Peer Interactions
A page within Center for Advancing Teaching and Learning (CATL)
Peer interactions enrich student learning and development. These interactions, as a social learning process, expose students to diverse perspectives and problem-solving approaches, enhancing understanding and critical thinking. Engaging with peers helps students articulate and defend their ideas, and appreciate others' viewpoints. This not only reinforces their own understanding but also develops vital social and interpersonal skills like effective communication, conflict resolution, and teamwork. Such collaboration fosters a sense of community, reducing isolation and boosting engagement and motivation, leading to a more active participation and a richer educational experience.
Understanding Student Responses
Students might perceive that peer interactions are supported in your class for several reasons:
- Structured Opportunities for Interaction: The course includes a variety of structured activities and assignments that encouraged and required peer interaction.
- Effective Group Dynamics: Group activities are well-managed, fostering productive dynamics and balanced participation among students.
- Ample Guidance for Collaboration: Instructors provide comprehensive guidance and support to facilitate effective peer collaboration.
- Manageable Class Size: The class size is conducive to facilitating meaningful interactions among students.
- Interactive Online Format: The online format of the course is designed to support and encourage interaction among students.
- Accommodation of Personal Preferences: The course offers a balance between individual and group work, catering to different student preferences and enhancing the value of peer interactions.
Teaching Strategy Toolbox
Instructors can improve peer interactions and enhance student perceptions of the learning environment through the strategies listed below. We recommend building on what you are already doing and incorporating strategies selectively.
- Group Projects: Assign group projects where students must work together to achieve a common goal. These projects can range from research papers to presentations, encouraging collaboration, communication, and the sharing of diverse ideas and skills.
- Peer Review Exercises: Implement peer review exercises where students are tasked with providing constructive feedback on each other's work. But remember that students don’t always understand what effective feedback is or how to deliver it, so provide clear instruction and scaffold student’s understanding of the feedback process. This not only fosters peer interaction but also helps students learn from one another.
- Collaborative Discussion Forums: Utilize online discussion forums or platforms where students can collaboratively discuss course topics, share resources, and engage in intellectual debate, thereby enhancing their understanding through peer insights.
- Breakout Sessions During Class: During class, use breakout sessions where students work in small groups on specific tasks or problem-solving activities. This can be particularly effective in large classes to ensure active participation from all students. This practice also enhances equity for non-traditional students or others who may have difficulty meeting outside of class.
- Role-Playing and Simulations: Incorporate role-playing activities or simulations that require students to work together in teams, simulating real-world scenarios. This approach can make learning more engaging and applicable to practical situations.
- Clear Guidelines for Group Work: Provide explicit instructions and guidelines for group work, including the roles and responsibilities of each member, expected outcomes, and timelines. This clarity helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures that all students are on the same page. Assigning roles for each group member can help facilitate effective communication and improve group climate. As an instructor, you may provide these guidelines/roles, but getting students involved in setting group guidelines/roles may increase the likelihood they internalize and take ownership of the process. If feasible, dedicate class time for face-to-face work for group projects.
- Training in Communication and Collaboration: Offer training or workshops on effective communication, collaboration, and teamwork skills at the beginning of the course. This can include strategies for active listening, constructive feedback, and respectful dialogue.
- Conflict Resolution Resources: Equip students with conflict resolution strategies and resources. This could involve guidelines on how to handle disagreements within the group and when to seek intervention from the instructor. You may even want to encourage each group to come up with their own set of norms or guidelines.
- Regular Check-Ins and Support: Schedule frequent and regular check-ins with each group to monitor their progress, address any challenges they are facing, and provide support or mediation if necessary.
- Peer Evaluation Component: Include a peer evaluation component in the assessment of group work. This encourages accountability among group members and provides insights into the dynamics and contributions within the group.
- Structured Debate Sessions: Organize structured debate sessions where students are divided into groups to discuss different sides of a topic. Provide clear guidelines to ensure that the debates remain respectful and constructive.
