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Peer Learning

Peer learning refers to students learning from each other without a teacher's authority. It involves equal status students helping each other learn by explaining concepts to one another. Peer learning has students teach other students through acquiring knowledge and skills. It optimizes learning by creating trust among students and incorporating small collaborative groups. Benefits include improved content knowledge as well as developing lifelong learning, problem solving, communication, and motivation skills. Teachers can apply peer learning by having students make video lessons for classmates, ask and answer each other's questions first before the teacher, and facilitating group collaborations.

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Nimisha Beri
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961 views

Peer Learning

Peer learning refers to students learning from each other without a teacher's authority. It involves equal status students helping each other learn by explaining concepts to one another. Peer learning has students teach other students through acquiring knowledge and skills. It optimizes learning by creating trust among students and incorporating small collaborative groups. Benefits include improved content knowledge as well as developing lifelong learning, problem solving, communication, and motivation skills. Teachers can apply peer learning by having students make video lessons for classmates, ask and answer each other's questions first before the teacher, and facilitating group collaborations.

Uploaded by

Nimisha Beri
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Peer learning essentially refers to students

learning with and from each other as fellow


learners without any implied authority to any
individual, based on the tenet that Students
learn a great deal by explaining their ideas to
others and by participating in activities in which
they can learn from their peers

Peer learning can be defined as the


acquisition of knowledge and skill
through active helping and supporting
among status equals or matched
companions.
It involves people from similar social
groupings who are not professional
teachers helping each other to learn
and learning themselves by so doing.

Main Definition
It is a system of instruction in which
learners help each other and learn
(themselves) by teaching.
It is an instructional system in which
students teach other students.
According to Damon and Phelps, it is an
approach in which one child instructs
another child in material on which the first
is an expert and the second is a novice.
(but this definition is not always consistent).

Main Definition
According to Robert Thomas, it is
the process by which a
competent pupil, with minimal
training and with teachers
guidance, helps one or more
students at the same grade level
learn a simple skill or basic
concept.

Peer learning is optimized when incorporated as an


integral component of a curriculum, paying special
attention to:
Creating a conducive learning environment: Students
must build mutual respect for and trust and
confidence in one another, so that they feel free to
express opinions, test ideas, and ask for, or offer help
when it is needed .
Peer learning can be further enhanced if the
environment of mutual helpcontinues over time
and beyond the classroom .
Learning in small collaborative groups: Many of the
key elements for effective peer learning are often
incorporated in the design of small collaborative
learning groups

How is peer teaching different from pair


learning, cooperative learning, group projects,
etc.?

Cooperative Learning
Content:
The content is structured by
the teacher. Students follow
directions. All must learn the
content.
Instruction:
Students have equal duties
to help group members
learn, and try to raise the
groups achievement level.
Assessment:
Students make mostly
informal judgments about
contributions of other
members as they go along.

Peer Teaching
Content:
The PT can decide what content
comes next, or if prior content
needs to be re-taught to learner(s).
Instruction:
The PT is expected to select and
apply effective approachesways
to raise the achievement level of
their learner(s).
Assessment:
The PT deals directly with
responses from their learner(s)
and gives feedback about their
quality.

Beneficial outcomes
of peer learning
In addition to content knowledge acquisition, peer
learning, especially in small collaborative groups,
nurtures and fosters the development of:
self-directed learning skills, and thus lays the
foundation for life-long continuing self-education;
critical thinking and problem-solving skills;
communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills; and
learning through self, peer assessment and critical
reflection.
Peer learning also strongly motivates learning often
attributed to the fun and joy of learning in small groups.

Merits
Build an active and cooperative learning
environment.
Encourage students to give and receive feedback
and evaluate each others' learning.
Promote positive interdependence and
accountability.
Increase participation, motivation, and student
engagement.
Improve communication skills, achievement, and
productivity.
Promote ownership of learning and deeper
understanding of new concepts.

LIMITATIONS
1. If left to themselves over tutoring
might create a negative situation
instead.
2. Unclear roles can lead to questions
on credibility of tutors.
3. Favouritism in choice of tutors must
be avoided. This could result in overdomineering and all-knowing
reactions of others.

How can a teacher apply


this his in everyday
classroom?

Let students teach each other by having them


make quick video lessons. Students explain
course concepts in ways that make sense to their
classmates, and showing others stengthens their
own understanding and retention.
Enable students to ask and answer each others'
questions, before asking the teacher. Students
join the discussion with text, drawings, and
narrated video responses.
Facilitate group collaboration to discuss issues,
explain viewpoints, and share ideas. Increase the
effectiveness of classroom sharing, especially
when the student-teacher ratio is high or
instructor time is limited.

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