Peer Teaching
With the technique, Peer Teaching, you teach students that if they get stuck during practice, they should ask a peer who is near for help, before asking you. (This technique can be complemented with On-hand Help.)
Why use this technique?
The technique can help encourage students to take more ownership and responsibility for the learning, diluting the reliance on teacher help. It can also help ensure that any students who really need teacher help get this quickly, because the teacher is more likely to be available for them.
Notes and tips
The point about ‘a peer who is near’ is important to emphasise - we don’t want students wandering around the room asking random students for help. If we permit this, some students will use it as an excuse not to engage in the task at hand.
Focused reflection
How well do you currently use this technique?
Is it a technique you will focus on developing?
If so, what are the key features you will focus on (things to do, and not do)?