GPTK701 - Peer Instruction

Peer instruction is a research-based pedagogy that actively engages students in the classroom and has been shown to dramatically improve conceptual understanding, even in large classes. The basic goals of peer instruction are to encourage and make use of student interaction during lectures, while focusing students' attention on underlying concepts and techniques. The method has been assessed in many studies using standardized, diagnostic tests and shown to be considerably more effective than the conventional lecture approach to teaching. Peer instruction is now used in a wide range of courses. In this workshop, participants will learn about peer instruction, serve as the "class" in which peer instruction is demonstrated, discuss several models for implementing the technique into the classroom, and learn about available teaching resources. While successfully implementing peer instruction doesn't require any technology, using the right technology can improve student engagement, increase learning, and make it easier to implement peer instruction in your classroom.
 

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to
1. Articulate challenges in engaging students in lecture-based classes
2. Explain how Peer Instruction can be used to address identified challenges with student engagement
3. Reflect on the relationship between technology and pedagogy in the service of student learning
4. Think differently and holistically about what makes good teaching and learning

This workshop is led by Ying Li.

Ying Li is a curriculum developer at Concordia's Centre for Teaching and Learning Services, helping faculty develop new academic programs or revising existing programs to be aligned with the university's strategic directions and digital strategies. She has taught undergraduate students in China and graduate students in the Educational Technology program at Concordia. Ying has 12 years of combined teaching, training, research, instructional design and educational development experience.