Research-Backed Trainings
To help students adopt more effective, learner-centered teaching methods, we developed online, scalable trainings. We tested their efficacy by conducting two randomized control experiments with 198 middle school math students. The resulting shift in student behaviors significantly boosted tutee learning.
Students taught by trained peers achieved post-test scores 30% higher than students taught by untrained peers.
Joanne Weiss, Former Chief of Staff for Arne Duncan
“This is amazing. The whole training package is great. I haven’t seen anything like this. Everybody’s doing poorly thought out ad hoc tutoring stuff. But not this.”
Betha Macclain, Superintendent @ Cloverdale Unified School District
“What makes PeerTeach particularly impactful is its ability to diagnose gaps for students, identify classmates who are best-suited to support, and then facilitate productive interaction. Teachers can easily train students to help each other effectively and then use the system’s curricular materials to facilitate peer coaching.
PeerTeach could revolutionize how K-12 educators structure learning. The cost is a small fraction of typical tutoring and it offers clear additional benefits, like cultivating students to be empathetic and talented communicators.”
Data-Driven Systems
Our research team partnered with middle school teachers to design self-sustaining classrooms with peer tutoring as a central focus. In our 5-month study, we found convincing evidence for the viability of tech-mediated peer tutoring as an antidote to key challenges of Group Learning.
Over 300+ sessions, student proficiency increased from 38% to 65%.
Mary Reynolds, Principal @ Miwok Elementary Charter School
“Last year, I saw so many ways that students and teachers benefited from PeerTeach. Students’ confidence in mathematics increased along with levels of engagement and perseverance. We saw positive learning outcomes in both conceptual and procedural mathematics.
PeerTeach also supports the development of positive mathematical mindsets for students as it strengthens students’ communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills.”
Nutan Ursekar, Parent @ Gurukul Middle School
“PeerTeach is a study in patience, cooperation and confidence. Not knowing something, then learning or teaching it to your peers, is a wonderful concept.”
Human-Centered Design
We design effective classroom solutions by centering teacher and student voices in the research process. Our teacher interface is the result of years of user testing and feedback. Our galaxy-themed, gamified student interface was designed with focus groups of middle school students. Honed over 6 years at Stanford University, our Centripetal Designed-Based Research (CDBR) framework continues to shape PeerTeach into one of the most promising intervention models in education.
Randy Challa, 6th Grade Student @ Gurukul Middle School
“I tutored my friend and when he took the test, he called me and said, ‘Thank you!’ He was really happy. His score went up a lot, and he felt like the test was easier.
I've never taught like that to anyone before. I feel so proud!”
Kathleen Garvey, 8th Grade Teacher @ Petaluma City Schools
Kathleen first used PeerTeach in her classroom when students were learning remotely. In this video, she describes the impact that consistent peer tutoring had on her students.
