After viewing the provided resources, I chose to dig a little deeper into Peer-to-Peer Learning and have spent the week thinking about various ways it might be applied in higher education. As I’ve dug deeper into various definitions, benefits and approaches I’ve been introduced to other potential audiences that would, because of the affordances that technology provides, find significant benefit from well-organized Peer-to-Peer Learning opportunities.

In the publication “Peer Learning in Higher Education” (Boud, 2001), it states that “Peer learning should be mutually beneficial and involve the sharing of knowledge, ideas and experience between the participants.” Provided through various models, the common thread is that students are learning through not only searching for and organizing what they will present or share with others, but also by explaining their ideas to others, receiving and giving feedback and through self-evaluation of their work.

Peer-to-peer learning may take more informal approaches. In a blog post on “Woodland Owner Networks”, the author explains what is peer-to-peer-to-peer learning in the context of providing learning experiences for landowners by saying “People are more likely to hear and internalize messages, and thus to change their attitudes and behaviors, if they believe the messenger is similar to them and faces the same concerns and pressures.”  This article included this clear, concise description of Peer-to-Peer Learning this way:

1. Spreads information through formal or informal social networks;
2. Involves two-way (or more) communication;
3. Recognizes that every participant can be a teacher and a learner;
4. Is community- and participant-driven; and
5. Can occur through either an ongoing forum or one-time exchange.

This article also explained the benefits of peer-to-peer learning. To paraphrase the list from that blog, benefits include:

• Peers share similar goals, issues and experiences
• Peers are often seen as “credible, unbiased, and trusted sources of information”
• Peers speak the same language and may be able to explain information to each other in a way that is more easily understood.
• Peers may be easier to connect with since they may share common social networks or communities.

The most compelling reason to further explore best practices for creating and guiding Peer-to-Peer Learning came from a Tedx talk which is embedded below. In it, Bodo Hoenen describes how a combination of peer-to-peer learning supported by technology can take advantage of the natural curiosity of children and their desire to learn to improve literacy and learning world-wide.  Using technology to provide peer-to-peer learning opportunities, he explains how even those with no knowledge of technology or literacy can benefit through creative uses of technology and peer-to-peer learning strategies.

View it here:

Cited:

Peer Learning in Higher Education: Learning From & With Each Other, edited by David Boud, Ruth Cohen & Jane Sampson. Published by Kogan Page Limited 120 Pentonville Road, London N1 9JN, UK and Stylus Publishing Inc. 

Self Directed, Peer-to-peer Learning Can Teach the World | Bodo Hoenen | TEDxLoyolaMarymountU. YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGEN8-O18_0

What is peer-to-peer learning? Retrieved from: https://woodlandownernetworks.wordpress.com/2008/06/25/overview/

The Benefits of Peer Learning. Retrieved from: http://www.cimaglobal.com/Students/Student-e-magazine/Velocity-October-2014/The-Benefits-of-Peer-Learning/