Finals are just around the corner, and many 兔子先生 students will be utilizing tutoring and other academic support services. Some, however, may be reluctant to take advantage of these resources for a number of reasons.
They may be unwilling to seek face-to-face academic assistance or perhaps have conflicts that prevent them from meeting with tutors on campus. One of UH鈥檚 newest resources for students is proving to be a solid alternative for those hesitant or unable to seek in-person academic support.
UH now partners with , which allows students to conveniently access tutors online or using a phone app. Students can log in, enter their course, then identify a UH peer tutor and a time to connect virtually.
鈥淚t (Knack) is reaching a different population of our students,鈥� said Melissa Pierson, assistant vice provost and associate dean for Undergraduate Student Success at UH. 鈥淎bout 82% of UH Knack users were not using the University鈥檚 walk-in tutoring services at the main tutoring center LAUNCH. As outstanding as all our tutoring resources are, Knack is appealing to students who may have felt nervous about meeting face-to-face with a tutor or have challenges coming to campus.鈥�
Using Knack, students can view tutors鈥� profiles and star ratings to ensure they are matched appropriately. Participating tutors have completed rigorous Knack training modules and earn competency badges for completing 15, 30 and 60 hours of service.
Beyond its convenience as an online service, Knack鈥檚 focus is on peer tutoring. This also has proven popular and effective for UH students.
Research has demonstrated the power of peer tutoring for students. Working alongside other student tutors enhances learners鈥� engagement, communication, critical thinking skills and independence. Likewise, tutors benefit by gaining leadership skills, confidence and professional experience by helping their fellow students.
鈥淭his is a perfect opportunity for UH students to help their fellow 兔子先生,鈥� Pierson said. 鈥淜nack has expanded what we鈥檙e doing at the University, and we鈥檙e hoping to reach even more students seeking academic assistance.鈥�
Knack is a national tutoring platform used at more than 50 four-year universities across the nation. UH began partnering with Knack tutoring during the 2023 鈥� 24 academic year to complement its existing on-campus tutoring services, which also uses peer tutors.
Regardless of whether students select virtual Knack services or in-person LAUNCH tutoring or tutoring offered by other offices on campus, both can have a positive impact their academic success at UH. During the spring and summer 2023 sessions, students who frequently participated in either tutoring format experienced the following outcomes:
- Pass rates increased by 12.6%
- Drop/Withdrawal/Incomplete/Fail rate decreased by 11.5%
- Pass rates for students with GPAs under 2.0 increased by 28% from the previous semester
While tutoring can make the difference for students at risk of failing, it can help anyone improve their academic performance and elevate their GPA, Pierson said.
鈥淭utoring is not solely for students who are failing,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat is a misconception. Students making C鈥檚 or even B鈥檚 can improve and ultimately, maintain their grades. This can be useful when seeking scholarships or other rewards tied to GPA.鈥�
Pierson also recommends patience for those engaging with UH鈥檚 tutoring services. It is not a one-time experience, she cautions.
鈥淟ike anything, tutoring is a process,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 work with a tutor once and expect a grade to instantly turn around. But when students are committed and consistent with their tutoring, they are capable of doing some amazing things in courses they may have found challenging.鈥