>> Peer Teaching: An Effective Way to Learn

By Walter Rodriguez, PhD, PE

Peer teaching (or learning-by-teaching) is based on the principle that teaching is an effective way to learn anything.

In the AULA Project, we train teachers, trainers, and employees using this methodology. There are several reasons why this pedagogy is effective, namely:

Active Engagement: Teaching requires you to engage actively with the material. This active engagement often leads to a deeper understanding than passive learning methods like reading or listening. Many educational theorists and psychologists, such as Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky, have emphasized the importance of active engagement and social interaction in learning, which aligns with the idea that teaching can enhance learning. So, ask your students, trainees, or employees to engage with their peers in discussion forums, where they can help clarify a concept or business practice in their own words.

Improved Understanding and Mastery: To teach a concept effectively, you must understand it well. This necessity often drives teachers to achieve mastery over the subject matter. Better yet, teaching others can consolidate the teacher's knowledge.

Feedback and Adaptation: Teaching involves receiving direct feedback from students or peers. This feedback can highlight areas that need more clarification, leading the teacher to refine their understanding.

Organizational Skills: Teaching forces you to organize information logically and coherently, which can deepen your understanding and retention of the material.

Learning by Explaining: Explaining a concept to someone else often requires you to think about it in new ways, which can lead to deeper insights and learning.

Emphasizing Key Concepts: In preparing to teach, instructors often identify and focus on the most important aspects of a subject, which can aid in prioritizing and understanding the core principles.

In addition, teachers, professors, and corporate training experts learn:

Continuous Research and Study: Many educators continually read and research to stay updated in their field. This ongoing study helps them maintain a high level of expertise.

Professional Development: Teachers and professors often participate in professional development courses and workshops to enhance their skills and knowledge.

Collaboration and Discussion: Engaging with peers and colleagues in discussions and collaborative research can provide new insights and perspectives, facilitating deeper understanding.

Attending Conferences and Seminars: Attending academic conferences and seminars allows educators to learn about their field's latest research and methodologies.

Practical Application: Applying theories and concepts in practical settings (like laboratories, fieldwork, or real-world problem-solving) can lead to a deeper understanding.

Reflective Practice: Reflecting on their teaching practices, lessons, and student feedback allows educators to improve and adapt their understanding and methods continually.

Cross-disciplinary Learning: Many educators explore topics outside their immediate field of expertise, which can offer new perspectives and insights that enrich their primary area of study. Life is not bound by learning silos. Seek to learn from real experience in various fields.

In summary, teaching can indeed be a powerful way to learn, and educators continue to learn through a variety of methods including research, professional development, collaboration, and practical applications.