Peer Discussion
Overview
Learning in social contexts has been shown to have significant effects on comprehension of material and retention of new information into Long-term Memory. Having discussions with peers can cement learning for adults, increasing Disciplinary Literacy and strengthening understanding of new information, including Numeracy skills. When learners discuss new concepts, they begin to think more critically, consider alternative perspectives, and create deeper meaning. Discussions can take place in person, online through written discussion boards, or through live virtual meetings. Peer discussion and dialogue can also aid those learners whose Primary Language is not English.
Use It In Your Learning Environment
For peer discussions to be effective, instructors should facilitate using authentic questions to help drive more critical conversation. Instructors can also transfer responsibility to learners by prompting them to generate their own discussion questions to guide group conversations. As adult learning can take place in a variety of settings, including digital, instructors should be clear in setting guidelines to create the most effective discussions. Authenticity is important to adult learners, so ensuring the discussions foster deeper listening, promote honoring multiple perspectives, build on the ideas of others, and provide an opportunity to challenge ideas is important. When these elements are embedded into the design of the learning environment, it can support learners' sense of Safety with Social Supports, promote risk taking which is associated with a Learner Mindset, and foster Social Awareness and Relationship Skills.
Products can support peer discussions by adding commenting features with notifications and nudges to respond. Online forums for written peer discussions should be interactive and alert learners when others reply or post to allow for timely responses. Developers can also enable video or audio features for live or asynchronous discussions. Products could also have the capability for learners to create workspaces such as whiteboards where students can show more disciplinary work, including Numeracy skills, for others to review.
Additional Resources
Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
Factors Supported by this Strategy
More Cooperative Learning Strategies
Beginning meetings with check-ins and maximizing opportunities for informal check-ins, whether live or online, can foster a sense of Belonging while building Social Supports.
Adult learners can self-organize into groups called communities of practice to engage in longer-term examination of a topic to build deeper understanding.
Flexible grouping is a classroom practice that temporarily places learners' together in given groups to work together, with the purpose of achieving a given learning goal or activity.
Giving learners the opportunity to share their knowledge, skills, and understanding with others strengthens learning and increases Motivation while also building Social Supports.
Bringing learners' everyday literacy practices such as text chats into instruction provides regular, low-stakes practice communicating with authentic audiences.
