Peer learning can give students an engaging learning experience

Students can learn from their peers in a similar way as they learn from adult teachers. Peer teachers can also come away with a deeper understanding of the material. [iStockphoto]

Last Tuesday, I organised a colloquium where students presented their research projects to their peers and a handful of teachers. The work was then critiqued by peers. Teachers mostly sat back, guiding where necessary and asking questions. And boy, wasn’t it amazing watching them feed off each other, so to speak?! It got me thinking about the whole idea of peer teaching. How wonderful a strategy it can be if well executed.

To some, being taught by a peer may be a foreign concept—although it’s likely that you have experienced peer teaching in informal settings or on smaller scales. In fact, peer teaching has become increasingly revered as a pedagogical strategy and is becoming common for a good reason. It offers some important benefits for learners and instructors alike. Being taught by a peer can break down barriers that may affect some students and can create a more engaging learning experience. Peer teachers can also benefit from the process.