Peer teaching a way to enhance learning on Enterprising and Business Development

Abstract

We will introduce peer teaching in the Enterprising and Business Development (EBD) Programme at Växjö University. Peer teaching increases the students learning at the same time as it fosters self-confidence and makes the students more active in and responsible for their education. Peer teaching also encourages co-operative learning, communication, problem-solving, and social actions. Since EBD-students are to become project-leaders these dimensions are very important. Exactly what forms peer teaching will take in the EBD-programme will be developed in a project group where six EBD-students (two students from each programme-year) and six lecturers participate. There are, however, already some ideas that have been found in pedagogical literature that will be discussed and investigated closer. These ideas include students giving lecturers for their peers and senior students leading reflection seminars with junior students. The reflection seminars will discuss subject that lecturers have brought up in lectures before. Senior students can also present papers for the juniors and the juniors will then discuss the papers with the seniors and the lecturers. Senior students can also co-supervise and discuss papers written by junior students. To prepare the students for peer teaching there will be seminars where lecturers give them guidelines and inspiration for peer teaching. The project group will identify the guidelines. There will also be seminars where the students discuss their experience with the lecturers during the process. The peer teaching will become an active part of the EBD and therefore the students will get credits for their participation.