University of Houston partners with Knack Tutoring for online academic support

Finals are approaching at the University of Houston, and many students are expected to use tutoring and academic support services. However, some may hesitate due to reluctance for face-to-face assistance or scheduling conflicts. A new resource is now available for those who prefer not to seek in-person help.

The university has partnered with Knack tutoring, providing an online platform accessible via phone app. Students can log in, select their course, and connect with a peer tutor virtually.

“It (Knack) is reaching a different population of our students,” said Melissa Pierson, assistant vice provost and associate dean for Undergraduate Student Success at UH. “About 82% of UH Knack users were not using the University’s 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.”

Knack allows students to view tutors’ profiles and ratings to ensure suitable matches. Tutors undergo training modules and earn badges for service hours completed.

Research supports peer tutoring's effectiveness by enhancing engagement, communication, critical thinking skills, and independence among learners. Tutors also gain leadership skills and professional experience.

“This is a perfect opportunity for UH students to help their fellow Coogs,” Pierson said. “Knack has expanded what we’re doing at the University, and we’re hoping to reach even more students seeking academic assistance.”

Knack operates nationally across over 50 universities. UH began its partnership during the 2023-24 academic year alongside existing on-campus LAUNCH services.

Both virtual Knack services and in-person LAUNCH tutoring positively impact student success at UH. During spring and summer 2023 sessions:

- 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

Pierson emphasizes that tutoring benefits all students aiming to improve academically: “Tutoring is not solely for students who are failing,” she said. “That is a misconception. Students making C’s or even B’s can improve and ultimately maintain their grades."

She advises patience when engaging with these services: “Like anything, tutoring is a process,” she said. “You can’t work with a tutor once and expect a grade to instantly turn around."