Social and Cultural Foundations of American Education/Dynamic Learning Environment/Peer Learning

With any profession there should be teamwork, which involves working together to accomplish a goal. Within the field of education that goal is to work together to educate the minds of all youth to be, productive, smart, and successful citizens. The support, guidance, and instruction provided by an adult is known as scaffolding" (Gunning, 2005). Even as adults one never stops learning. Therefore, teachers can help each other to become experts in their subject area by helping them with ways to improve their teaching strategies, classroom management and any other conflicts that may arise. Educators helping other educators to be experts will help increase not only that educators self-esteem and confidence when entering into the classroom, but will also benefit the students learning experience that enters that classroom.

When a fellow educator talks, we are more apt to listen because they are at our level. They teach every day and understand what is important. If a peer tells us to try a new web site for information on the latest ways to integrate technology into the classroom, we get excited. When Mrs. Brown, the second grade teacher with 15 years experience, tells us how she gets her students to pay attention, we listen eagerly. Learning through peers is an important way for teachers to acquire new ideas, make fresh lesson plans, get insight on disciplinary issues, and receive constructive criticism. This article will cover the three ways teachers learn through peers: peer review, peer mentoring, and peer coaching.

Peer Reviews
In a peer review, a teacher will sit in on part of another teacher's lessons. They will note what they think the teacher is doing well and what needs improvement. Then they review their observations with that teacher and/or the principal. The peer will make recommendations about which areas teachers need training or counseling. This process first started in 1981 as part of a professional development program. Not all districts require peer review, however they are becoming more and more popular. The main reason for a peer review is to create a higher level of professionalism and set standards for teachers that enter the classroom. “Peer review requires teachers themselves to make decisions about what constitutes good teaching and makes provisions for teachers with expertise in their subject area to evaluate and assist weaker teachers.”(Troen) It also “requires teachers to make decisions about removing [the evaluated] colleagues who cannot perform.”(Troen)  The peer review process can help new teachers start off stronger and help veteran teachers learn new techniques. It can also be a valuable tool for school systems to remove teachers who are not meeting standards. “More probationary and experienced teachers have been dismissed under peer review than under the previous system of administrative review.”(Troen) Although some teachers are scared of peer reviews, most good teachers welcome it. Peer reviews foster an environment for fellow teachers to learn from the strength of others and help open a dialogue among peers to teach each other.

Peer Coaching
Peer Coaching got its start in the early 1980s with the idea that coaching educators would “share aspects of teaching, plan together, and pool their experiences.” (Wong) The concept behind peer coaching is similar to peer review: fellow teachers will sit in on a lesson plan or part of a day and then go over the strong and weak points of that teacher. The difference with peer coaching is that teachers will go over what they saw with only each other. They do not make decisions on counseling, training, or dismissals. With this open dialogue peers are able to discuss methods that are successful and methods that have been ineffective. A bond is created among teachers that promotes strong professional development.

There are three types of peer coaching, which are categorized by their strategies. First is technical coaching which “focuses on incorporating new curriculum and instructional techniques in a teacher’s routine.”(Wong) With technical coaching teachers receive tips from peers on how to improve day-to-day management, lessons, and discipline. For example, Mrs. Griener might get feedback on her lack of integrating the use of computers in her lessons. Next, cognitive and collegial peer coaching is set up to improve an already existing routine. Its main purpose is to “refine techniques, develop collegiality, increase professional dialogue, and assist teachers in reflecting on their teaching styles.”(Wong) For example, the science teachers from County High School get together once a month to go over new ways to make science fun. Third is challenge coaching which is used to zone in on a specific area or problem. For instance, the entire third grade class at Parker Elementary school is falling behind in math skills. With peer coaching the third grade teachers can get together, evaluate another grade that is excelling in math, and pool their thoughts. The success of all three types of peer coaching require trusting relationships, recognition from staff and faculty, clear expectations, and support from administration.

Peer Mentoring
Peer mentoring process occurs when a seasoned teacher takes on a new or probationary teacher to help them to become a successful educator and help the new teacher to achieve a high standard of education. Basically they “show them the ropes”. They will meet a few times a week or month to go over any questions or problems the new teacher has. Sometimes the mentor will give advice on how to implement a good lesson, good classroom management, grade appropriate activities, or anything they feel will be beneficial. For instance, if the new teacher is having a hard time organizing his/her schedule and feels stressed, the mentor teacher should sit with them and go over their schedule to give pointers for some improvements. The mentor is also there to help talk about feelings like stess, frustration, and insecurities. A good mentor will give examples of struggles they faced while starting off. Peer mentoring is there to guide and help a new teacher succeed. Although it is a great concept, the mentor needs to be active; some teachers complain that their mentor teacher has a lack of involvement. A mentor teacher should always provide support to their protegé.

Conclusion
“The primary goal of any peer observation is to rethink the way we do things and adapt to changing times, students, and circumstances.” (Osten) The benefits from peer learning are enormous. The feedback teachers get is specific, learning is acquired from being observed and observing, a sense of teamwork is revealed, through that teamwork a higher standard of teaching is reached, and most importantly new teachers are staying educators longer due to support and mentoring.

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