New Insights

In the past few classes, I have noticed how some of the stronger students (those who find the electrical material easier to learn or comprehend) step up and assist the students who are struggling in the labs.

I really hadn't paid much attention to it until I started researching "Peer Learning" for this module.

I see that these students were sharing what they have just learned with their counterparts, and in the process helped to strengthen their own understanding of the material while assisting their lab partners to further comprehend the new concepts. Additionally I saw that the students who were sharing their knowledge were describing it in terms that they understood and I believe that this benefited the other students because they were exposed to another viewpoint, or another way of looking at the material.

This goes back to what Glenn had mentioned, (I'm paraphrasing) "We teach the way we learn".

Another amusing moment occurred when I was reading the front page on the Peeragogy website. They quote "“Education is not an affair of ‘telling’ and being told, but an active and constructive process." (Dewey, 1916). The amusing moment came when I looked at the publication date..... It impresses me to see that so much learning is not recent, but really ongoing. 

As a relatively new instructor with 1 year under my belt, I have participated in discussions where the seasoned instructors would caution against becoming a "Sage on the Stage". In my opinion, not having much history allows me to continue to develop my teaching style and philosophy. Resulting in (I hope) an easier acceptance of teaching methods such as Peer Learning.

References:

1.  Dewey,J (1916), 'Democracy and Education'