Describes an alternative to lecturing in the introductory college-level sociology class. The alternative is an "active" course involving students in teaching others, having students look for and evaluate information, and encouraging students to work together.

Undergraduates can play a large role in their peers' experiential learning. A peer facilitator program must use sound principles of recruitment, training, supervision, and evaluation, and can have both immediate and lasting benefits for the students involved. (MSE)

Meeting course objectives, providing examples, presenting organized lessons, and teaching principles seemed to influence a student's willingness to reinvest time. Thus training was offered before the succeeding semester. Results of the semester indicated that the somewhat abbreviated training agenda was adequate. (Author)

The study involving 60 withdrawn and aggressive elementary school students tested the hypothesis that Ss would benefit from participating in daily learning sessions with peers having similar behavioral problems. After 5 weeks of peer tutoring, almost all Ss who actively participated in the program showed higher gains than control Ss in…

Mainstreaming produced marked improvement in this case due to a combination of involved parent, interested teacher, aid from fellow students, and effort on the part of the pupil. (MB)

Examines the use of reciprocal peer tutoring (RPT) within the field of education through two experiments: (1) students enrolled in five sections of an introductory educational research course at the graduate level; and (2) undergraduate students within four sections of a human development course. Includes references. (CMK)

A student staff inquiry project in one university's department of health education assessed the motivation and satisfaction of student staff and peer educators. Students created interview tools, collected and analyzed data, and developed recommendations. Through this student-driven process, several themes emerged (the need for more department…

A study compared the reading fluency, comprehension strategies, and content test scores of 16 students with mild disabilities who participated in a nine-week world history class taught using peer tutoring or teacher-directed guided notes. Students who were participated in peer tutoring significantly outperformed the other students on content-area…

This study investigated the effects of using general education peers to instruct four students (age 8) with mental retardation in board game skills. Results found that the peer-mediated intervention produced an increase in interactions between students with and without mental retardation and that these increases generalized across social…

The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) study showed student support services were an important component of distance education. One of the factors differentiating between high/low-achievers was that the former were more active in seeking help. This project explored what factors promote or inhibit use of peer support, and how it might be utilized…

This article discusses teaching play skills to children with autism. Factors considered include developmental appropriateness, language development, peer involvement, motivational techniques, and setting and intervention methods. Methods for teaching play skills are then reviewed, including script training, peer trainers, and pivotal response…

A study collected sociometric data in 39 second- through sixth-grade classrooms, 22 of which were engaged in Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS), a form of peer tutoring. Students with learning disabilities in PALS classes were more socially accepted than those in no-PALS classes and enjoyed the same social standing as controls. (Contains…

A community college nursing program in Hawaii partners with the American Red Cross in service learning projects that prepare nursing students as AIDS prevention educators. Flexibility and partner commitment eased the challenges of time constraints, funding gaps, and workloads. (SK)

Focuses on the implementation of a peer-led team learning (PLTL) instructional approach for students in an undergraduate organic chemistry course and the evaluation of student outcomes over eight years. Compares students who experienced the student-centered instruction and worked in small groups facilitated by a peer leader to students who…

A study evaluated a program for 54 elementary students with behavior problems in regular classrooms in Quebec. The program combined in-class social skills training and specific educational activities with peers, namely cooperative learning and tutoring by a prosocial peer. A modest effect size showed a relative improvement in social behavior.…