Peer Instruction
and Active Learning
November 10th, 2023
Jared Marx-Kuo
&
Alexandra Stavrianidi
LIT Workshop
pollev.com/ekaeli200
Active learning is ”anything that involves students doing things and thinking about what they are doing”
Bonwell CC & JA Eison (1991). Active Learning: Creating excitement in the classroom. Washington, DC: The George Washington University, School of Education and Human Development.
pollev.com/ekaeli200
The average attention span of a human dropped from 12 seconds in 2000 to 8.25 seconds in 2023. One second less than a goldfish!
pollev.com/ekaeli200
There will be multiple active learning strategies discussed today. Don’t worry about implementing them all!
ACTIVE LEARNING
Critical Thinking
Teamwork
ACTIVE LEARNING
Critical Thinking
Teamwork
Problem-based learning (PBL) is a teaching approach that challenges students to learn concepts/principles by applying them to real-life problems.
ACTIVE LEARNING
Critical Thinking
Teamwork
In inquiry-based labs, students “engage in many of the same activities and thinking processes as scientists.”
ACTIVE LEARNING
Critical Thinking
Teamwork
Cooperative learning is “the instructional use of small groups so that students work together to maximize their own and each other’s learning”
ACTIVE LEARNING
Critical Thinking
Teamwork
Eric Mazur on Peer Instruction
Benefits & Challenges of Peer Learning
Consider experiences you have had as a student or dynamics you have observed as a TA. Take a few minutes to reflect on the following questions:
Have you used Peer Instruction /Active Learning before as a TA? In what ways? Was it effective?
How have had experiences with Peer Instruction / Active Learning in the past? What were the benefits or disadvantages?
Benefits & Challenges of Peer Learning
Share your answers with your group and get ready to share with the larger group!
Record Benefits | Challenges on the provided sheet of paper under the corresponding columns.
Common benefits of peer learning :
Common challenges of peer learning:
1. Specify learning objectives, and offer timely and targeted feedback on learning progress.
2. Guide and assess inclusive and equitable peer dynamics.
In practice: monitor for equity, provide feedback to students. Don’t just sit at your desk while your students engage in active learning!
How can we try to capture and amplify the benefits of peer instruction / minimize or eliminate the challenges?
Jigsaw Ex: Section Worksheets
pollev.com/alexandrasta983
How likely are you (honestly) to implement Peer Learning in your next teaching opportunity?
pollev.com/alexandrasta983
pollev.com/alexandrasta983
Results!
To you, what are the biggest challenges in the implementing peer learning? What would mitigate these challenges??
Discuss with your neighbor!
Person who speaks first: First name comes last alphabetically
Reporter: First name comes first alphabetically
“
Commit to making 1 change in your teaching to incorporate elements of peer learning !
Discuss with your neighbor. Your neighbor can be your accountability partner in implementing these changes!
Person who speaks first: woke up first in the morning
Reporter: woke up last in the morning
“
Thank you!!