills. This experience of pedagogical work has a positive effect on the development of the tutors themselves as professionals, gives an opportunity to try their hand as a teacher. Peer-tutoring support provides effective conditions for the development of a socially active, responsible, independent, creative, initiative personality. In addition, such interaction of participants in the educational process contributes to the successful socialization of students. Peer-tutoring has positive academic and social and emotional benefits for both students and their tutors. Students make connections with peers that would never have been made outside of tutorials. The main content of the educational process is manifested in the involvement of students in the system of humanistic values, the development of moral and aesthetic ideals in them, training them to morally evaluate their actions, as well as teaching them the right choice of behavior in difficult life situations.