This article reports on a programme in which peer-assisted learning (PAL) was combined with case-based learning (CBL) in a second-year radiologic biology unit of study. Our aim is to explore evidence of whether PAL supported the development of qualitative conceptions of learning. The programme involved students in small PAL groups preparing and…

The General Medical Council states that United Kingdom graduates must function effectively as educators. There is a growing body of evidence showing that medical students can be included as teachers within a medical curriculum. Our aim was to design and implement a near-peer-led teaching program in an undergraduate medical curriculum and assess…

This research abstract describes two studies: first, "Class Instructional Programs with Autistic Children; Group Structures and Tutoring Models" (Debra M. Whorton et al.) and, second, "The Use of Explicitly Trained Peers To Facilitate the Social Behavior of Autistic Children" (Andrew Egel and Michael Shafer). Both studies investigated effective…

Recounts a program that organized composition students into writing teams to overcome (1) too much reliance on a teacher, (2) lack of student cooperation, (3) excessive individual competition, and (4) an overall negative atmosphere concerning writing. (CRH)

Intended as an overview for English department faculty with no direct experience in teaching freshman composition, this report contains a general account of the origin, basic features, and current direction of using tutorial methods in freshman composition classes. The five sections of the report provide the following information: (1) the history…

This brief illustrated booklet suggests procedures for the incorporation of planned peer tutoring into daily classroom rountines. This method of instruction has been found to be usable with a variety of academic tasks and is seen as one way to achieve individualization of instruction. The booklet focuses on the definition of peer tutoring;…

This paper outlines a model for delivering small group literacy to adult learners. The model provides an implementation plan consisting of four steps: preparing for a group, getting started with a group, developing the group, and bringing the cycle to a close. Suggestions for implementation are provided for each of the four steps. Information…

The practice of placing senior law students into teaching roles at law schools in order to reduce the student-teacher ratio is discussed. The extent to which students have contributed towards teaching, supervision, and instruction at law schools is analyzed. European tutorial experience is compared with North American experience. (MLW)

Intended for educators who wish to work with small groups of students from larger classes, this catalog describes seven common instructional grouping arrangements, and four associated concerns, revealed by a 1979-1980 survey of teachers and programs in Nevada, Utah, and northern California. The instructional grouping arrangements include (1)…

Different forms of peer tutoring within college and universities are described and compared for effectiveness, including cross-year and same-year small-group, individualized, supplemental, diadic, reciprocal, fixed-role, writing process, and distance tutoring. Three methods are found to be widely used, demonstrated effective, and meriting expanded…

In a University of Central Lancashire (England) program, upperclassmen support learning of peers through small-group peer tutoring in study skills, earning academic credits for doing so. The program targets courses with difficult content, predominance of lectures, and low rates of teacher-student interaction. Evaluation indicates reduced course…

Discusses the use of a teaching fellows program (undergraduates teaching undergraduates) in a psychology laboratory class. Examines the goals, outcomes, curriculum, and implementation of the laboratory class and how these were impacted through the use of teaching fellows. Includes a table showing curriculum, content area, laboratory activities,…