Student Mentors: How 6th and 12th Graders Learn From Each Other

Bang, Marisa

CO-Collaboration Strategies

Quillen, I. (2013). Student mentors: How 6^th and 12^th graders learn from each other. Mind/Shift Howe We Learn. Retrieved from http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/03/student-mentors-how-6th-and-12th-graders-learn-from-each-other/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29

Summary: This article talks about the collaboration between the middle school students and high school students. When Tracy Edwards needed a part-time writing instructor for her middle school program, Kip Glazer applied her 100 senior high school English students to be their virtual mentors. This method allowed the middle school students to write in a digital environment (iRemix platform) while the high school students would comment on their work and help in assessing and even reflecting on their own part. This virtual mentor-student relationship was a success. The students were responsive to each other’s advice.

Evaluation/Opinion: Instead of hiring another part-time teacher, it makes sense to allow another class to chime in and help. This virtual learning environment is a brilliant idea because not only are the students improving in their class, but it is also improving their information literacy as well as computer literacy. It’s win-win situation. Both parties are given the opportunity to learn from one another and it also teaches them to work collaboratively together and solve problems as a team.