Essential Peer Teaching in action

Essential Peer Teaching

Peer teaching involves students teaching other students, sharing their knowledge, skills, and understanding. It is an effective method for deepening comprehension and fostering collaborative learning environments.

Essential peer teaching consists of the questions that students ‘can’t do without’. Here are the three essential ‘before,’ two essential ‘during,’ and two essential ‘after’ screens that would benefit students the most as they peer teach:

Peer Teaching before a session

1. How can I prepare to teach this material to my partner?

   • Preparation is crucial for effective teaching. This question encourages the student to plan and organise the material, ensuring they understand it thoroughly before attempting to teach others.

2. Have I set a clear objective for what I want my partner to learn?

   • Setting clear objectives helps the student focus on key learning outcomes, making the teaching session more structured and goal-oriented.

3. What steps do I need to take to effectively teach this material?

   • This question prompts the student to think about the teaching process, including breaking down the material into manageable parts and considering the best methods to convey the information.

Peer Teaching during a session

1. Am I engaging my partner and keeping them on track with the lesson?

   • Engagement is vital for effective learning. This question encourages the student to monitor their partner’s engagement and adjust their teaching methods to maintain interest and focus.

2. How can I adjust my teaching approach if my partner is not understanding the material?

   • Flexibility is important in teaching. This question prompts the student to be responsive to their partner’s needs and adapt their approach to ensure comprehension.

Peer Teaching after a session

1. Did my partner achieve the learning objectives for this session?

   • Reflecting on whether the learning objectives were met helps the student assess the effectiveness of their teaching and identify areas for improvement.

2. How can I improve my teaching methods for future peer teaching sessions?

   • Continuous improvement is essential for developing teaching skills. This question encourages the student to reflect on their teaching experience and think about how they can enhance their approach in future sessions.

These questions are designed to guide the student through the entire peer teaching process, from preparation to execution to reflection, ensuring they consider all aspects of effective peer teaching.