-
-
The main feed showing open help requests, filterable by subject.
-
A dark mode that students can choose.
-
Leaderboard showing top tutors by points earned.
-
Private board about your requests.
-
User profile with subjects you can help with and subjects you need help in.
-
Posting a new help request – cost points to prevent spam.
-
The urgent flag and also how it shows on dashboard.
-
Helper offers to assist; requester sees offer.
-
Requester accepts one offer, then contact info is exchanged.
-
Safety features: report inappropriate behavior or block users.
-
Leave a review.
-
Safety features: report inappropriate behavior about reviews left.
-
You can see the reviews in your profile.
-
Teacher dashboard: view all matches, reports, and warn or ban users.
-
a warning will be shown on the top.
Inspiration
At my school, many students struggle alone. They're too shy to ask for help, or they don't know who to ask. I've been that student. I wanted to build something that makes asking for help feel normal, not embarrassing—something that turns the school "brotherhood" into a real support system.
What it does
PeerTutor is a web platform where students can post requests for help in any subject. Other students can offer to help and earn points. There's no money involved—just a points system that encourages everyone to participate. It includes a teacher dashboard for safety, an urgent flag for exam periods, and a leaderboard to recognize top helpers.
How we built it
I built PeerTutor solo using React for the frontend and Firebase for authentication, database, and hosting. It's a full‑stack app with responsive design, a dark mode toggle, and real‑time updates. I learned to code in February 2026 and finished the first working version a few months later.
Challenges we ran into
The hardest part was trusting myself to build something real. I used AI tools early on, but I realised I was copying code without understanding it. So I publicly confessed on GitHub and rebuilt everything from scratch with genuine understanding. That experience taught me that integrity matters as much as the product.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
I'm proud that PeerTutor is not just an idea—it's a live, working platform that real students at my school can use. After publicly confessing that I'd been copying AI code without understanding it, I rebuilt the entire project from scratch with integrity. That was hard, but it means I can genuinely explain every line of code I've committed. I'm also proud that PeerTutor has safety features built in from the start: a teacher dashboard, a report/block system, and an AI‑powered content filter (in progress) so that help stays respectful and appropriate.
What we learned
I learned that building technology isn't just about the code—it's about trust. If students are going to ask for help publicly, they need to know the space is safe. I also learned that AI is a powerful learning tool, but only if you use it to understand, not to copy. My public confession taught me that integrity is a skill you have to practice, just like coding. On the technical side, I deepened my understanding of React, Firebase, and how to design a fair points economy.
What's next for Peertutor
Right now, PeerTutor is being tested by a small group of students at my school. My next step is to launch it to more users, collect feedback, and keep improving the safety and matching features. I'm also exploring ways to let teachers post official study resources directly on the platform, turning PeerTutor into a central place for both peer support and teacher‑curated materials. In the longer term, I'd love to see PeerTutor adopted by other schools, helping students everywhere feel less alone when they struggle.
Log in or sign up for Devpost to join the conversation.