Why Peer Learning is important?
-Sugata Mitra
What is Peer Learning?
‘Peer learning refers to students learning with and from the help of their fellow learners without any implied authority to any individual’. Based on this quote by David Boud, 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 is learner-centred education that transcends content knowledge acquisition. Peer learning provides a more value-added, holistic and quality-enhancing education that will better prepare students for the needs of the workforce in this coming years.
What are the benefits of Peer learning?
In addition to content researching, peer learning also nurtures and fosters the development of:
1. Adaptability- A student with the qualities of adaptability and flexibility will be able to acclimate to new situations and challenges.
2. Entrepreneurialism- This skill will help the students to invent their own careers.
3. Metacognition- When a student practices metacognition; the act of thinking about their thinking, it helps them make greater sense of their life experiences and start achieving at higher levels.
4. Communication- An important aspect of learning is for students to be able to communicate what they know, or think they know. If they excel in communication, they can express themselves better and climb the stairs of success with ease.
5. Collaboration- Encouraging students to reach out to each other to solve problems and share knowledge not only builds collaboration skills, it leads to deeper learning and understanding.
6. Applied Thinking- It is a key skill that students need to have in order to become lifelong learners and self-advocates for themselves.
At PICT, we facilitate Peer Learning.
We, at PICT, believe that there is a necessity to shift the paradigm from teacher- centric pedagogy to
We, at PICT, believe that there is a necessity to shift the paradigm from teacher- centric pedagogy to
student-centric learning in which learners are equipped to take greater initiatives and responsibility to control their own learning process. One of the key aspects of child-centric education is Peer Learning. Reflecting on concepts in groups help a learner develop greater adaptability, collaboration, communication, applied thinking and metacognition.
Educators at PICT practices the pedagogy of Peer Learning in Classroom Teaching. Learners are given opportunities in the classroom to interact with their peers through a wide range of activities such as quiz, lab activity, role plays, extempore speeches, debates, poster making etc.. This practice motivates our learners to ‘think hard’ as well as provides the comfort of their peers to take up the challenges which otherwise they would shy away from.
How it helps our learners?
Learners are able to gain a fresh perspective on various topics when they are with their peers. The exchange of study notes and techniques scaffolds individual learning. At PICT, learners construct their own knowledge so, learning becomes ‘meaningful’ and this is achieved by researching, analysing, evaluating and applying the information with the help of their ‘peers’ to complete any given assignment. Immersing themselves in constructive conversations also provides a platform to grow emotionally and socially as well.
After having a designated time to share their views with their peers, in every period of instruction, the learners are encouraged to consolidate and demonstrate their learning in multiple ways. This way the learners equip themselves to communicate and collaborate, sharpen their problem solving and critical thinking skills, enhance their networking and team building skills. The educators make sure that the learners have a fruitful time with their peers and to build concepts comprehensively after weighing the opinions and perception of their peers.
Educators at PICT practices the pedagogy of Peer Learning in Classroom Teaching. Learners are given opportunities in the classroom to interact with their peers through a wide range of activities such as quiz, lab activity, role plays, extempore speeches, debates, poster making etc.. This practice motivates our learners to ‘think hard’ as well as provides the comfort of their peers to take up the challenges which otherwise they would shy away from.
How it helps our learners?
Learners are able to gain a fresh perspective on various topics when they are with their peers. The exchange of study notes and techniques scaffolds individual learning. At PICT, learners construct their own knowledge so, learning becomes ‘meaningful’ and this is achieved by researching, analysing, evaluating and applying the information with the help of their ‘peers’ to complete any given assignment. Immersing themselves in constructive conversations also provides a platform to grow emotionally and socially as well.
After having a designated time to share their views with their peers, in every period of instruction, the learners are encouraged to consolidate and demonstrate their learning in multiple ways. This way the learners equip themselves to communicate and collaborate, sharpen their problem solving and critical thinking skills, enhance their networking and team building skills. The educators make sure that the learners have a fruitful time with their peers and to build concepts comprehensively after weighing the opinions and perception of their peers.
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