Peer Panelling

What Is Peer Panelling?

In a normal Indian classroom where a class has about 25 to 40 children, it is always very effective to have peer panels made amongst the children of the class.

We must understand the term that here we are talking of peer panels made amongst the children and not that we are dividing the children into different groups. Well the difference in the practical term may not be much but a lot depends on how we look at the concept. Our perception would largely decide the use or the disuse of the exercise.

The peer panels are basically small groups of peers arranged according to certain criteria at times and randomly at times.

This kind of paneling helps decimate the pressure exerted because of learning – specially, upon those who find learning a not so interesting task.

Moreover, this is an interesting way of developing peer help and quicker way of learning how to teach oneself.

I believe the best way to teach is to teach the children how to teach themselves.

Purpose Of Peer Panels

Peer panels do not prove effective if the purpose is not well defined and not well understood. We need to understand the basic realities of any classroom.

Despite the best designed aptitude tests administered at the time of intake, every classroom ends up with a variety of learners of varied interests and various degrees of learning abilities. No where can we find a class of homogenous nature – even if it be a complete batch of scholars or a batch of slow learners. The mere academic ability or the lack of it cannot be the sole factor to decide the peer integration.

Factors That Mark The Difference In Peers

The various factors that come into play in marking the difference between the class peers are

• Age (sometimes some months can make a lot of difference)
• Sex
• Home atmosphere
• Economic status
• Social environment
• Family values
• Self ability
• Individual interest
• Dreams and desires
• Inherent nature (extrovert, introvert)
• Physical and mental strengths
• Power of memory
• Inborn abilities
• Ability to adapt
• Belief in the environment
• Self belief (this is governed by a combination of factors)The rate of change or growth

 

Now let us understand each of these factors.

Age  

(sometimes some months can make a lot of difference)
Definition: the time of life at which some particular qualification, power, or capacity arises or rests

Age plays a very important role in determining the difference in individuals. At vital age breaks, the rate of change, the degree of adaptability and the a variety of other factors govern and impress the individual traits of any individual vary widely and lead to the development of independent beings.

Sex

Definition:
the sum of the structural, functional, and behavioral characteristics of organisms that are involved in reproduction marked by the union of gametes and that distinguish males and female especially on the basis of their reproductive organs and structures

The world today works overtime to eradicate the difference of the sexes. We may decimate, rather erase the difference in terms of opportunities offered – which indeed we must – we will never be able to level the individual traits that emerge because of the sex of an individual. We must also note that most characteristics that make an individual the person the individual is, are greatly effected by the sex of the individual. The sex is a strong determinant in the thought process and subsequently the action process. 

Home Atmosphere

Definition:

1. the social unit formed by a family living together
2. a surrounding influence or environment

Home is where the individual takes the first lessons of humanity. It is at home that the basic fabric of the individual is woven and primary texture provided. The world outside is often a reflection of the experiences at home and the experiences that evolve the individuals initial reactions and responses also mark the individual’s independent personality.

Economic Status

Definition:

1. of or relating to a household or its management
2. position or rank in relation to others or relative      rank in a hierarchy of prestige

The society, all over the world, is divided into various strata. One of the major yardsticks of this division is the economic status or well being of the people. It can be vividly observed that the entire social fabric, in all its hues and forms, expresses divisions of all its aspects in a subtle manner and caters to the different stratum in different ways. This division also governs the fundamentals that go into the formation of the thought process of the individuals that belong to that group. Therefore, we can understand that the implications would be as much on the learner group of the any stage.

Social Environment

Definition:

1. of, relating to, or based on rank or status in a particular society or tending to form cooperative and interdependent relationships with others of one’s kind
2. the circumstances, objects, or conditions by  which one is  surrounded

The social environment largely impacts the upbringing and the aspirations of the individuals. All that an individual perceives, understands and interacts with, provide the ingredients for the formation of the individual in totality. The emergence of a class of thoughts and another class of thoughts is predominantly governed by the social environment of individuals.

Family Values

Definition:

1. a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head
2. principles of a  kind which are held to promote the sound functioning of the family and to strengthen the fabric of society

Family is the basic unit that gives an individual the sense of belonging and owning. It is family that grants purpose to any individual and the purpose is guided by principles and practices of the family. There is, in a family, some rudimentary ethos that provides the necessary thrust to the growth and development of thoughts and actions of the members of the family. Different economic status, different social environment and myriad other differences culminate into the cementing of individual family values.   

