Peer to Peer teaching is quite an old concept. It is based on the Constructivist learning theory that students learn from one another. Peer learning can never be a substitute for teaching, but it is much more effective than the conventional teaching method and supplements the learning activities. It keeps the students engaged and brings out their productivity in a great way.
The techniques of learning can be practiced inside the classroom or outside. Peer to Peer learning creates a flipped classroom emphasizing on information assimilation, rather than information transfer and focuses on the application of classroom learning.
Peer learning is not a single strategy. It incorporates a wide range of activities and the educators, as well as the students, have the liberty to choose as per their likings and utility.
Benefits of Peer learning
● It helps in multiple learning aspects.
● Students get to learn by expressing their ideas and active participation in various activities.
● Due to collaborative learning, their soft skills are also enhanced along with academic knowledge.
● It enables the students to take responsibility for their own learning.
● Effective learning occurs among peers.
● Organizational and planning skills are developed.
● Students are able to evaluate their own learning.
● Students learn to give and receive constructive feedback.
● Students’ problems are addressed and they are given emotional support.
● Receptiveness to learning is increased when students learn from their fellow students.
● A culture of community is fostered with the development of soft skills.
Some of the best Peer to Peer learning practices are:
Senior to Junior
In this practice, senior students teach junior students.
This can be done in two ways:
● An older student from a higher grade level teaches a student from a lower grade level. Formally this practice is called Cross-age peer tutoring. The senior students have two benefits from this practice. One, they can revise the subjects that they are already familiar with. Secondly, they can improve their mentorship and leadership skills.
● In the second practice, the senior student and junior student belong to the same class but the senior has more advanced skills than the junior. The seniors help other students reach up to their levels. The more skilled seniors are also benefited as they get to refine their knowledge and apply it in their explanations.
Peer Study Groups
This activity is an informal way of Peer learning, similar to group study. It is also called Peer support groups, and Private study groups. It does not need the presence of an educator and is organized by the students themselves during free time, after school or on weekends.
This practice is very beneficial to the students as they get motivated to prepare for exams or complete assignments on time. During a group study, students are pushed by their peers to do better. They support and help each other to face academic challenges. Together, they come up with better ideas.
Take turns Teaching
Formally, this practice is called Reciprocal Peer Tutoring (RPT). Here, students collectively teach and learn. Students with the same abilities work together and get turns teaching or they give feedback to each other. Since there are no tutors and tutees, teaching strategies can be shared with the entire class.
Use Think-Pair-Share activities
In this practice, a pair of students are picked from the class. One of them is made the tutor and the other the tutee. Then they are asked to think about a given topic or answer a specific question by themselves which is followed by their result discussions and findings.
Tutors encourage the tutees to articulate their ideas and lead them to credible answers. The pair then shares their thoughts with the rest of the class and invites questions.
This practice helps students develop a conceptual understanding of the topic, the ability to filter information and draw conclusions and consider other points of view.
These activities vary in length giving a flexibility when planning a lesson
It can also be used in spur-of-the moment discussions.
Discussion Seminars
Discussion groups are common in higher education. Students feel free to express themselves in this safe, successful and productive environment under the guidance of the teacher.
The Jigsaw method
This activity is enjoyable and super fun for students. The students are divided into two groups. In the beginning, each group focuses on a different aspect of a particular topic. Then students are shuffled. Now both groups have members from the other group. By doing this, it is ensured that both the groups have students who know about different aspects of that topic very well. Then they are assigned a task which they enjoy doing with all the knowledge by their side.
All these are tried and tested techniques of Peer to Peer learning that engage students and make learning fun for them. These learning practices serve in building a healthy relationship among peers.
