Peer-assisted Learning

Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) involves children in school consciously assisting others to learn, and in so doing learning more effectively themselves. It encompasses peer tutoring, peer modeling, peer education, peer counseling, peer monitoring, and peer assessment, which are differentiated from other more general "co-operative learning" methods. PAL is not diluted or surrogate "teaching"; it complements and supplements (but never replaces) professional teaching--capitalizing on the unique qualities and richness of peer interaction and helping students become empowered democratically to take more responsibility for their own learning.

In this book, PAL is presented as a set of dynamic, robust, effective, and flexible approaches to teaching and learning, which can be used in a range of different settings. The chapters provide descriptions of good practice blended with research findings on effectiveness. They describe procedures that can be applied to all areas of the school curriculum, and can be used with learners of all levels of ability, including gifted students, students with disabilities, and second-language learners. Among the distinguished contributors, many are from North America, while others are from Europe and Australia. The applicability of the methods they present is worldwide.

Peer-Assisted Learning is designed to be accessible and useful to teachers and to those who employ, train, support, consult with, and evaluate them. Many chapters will be helpful to teachers aiming to replicate in their own school environments the cost-effective procedures described. A practical resources guide is included. This volume will also be of interest to faculty and researchers in the fields of education and psychology, to community educators who want to learn about the implications of Peer Assisted Learning beyond school contexts, and to employers and others involved in post-school training.

Contents: H. Walberg, Foreword. Preface. K. Topping, S. Ehly, Introduction to Peer-Assisted Learning. Part I:The Basis and Benefits of Peer-Assisted Learning.H. Foot, C. Howe, The Psycho-Educational Basis of Peer-Assisted Learning. L. Maheady, Advantages and Disadvantages of Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies. E.S. Chapman, Key Considerations in the Design and Implementation of Effective Peer Assisted Learning Programs. Part II:Peer Tutoring.K. Topping, Paired Learning in Literacy. C. Arreaga-Mayer, B.J. Terry, C.R. Greenwood, Classwide Peer Tutoring. J. Fantuzzo, M. Ginsburg-Block, Reciprocal Peer Tutoring: Developing and Testing Effective Peer Collaborations for Elementary School Students. C.A. Maher, B.C. Maher, C.J. Thurston, Disruptive Students as Tutors: A Systems Approach to Planning and Evaluation of Programs. T.E. Scruggs, M.A. Mastropieri, Tutoring and Students With Special Needs. Part III:Peer Facilitation and Education.D. Schunk, Peer Modeling. E. Mathie, N. Ford, Peer Education for Health. S.W. Ehly, E. Garcia Vazquez, Peer Counseling. Part IV:Peer Feedback.C. Henington, C.H. Skinner, Peer Monitoring. A.M. O'Donnell, K. Topping, Peers Assessing Peers: Possibilities and Problems. Part V:Embedding and Extending Peer-Assisted Learning.A. Gartner, Mutual Tutoring: Embedding and Extending Peer-Assisted Learning. S. Hill, B. Gay, K. Topping, Peer-Assisted Learning Beyond School. S. Ehly, K. Topping, Summary & Conclusions. G. Vygotskya, Afterword. Resources and Contacts. About the Contributors. Author Index. Subject Index.