A partnership that provides free, unlimited tutoring services gives students a chance to boost their peers’ academic success.
College courses are designed to challenge students and push them to new academic heights. And when dealing with difficult subjects and new materials, additional academic support can make all the difference.
That’s where Knack comes in. Starting in fall 2024, George Mason University entered a three-year partnership with Knack, a peer-to-peer tutoring platform. Through Knack, students in any of the 28 participating courses can get up to three hours of free virtual or in-person tutoring from their peers every week during the semester. Participating courses span math, statistics, biology, chemistry, business, economics, and public health.
“We are transforming the support for student success at George Mason by fostering a collaborative learning environment that empowers students to excel academically,” said Vicki Dominick, associate director of George Mason’s Learning Services office, which offers a variety of academic success supports for students, including academic success workshops, online resources and coaching. “This is an innovative model that aligns with our mission to provide accessible, impactful academic resources for all students.”
Knack does not replace other tutoring services offered by George Mason, Dominick noted. It is an additional resource, allowing more options for meeting times and places. Currently, close to 3,000 students are registered with Knack tutoring, and almost 1,500 tutoring sessions were completed last fall semester. The initiative supports up to 10,000 enrollment seats per semester, ensuring that academic assistance is available to a large number of students.
Praise for a Positive Experience
Faculty members have noticed Knack’s impact on student performance. Gerald Weatherspoon, associate dean for undergraduate and graduate student affairs and associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, said that “students enrolled in my CHEM 212 greatly appreciated having access to qualified tutors who could meet with them during nonstandard hours. In addition, students indicated that the Knack tutors reinforced concepts, provided additional problem-solving strategies, and enhanced the overall learning experience for the course.”
Sophomore biology major Khushneet Kaur Kainth agreed. “For my chemistry class, there’s always many students attending office hours, so I don’t get the one-on-one help I need. I’ve been able to get personalized support through Knack. My tutor explains concepts step by step and assigns practice problems that help me understand the material better.”
There are benefits for the tutors as well. It offers an opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and enhance their own academic journeys. Tutoring through Knack is a paid position, and tutors are required to have passed the class for which they are a tutor with an A- or higher within the last two years.
“Knack is an instrumental piece of our evolving academic support for our undergraduate students. This is directly in line with George Mason’s mission of access to education,” said Keith Renshaw, senior associate provost for undergraduate education and professor of psychology. “It gives the tutors ‘high-impact practice,’ as they gain hands-on experience teaching complex concepts and problem-solving strategies.”
Senior biology major Anahita Salehkhou is a tutor for BIOL 213 - Cell Structure and Function, and said of her tutoring experience, “it has given me the perfect opportunity to share my passion for teaching while strengthening my resume as I prepare to apply for dental school. It’s also helping me prepare for the dental admissions test as I get a good refresher on content I’ve already learned and studied.”
Written by University Life staff