Self Ability

Definition:

1. from or by means of one’s own being
2. the quality or state of being able

The assessment of the self and the capability of the self is great factor in deciding the kind of individual a person may develop into. Often, the prowess of an individual or the lack of it, determines the attitude of the person towards anything. This prowess also provides the estimation of the company the individual would like to keep and the activities the individual would like to indulge into.

Individual Interest

Definition:

1. of, relating to, or distinctively associated with a  being
2. liking or willingness without attraction of external causes

Every individual is born with some quality that is unique and intrinsic to the individual. It may have similarities elsewhere, but the fine threads of the individual fabric are inimitable and they play a vital role in guiding the formation of the distinctive personage that emerges because of the singularity of the interest cart.

Dreams and Desires

Definition:

1. a visionary creation of the imagination
2. the strength of feeling and often strong intention or aim

Compatibility and coherence is monitored by similarities in goals and objectives. Willing camaraderie is achieved when visions match and the march points into the same direction. The desire towards realization of comparable ends brings about compatriotism and cohesiveness.

Inherent Nature (extrovert, introvert)

Definition:

1. involved in the constitution or essential character  of something, belonging by nature or habit
2. a kind or class usually distinguished by fundamental or essential characteristics, an inner force or the sum of such forces in an individual
3. a gregarious and unreserved person
4. to turn inward or in upon itself, oneself

Sometimes, the fundamental mental constitution of an individual is framed in a specific manner the individual turns out to be an introvert or an extrovert because of some factors that he has not decided. This nature specific trait of an individual plays an important role in determining the companionship the individual would cherish. In this context, it would be apt to remark that there have been many instances of gradual change in this aspect of the individual’s personality. The change is sometimes deliberately affected and sometimes situations force the change.

Physical and Mental Strengths

Definition:

1. of or relating to the body
2. of or relating to the mind
3. capacity for exertion or endurance

What a person desires depends on his mental processes and what he wants to do is governed by the physical abilities. However, it is often seen that the final acceptance is what the mind can excel to innovate and the body can endure to withstand. The abilities of the mind and the body are the final determinants of anybody’s personage and thus also a definitive injunction into any group formation or amalgamation.

Power of Memory

Definition:

1. ability to act or produce an effect
2. the power or process of reproducing or recalling what has been learnt and retained especially through associative mechanisms, the store of things learned and retained from an organism’s activity or experience as evidenced by modification of structure or behaviour

Unfortunately, the present day academic and professional pursuits harp on the power of recall – in terms of memory. This may not be a very strong stimulative nevertheless, the role of this ability or the lack of it defines, on the surface, the abilities of any person.

Inborn Abilities

Definition:

1. present from or as if from birth, inherited
2. the quality or state of being able

Heredity has immense influence on the making of any personality. Some people, by virtue of the genetic factors emerge with certain advantages or disadvantages which they relish or regret throughout. Well, it would be important to note here that the genetic or hereditary benefits or the drawbacks may play an initial role but are not the definitive deciders.

Ability to Adapt

Definition:

1. the quality or state of being able
2. to make fit for a specific or new use or situation often by modification

All are born with some intrinsic features individual and unique to the self. In this world all need to coordinate with the social fabric around us. This need necessitates the adjustment where the requirement to associate with aspects that may not be in tandem with the individual self arises. Here, the degree to which one can accommodate the change within the self and become a part of the larger whole plays an important role.

Belief in the Environment

Definition:

1. a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed In some person or thing
2. the circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded

The surrounding is for the basic purpose of augmenting the growth and development of the individual. Obstacles, if any, are mere challenges to prove one’s worth and redefine the ability in the contemporary context. This should be the flow of the faith of an individual. Should this thought process be hampered, the willingness to grow and stand out becomes low and impacts the readiness and the ability to grow. It is the constant faith in surrounding and its challenges that designs the growth of the individual.

