What is Peer to Peer Learning? According to Simon Elias it “is a mutually beneficial concept which recognizes everyone as a teacher and learner. Encourages like-minded individuals to engage in knowledge and exchange through collaboration, networking, discussion, and information sharing so they can enhance their industry knowledge beyond formal education.” (Simon Elias).

Peer-to-peer learning is about sharing what you know and receiving knowledge in return. This is naturally occurring, and informal. No one is an island unto themselves, and we all learn from each other ‘good’ and ‘bad.’ Within Peer learning, there is no hierarchy. It can also be a great tool for learning something new. It can also be about expanding on what already exists and making it better or designing something entirely new.

It’s so fascinating to me that I can be in a workshop with someone, and they hear something entirely different than I did and vice versa. This is a great example illustrating how we can teach each other with the same information presented to both individuals as we all see life from different perspectives, have different life experiences, and unique innate knowledge, etc.

Encouraging and providing strategies for students to develop healthy peer relationships is important. It is a benefit to not only the students involved at the moment but teaches essential life skills. (Hue Ming-tak. 2013).

It’s not been until recently that peer-to-peer learning has been taken seriously inside learning institutions. It is “a phenomenon in its own right that might be used to students’ advantage.” (David Boud). Peer-to-peer learning is being recognized more and more along with the benefits it offers.

References and Citations:

Simon Elias. “Peer to Peer Learning – Lean Competency System – Lean Thinking”. Accessed at leancompetency.org/lcs-articles/peer-peer-learning.

David Boud. (2002) “Making the move to peer learning, in Peer Learning in Higher Education: Learning From & With Each Other”. Accessed at styluspub.com/ and tomprof.stanford.edu/posting/418. Boud, Ruth Cohen, Jane Sampson and, individual contributors.

Ming-tak Hug “Promoting Positive Peer Relationships”. Accessed at hongkong.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.5790/hongkong/9789622098886.001.0001/upso-9789622098886-chapter-7.