Peer Learning: an Overview

Peer learning is not only a teaching method but also a learning method created by educationists based on the psychological and sociological theories: cognitive constructivism, social constructivism, cognitive distribution, social groups and peer groups. Peer learning takes place among group of individuals with the same status who interact one another. Success of the peer learning process depends on the Teacher's role and the parents' and students' readiness for the peer learning. Peer learning and peer teaching opportunities which function under a wellqualified teacher work well with a variety of learners in different classrooms. The facilitator should aware of the theories behind this learning situation. And also the facilitator should make sure that he/she is well aware of types of peer tutoring. In peer learning, the tutor and the tutee should aware that peer learning includes both teaching and learning. When the peer learning and teaching opportunities are implemented properly by avoiding faults it would work as one of the effective learning teaching method due to its multi-function approach. The main aim of this paper was to provide an overview on peer learning method discussed in western approach. In this research, books written on peer learning, relevant research papers and conference papers have been examined as secondary sources since this research based on literary survey. Content analysis method has been used as the research method. Data is analyzed relevant to the content analysis method.