- Discussion-Based Assignments: Design assignments that require students to engage in discussions, either in online forums or in-class. These discussions can be based on course readings, current events, or case studies relevant to the course material.
- Adopting Personas: Use role-playing activities where students take on different personas or viewpoints. This encourages them to explore and articulate diverse perspectives, enhancing their understanding and empathy.
- Socratic Seminars: Implement Socratic seminars, a method of discussion based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas. This format encourages deep, thoughtful discussion rather than surface-level debate.
- Guided Group Reflections: After discussions or debates, conduct guided group reflections where students can share their experiences, what they learned, and how their perspectives might have changed. This helps in reinforcing respectful listening and open-mindedness.
- Interactive Discussion Boards: Utilize online discussions in Canvas for students to engage in asynchronous discussions. Encourage regular posting and interaction and consider integrating these discussions into the grading rubric to emphasize their importance.
- Video Conferencing for Live Sessions: In hybrid or online courses, use video conferencing tools for live class sessions or group meetings. This allows for real-time interaction and discussion, helping to create a more connected and interactive learning environment.
- Collaborative Online Platforms: Employ collaborative platforms like Microsoft Teams where students can work together on projects, share resources, and communicate in real-time, fostering a sense of community and teamwork.
- Virtual Breakout Rooms: During live video sessions, use breakout rooms to divide students into smaller groups for discussions or group work. This feature can mimic in-person group interactions and is particularly useful for class debates, brainstorming sessions, or peer reviews.
- Multimedia Tools for Peer Presentations: Encourage students to use multimedia tools for group presentations or projects. Tools like Prezi, Canva, or video editing software can enhance creativity and engagement, allowing students to collaborate effectively and present their work in dynamic ways.
- Scheduled Progress Check-Ins: Establish regular intervals for checking in with each group to monitor their progress. During these check-ins, discuss their achievements, any challenges they are facing, and provide guidance or resources as needed.
- Open Communication Channels: Create open lines of communication where groups can reach out for help or guidance between scheduled check-ins. This could be through email, a dedicated online forum, or a messaging platform.
- Feedback Loops: After check-ins or major group milestones, provide timely and constructive feedback. This feedback should not only address the content of their work but also the dynamics and collaboration within the group.
- Conflict Resolution Support: Offer support and strategies for conflict resolution. If a group is struggling with internal conflicts, be prepared to mediate and help them find effective solutions.
- Peer Assessment Mechanisms: Implement peer assessment within groups, where members can anonymously evaluate each other's contributions. This can help identify issues like unequal participation and provide insights for the instructor to address specific group dynamics.
- Intentional Group Formation: When forming groups, intentionally mix students from different backgrounds, majors, and perspectives. Use information from student introductions, surveys, or class interactions to create diverse groups that can benefit from varied viewpoints and experiences. Other times, however, it may be beneficial to allow students to self-select group members based on perceived similar interests, compatible schedules, and/or comfort levels. Allowing students to self-select may also support students’ sense of autonomy in the classroom.
- Randomized Group Assignments: Utilize random group assignment methods at times to prevent cliques and encourage students to interact with peers they might not choose on their own. This can lead to unexpected and enriching collaborations.
- Rotating Group Members: Periodically rotate group members for different assignments or activities throughout the course. This approach ensures that students have the opportunity to work with a wide range of classmates, exposing them to diverse ideas and ways of thinking.
- Cultural Awareness Activities: Incorporate activities that encourage students to share and learn about each other's cultural backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. This can deepen understanding and appreciation of diversity within the group.
- Guided Discussions on Diversity: Facilitate guided discussions or reflections on the value of diversity in learning and problem-solving. Encourage students to consider how different perspectives contributed to their group's process and outcomes.
Contact Us
CATL staff members are here to support your teaching improvement efforts and would enjoy meeting with you to discuss how to tailor strategies for your unique learning environments. Contact us to arrange a consultation.