Self Belief (this is governed by a combination  of factors)

Definition:

1. from or by means of one’s own being
2. a state or habit of mind in which trust or  confidence is placed in some person, thing or situation

Above all and beyond all, what one becomes is what one makes oneself to be. The amount of faith reposed in the self vis-à-vis anything and the subsequent preparedness to mould the externals as per the self or train the self as per the externals, finally shape the individual.   

The Rate of Change or Growth

Definition:

1. the speed and nature of conversion from one  situation to another
2. to make a shift from one to another
3. progressive development

Change, growth or development – any name would suffice in common context. Yet, all mean different when it comes to defined understanding. In this world, species have a common pattern with regard to change or growth. However, individuals in a specie often differ because of the minor differences in the rate or the speed of the change in areas of physical, mental or any other natural growth.

Use Of Aspects Of Difference To Make Peer Panels

Having understood the various factors that come into play in defining the student type and the differences between students, it must be ensured that the peer panels are of as mixed a variety as possible.

It is pertinent to understand the nature of the development of the students or members of a peer panel. While a particular panel may prove very effective in one king of learning of a particular subject, it may not yield the same result in a different situation. Hence the peer panels should be regularly monitored and rearranged from time to time as per requirements.

Another situation that crops up here is the method of deciding the arrangement or the rearrangement.

Well the various aspects of the life and living that cause the peers to differ have already been mentioned. The need now is to keep a close watch on the progress of the student and the degree of compatibility in a particular panel. It is also important to find out the reason of the discomfort, if any.

Having found the reasons of the discomfort, it is always easy to process the most applicable peer panel.

The most applicable should be noted as there is nothing like a perfect or the final peer panel. The growth, development and maturity of students bring about a change in their perception and the perceptive ability. They also bring about a change in the power to think, reason and act. All these factors, put together, warrant a reorganization of the peer panel. The constant change leads to peer realignment and this is where the teacher needs to be objective in forming the peer panels.

Advantages Of Peer Panels

• Individual Advantage
• Development of personality
• Development of ability to interact
• Development of ability to communicate
• Development of self confidence
• Social Advantage
• Learning interaction with others
• Learn to appreciate others
• Learn to accept others
• Learn to contribute for others
• Learn to understand the concept of team
• Learn to work and relish achievement or share failure as a team
• Academic Advantage
• Get the advantage of peer help
• Acquire different view points on the same topic
• Get to understand different ways to learn and observe
• Explain to others –explanation helps better understanding
• Develop logical reasoning to prove a point
• Learn in a non-hesitant environment

 

Preparing For The Peer Panels

Determine

– the task to be completed

– the time for the task

– the minimum requirements (tools) for the task

– the direction of the task

– the scope of digression

– the room (and leave room also) for positive digression beyond the set task

Set expectations

– Outline the minimum expectations

– Set expectations of children

– Set expectations for the self

– Keep scope of exceeding expectations

– Encourage efforts to exceed expectations

– Keep bonus for exceeding expectations

Clarify

• Clarify the content
• Clarify the process
• Clarify the freedom
• Clarify (or indicate) the the scope of digression
• Clarify the purpose of the task

 

Evaluation

No task is complete without the evaluation of its effectiveness. So this should be very well conveyed with clarity to the finest detail.

Children should be aware of the methods of evaluation and the content of the evaluation process. The teacher and the taught both, should be aware of the areas that would be scrutinized to ensure the effectiveness of the output and thereby the effectiveness of the task itself. This would help the teacher and the taught in understanding the need and the usefulness of the exercise and also the need of change should there be any.

We must also remember that there is always a scope and room for improvement even the best of the methods and therefore one must review everything that one does in the light of analysis for development and improvement for the better and towards refinement leading to increased relevance and usability.

Intent Of Evaluation

All evaluation is justified if the intent of the evaluation and the evaluator is justified.

Evaluation should always have the intent or objective of trying to find the best that is available and the best that can be applied.

Evaluation is never an exercise merely to locate the deficiencies. Sometimes, the mere objective to find the positives makes one realize, understand and admit that the positives far out do the lacunas that may be. However the zeal to get and know the best only should not become an instrument to shut our eyes and understanding to the ills or the wrongs.  

 

Therefore the mode and method of evaluation should be well defined and prepared in a manner that gives a justified exposure to all aspects of evaluation. The areas or fields of evaluation need to be clearly marked and the evaluator should be responsive towards the task of evaluation.