Research Notes

Defining PAL

PAL is the acquisition of knowledge and skill through active helping and supporting among status equals or matched companions. PAL is people from similar social groupings, who are not professional teachers, helping each other to learn and by so doing, learning themselves. – Ehly, Stewart (2009-03-20). Peer-Assisted Learning (p. 1). Taylor & Francis. Kindle Edition.

Importance of PAL

Raising standards

Taking what was good from the basics and integrating it to the online world. Not because learning has moved online, learners should miss out on what has been a proven successful method of cognitive learning.

Social Benefits

Based on Johnson & Johnson research: “Peer tutoring delegates the management of learning to the learners in a democratic way, seeks to empower students rather than de-skill them by dependency on imitation of a master culture, and might reduce student dissatisfaction and unrest.” – Ehly, Stewart (2009-03-20). Peer-Assisted Learning (p. 4). Taylor & Francis. Kindle Edition.

Affective Benefits

PAL can help develop motivation and confidence, its impact could be profound. – Ehly, Stewart (2009-03-20). Peer-Assisted Learning (p. 4). Taylor & Francis. Kindle Edition.

PAL provides an excellent vehicle for supported positive practice.- Ehly, Stewart (2009-03-20). Peer-Assisted Learning (p. 13). Taylor & Francis. Kindle Edition.

In addition to immediate cognitive gains, improved retention, greater metacognitive awareness and better application of knowledge and skills to new situations have been claimed. Motivational and attitudinal gains could include greater commitment, improved self-esteem, self-confidence, and greater empathy with others. – Ehly, Stewart (2009-03-20). Peer-Assisted Learning (pp. 13-14). Taylor & Francis. Kindle Edition.

Evidence that PAL works

In the case of peer tutoring, a recent review identified 28 previous reviews and meta-analyses of evaluation research (Topping, 1992). Sharpley and Sharpley (1981) and Cohen, Kulik, and Kulik (1982) found strong evidence of cognitive gains for tutees and tutors and some evidence for improved attitudes and self-image (which are, of course, more difficult to measure). They also found that training improved outcomes, structured procedures improved outcomes, and that same-age tutoring was as effective as cross-age tutoring. – Ehly, Stewart (2009-03-20). Peer-Assisted Learning (p. 3). Taylor & Francis. Kindle Edition.

Flaws of KHAN Academy

• In some cases instructions are unclear and can lead to getting stuck in one question.
• There is not clear explanation of the leave system.
• “See Answer” section is not always present per question.
• “Hint” section is not always present per question

Hows does PAL work?

Observing others gives the observer time and space to perceive the elements of competent performance with a clarity that might not be evident to the performer themselves – Ehly, Stewart (2009-03-20). Peer-Assisted Learning (p. 6). Taylor & Francis. Kindle Edition.

Observing how others do things heightens awareness of how you do things, through comparison and contrast. – Ehly, Stewart (2009-03-20). Peer-Assisted Learning (p. 6). Taylor & Francis. Kindle Edition.

Peer monitoring helps develop successful study behaviors

Peer-to-Peer Learning

• Collaborative Learning Enhances Critical Thinking

  The concept of collaborative learning, the grouping and pairing of students for the purpose of achieving an academic goal, has been widely researched and advocated throughout the professional literature. The term “collaborative learning” refers to an instruction method in which students at various performance levels work together in small groups toward a common goal. The students are responsible for one another’s learning as well as their own. Thus, the success of one student helps other students to be successful.

• Context Aware Ubiquitous Learning Environments for Peer-to-Peer Collaborative Learning

  A ubiquitous learning environment provides an interoperable, pervasive, and seamless learning architecture to connect, integrate, and share three major dimensions of learning resources: learning collaborators, learning contents, and learning services. Ubiquitous learning is characterized by providing intuitive ways for identifying right learning collaborators, right learning contents and right learning services in the right place at the right time.