Peer Resources conducts computerized literature searches of published articles, books and other resources associated with peer helping. Peer leaders create resources at the local level which can prove valuable to other peer programs. Particular resources, worthy of special mention, are featured in this column.

Peer tutoring and peer helping share a number of common practices, issues, and ideas and one of the most comprehensive resources on peer tutoring has been prepared by Dr. K.J. Topping of the University of Dundee in Scotland. He has provided us with a preview of his article, The Effectiveness of Peer Tutoring in Further and Higher Education: A Typology and Review of the Literature, soon to be published in Higher Education. The rationale for the article is based on the fact that the quality, outcomes and cost-effectiveness of methods of teaching and learning in colleges and universities are being scrutinized more closely. According to Dr. Topping, "The increasing use of peer tutoring in this context necessitates a clear definition and typology" which he outlines in this work. He discusses the theoretical advantages of peer tutoring and describes some of the research on peer tutoring in schools. Dr. Topping reviews "the substantial existing research on the effectiveness of the many different types and formats of peer tutoring within colleges and universities" and advocates for the dissemination of effective types of peer tutoring to practitioners.

The development of the internet has contributed to an expanded definition of what we might call resources. While we will still feature print and video resources in this column, the existence of interactive resources such as discussion groups, newsgroups and listservs that are now available on the internet deserve our attention. Many of these resources will be of interest to people in the helping field in general and to those of us involved in peer helping specifically.

One of the latest interactive listservs available is called Volunteers. This group (listserv@listserv.aol.com) offers an opportunity to discuss experiences as a volunteer and share resources and tips with other people who value voluntary action and service to the community. All types of volunteers are invited to join: grassroots or formal. All areas of concern: social service, arts, hospital, political, and education, to name a few, are represented. This is a place to share the joys and frustrations, opportunities and accumulated wisdom or to get advice on how to be effective and feel successful as a volunteer. This list is intended for volunteers themselves, but professionals working with volunteers in any capacity are welcome as well.

To subscribe to VOLUNTEERS, send the following command to (listserv@listserv.aol.com) and in the body of the e-mail message: "subscribe VOLUNTEERS yourfirstname yourlastname". (Do not include the quotes.) For example, send an e-mail message that says: "subscribe Volunteers Pierre Trudeau". The owner of the list, is a professional trainer, consultant and publisher on the topic of volunteerism and volunteer management. She offers this list as a contribution to the generous work of volunteers in all our communities.

When everything is going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.

Henry Ford

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