Peer Instruction
"Peer Instruction is an 'evidence based' student-centric pedagogy which uses targeted conceptual questions (used with a device or a program such as the peer instruction feature in the CSAwesome E-Book) to identify student understanding. This allows the instructor to focus the class around core concepts and around material on which students struggle." (http://peerinstruction4cs.com/)
The high level idea is to have students engage with a challenging multiple choice question about a topic we want them to learn. Students then select an answer/response with a device or program. Students then discuss/instruct why they selected their answer and why they did not select the other ones with their peers. Students then re-select a answer/response. Then there is a classroom-wide discussion where students are selected to share out their discussion and the instructor shares out the correct answer and explains why it is correct and why the other responses are incorrect.
Peer Instruction Cycle image Provided by Dr. Beryl Hoffman
Video by Dr. Beth Simon
Video Peer Instruction Tutorial by CSAwesome RPP PD Sub-Group
Tools for Using Peer Instruction
Using i-Clickers or Phone Apps
for Selecting Responses
Video Demonstration Below
Peer Instruction: Equitable and Inclusive Teaching Practices for Low SES Students
Peer Instruction is a research based, equitable and inclusive computer science education pedagogy/teaching practice for low-SES (and all) students. This NCCSE Inclusive teaching website focuses on equity for student engagement, voice, confidence, and empowerment.
The following Resources section provides the links and sources for this research based pedagogy
Resources:
Peer Instruction for Computer Science
"This website is designed for faculty who want to adopt Peer Instruction, and need practical information and materials to support that process."
(n.d.). Peer Instruction for Computer Science | Everything CS faculty need .... Retrieved July 28, 2022, from http://peerinstruction4cs.com/
Peer Instruction in Computer Science: Focusing Classes on Students
Peer Instruction Faculty Workshop - July 21 -23 - San Diego, CA, peerInstruction4cs.com
(2014, June 5). Peer Instruction Faculty Workshop – July 21-23 – San Diego, CA. Retrieved July 28, 2022, from http://peerinstruction4cs.com/peer-instruction-faculty-workshop-july-20-23-san-diego-ca
Retaining nearly one-third more majors with a trio of instructional best practices in CS1
Peer Instruction: What does the research say?
(n.d.). Peer Instruction: What does the research say? - PhysPort. Retrieved July 28, 2022, from https://www.physport.org/methods/Section.cfm?G=Peer_Instruction&S=Research
Computing Education Research Blog by Mark Gudzial, professor at the University of Michigan in Computer Science & Engineering, Engineering Education Research and Information.
(2020, July 20). Proposal #1 to Change CS Education to Reduce Inequity: Teach .... Retrieved July 28, 2022, from https://computinged.wordpress.com/2020/07/20/proposal-1-to-change-cs-education-to-reduce-inequity-teach-computer-science-to-advantage-the-students-with-less-background/
“How To Use Clickers Effectively.”
“How To Use Clickers Effectively.” YouTube, 14 December 2009, https://youtu.be/z0q5gQfQmng. Accessed 23 August 2022.
Reflection Activity
Consider the following questions:
Why should I consider using the Peer Instruction Pedagogy with my students?
Why is the Peer Instruction Pedagogy considered to be an equitable and inclusive teaching practice for Low SES students?