HILT 2019 Conference: Making Peer Learning Effective

TL;DR

Teachers can become researchers in their own classrooms by implementing peer learning and collaborative research projects, with student feedback and data as valuable sources of information.

Transcript

Welcome. Thank you for coming to this session and what the research says. I'm really excited to dive into some of the findings that I have summarized for you, and done my best to summarize for you, and see how you can think about them impacting your practice. So I recognize and celebrate that most of the people in this room, or a good portion of th... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🏫 Teachers can take on the role of researchers in their own classrooms to improve teaching practices.
• 👨‍🔬 Peer learning is a valuable component of education research, promoting problem-solving and collaboration skills.
• 👨‍🔬 Various methods, such as collaborative research projects and student feedback, can be employed to gather data for education research.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can teachers incorporate research methods into their classrooms?

Teachers can engage in collaborative research projects, where students work together to investigate a chosen topic, determine research methods, and analyze data. This approach allows for a more active and meaningful learning experience.

Q: Why is peer learning an important aspect of education research?

Peer learning promotes problem-solving skills, encourages awareness and acceptance of different perspectives, and fosters an understanding of the social nature of knowledge creation. It can enhance students' ability to work together and contribute to collective knowledge.

Q: What are some methods that teachers can use to gather data for education research?

Teachers can collect data through various methods, such as analyzing exam scores, assessing student attitudes through surveys, tracking homework completion time, conducting focus group discussions, and using reaction cards or online platforms for immediate feedback.

Q: How can students be involved in education research?

Students can serve as consultants or co-researchers, providing insights and feedback on the effectiveness of teaching practices. They can participate in focus group discussions, collect data from their peers, and contribute to the improvement of courses through their input and research activities.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Many individuals in the field of education support learning in various roles, but it's important to also understand the perspective of being an instructor.

• Teachers can use their own classrooms as research labs to gain insights into effective teaching practices, particularly in relation to peer learning.

• Collaborative research projects, peer-to-peer learning activities, and student feedback can all contribute to improving teaching and learning experiences.