What is a Peer Buddy?
This web site has been created as a flexible tool to enable teachers across the state to create, implement, improve, and maintain effective peer buddy programs within their schools. Each teacher will choose which materials to use for the class and make decisions regarding how students will use the chosen materials. Much of the information provided through this website was inspired by the work of Erik Carter, a pioneer in the field of peer buddy inclusion practices. A book by Carter and Carolyn Hughes, Peer Buddy Programs for Successful Secondary Inclusion, available from Brookes Publishing, provides in depth information on implementing a peer buddy program for those who are interested in beginning one at their school.
This web site is meant to be used as a supplement to your class. By no means are the grades from the assignments on this site to be the only grades that peer buddies receive. Before using the site with the peer buddies, teachers should go through the site and become familiar with all of the module content. After you become familiar with what the site has to offer, you can decide to incorporate the module assignments into the overall grade for the class. A sample syllabus is available for your use, but please modify it to accommodate your needs.
When you conduct peer buddy training, normally the first week of school, you probably go over the class syllabus and discuss grading. If you do decide to use the site, then you should take time to go over how to use it and how you will be incorporating the modules into the class.
Each module has a main title. Within each module are several sub-units. After reading and exploring web connections for each sub-unit, peer buddies will be instructed to complete one or more activities. Upon completion of each activity, the student will then turn the product into you. How these activities are used in grades, and if all activities in each module are to be completed, is up to you. Because each module has several embedded links, including videos and resources needed to complete several of the activities, we recommend that students complete each module on line.
Also, for the sake of simplicity we have chosen to discontinue the quiz function found on the original KY Peer Tutoring website, but teachers should feel free to test students on the material.
As you individualize your syllabus for your peer buddy program, consider giving a culminating activity or final project. This site provides suggestions for final projects from which peer buddies can choose. These ideas are found in the “For Students” section of the site. Feel free to modify any of these assignments.
Teachers and administrators can use this site to:
- develop new programs
- refine current programs
- give assignments, develop new assignments
- get new ideas to use and find links for related information
Peer buddies can use this site to:
- learn more about people with disabilities and related issues
- gain new ideas for connecting with their peer buddy
- find links to resources
- assist, with permission, in development of assignments for their other courses (however, student confidentiality should always be observed)
Click on the appropriate link to the left to navigate through the website and become familiar with the related documents. Also for additional information on the ways in which students can participate as peer buddies (either through the formal Peer Buddy Elective course, or by participating as a Peer Buddy in an academic course in which the student is already receiving regular academic credit), click on the Frequently Asked Questions in this Section.
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