Using peer learning to create a more active classroom (1)

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Using peer learning to create a more active
classroom
Peer learning is a process in which students gain
information and skills by actively assisting and
supporting one another. Rather than instructors
teaching students, students educate their peers
as part of a two-way learning process to help
each other comprehend the curriculum in peer
learning. Peer learning may take many different
forms. In some schools, older students teach
younger kids in others, a buddy system is used.
Other courses may require students to join groups
and construct a presentation to train on a
specific subject. It changes the instruction from
a one-way lecture to a two-way dialogue. However,
like any other teaching approach, peer learning
has advantages and disadvantages. The Advantages
of Peer Learning It encourages active
learning. One of the most significant benefits
of peer learning is that it transforms learning
from a passive to an active activity. Instead of
just digesting knowledge, students are now
expected to lecture, teach, discuss, argue, and
answer questions about the content. Students who
educate their peers may detect gaps in their
knowledge and better grasp the subject topic via
peer learning. It improves social
skills. Students will learn how to cooperate and
engage with their peers, which will help them
build social skills. Rather than passively
receiving lectures, students will have to
collaborate to share material with their
classmates. Peer learning, in particular models,
may also foster community and collaboration as
students work together toward a shared
objective. It boosts confidence. Students who
are uncomfortable socialising in big groups may
feel more at ease conversing one-on-one. Working
with someone they can identify allows them to
more readily ask questions, work through complex
difficulties, and gain confidence in their
abilities.
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Disadvantages of Peer-to-Peer Learning Untrained
Student Instructors One disadvantage of students
teaching each other is their lack of teaching
expertise. It takes experience to figure out the
best approach to present information
intelligibly. Due to inexperience, teaching
students may provide incorrect answers,
imprecise feedback, or confusing
directions. Various Learning Outcomes Another
disadvantage of peer learning is that the
teaching process cannot be entirely supervised.
Due to a wide variety of teaching talents and a
grasp of the content, some students may achieve
more excellent educational results than others
when you are not actively teaching. Peer
Learning Best Practices Even for seasoned
educators, peer learning can be a messy process.
However, there are some tactics you can use to
guarantee that the peer learning experience is
active, productive, and valuable for everyone
involved. Here are some basic strategies to
improve the effectiveness of peer
learning Describe How to Provide
Feedback Getting students to offer constructive
feedback might be difficult since most students
model instruction after adult role models or how
they were taught. Before dividing students into
peer learning groups, go through how to offer
constructive criticism and what characteristics
students should look for. A rubric may assist
students in having a document to refer to while
criticising their classmates. Feedback should be
as explicit as feasible and offered in the
context of meeting the assignment's objectives.
Teach students to provide either positive or
constructive feedback. Teaching students how to
deliver criticism may also help them improve
their social skills and become more
compassionate towards one another. Encourage
Peer-to-Peer Tutoring Instead of having one
student teach the whole time, have students swap
off teaching one other as they go through a list
of subjects. This helps to improve both their
teaching and listening abilities. This also
encourages students to learn concurrently and
contribute equally to each other's
learning. Make Peer Learning Huddles One method
for making this teaching style work is to form
and manage peer learning groups. Students must
be provided clear instructions on how to work
together and cooperatively. To optimise this
teaching technique, teachers must jointly
prepare the sorts of issues that students will
solve. There are many methods for facilitating
peer learning with the following groups Groups
for Active Learning Assign a subject to each
small group of students. Active learning allows
students to absorb knowledge, discuss questions,
and produce tangible activities toward addressing
a specific issue or accomplishing a goal.
Functional learning groups are particularly
beneficial for STEAM themes such as constructing
a trebuchet or a bridge out of popsicle sticks.
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Debates Debates are formal activities in which
students attempt to persuade their classmates of
their points of view. They may be done in both
small and large groups. Positions are either
self-selected or allocated at random. Debates
follow a set framework, with each side issuing a
specific time to present their case. The
competitive aspect of a debate motivates
students to research a subject and employ
critical thinking and reasoning
abilities. Group Discussions In discussion
groups, students are encouraged to interact
actively with their peers' points of view. Form
groups of students and have them take turns
debating a subject. Discussions are less formal
than debates however, students can contribute
criticism to others while discussing. Typically,
discussion groups consist of two or more
students. Thank You.