Pedagogies | Faculty Institute of Teaching and Learning

A model of collaborative learning, which involves students working in small groups led by trained peer leaders.

Students actively work together in groups to learn subject-specific content and solve complex problems
Peer leaders facilitate small-group learning sessions
Students actively work together and learn from and with others
Students discuss ideas in a non-threatening environment
Group size is small, atmosphere is relaxed, and structure is informal
Faculty assumes the role of mentor and facilitator of learning

Differentiating content, process, products, or learning environment to meet the individual needs of students.

Recognizes students’ varied background knowledge, readiness levels, language preferences and interests, and tailors instruction accordingly
Promotes flexible student grouping by readiness, interest, and learning profiles
Employs various modes of instructional delivery
Plans relevant learning opportunities that are student-centered
Maximizes each student’s growth and individual success by meeting each student at their level of need
Nurtures a change in faculty “mindset” not simply the use of “different” instructional strategies

The process of students, with individual roles, constructing new knowledge through interactive group work.

Purposeful synthesis of content to be learned
Incorporates student collaboration and analytical thinking
Students work on specifically designed problems and material
Employs inquiry and the constructivist framework to develop students’ process skills
Uses carefully designed classroom materials to guide the learning of self-managed teams
Faculty assumes the role of “facilitator of team learning” rather than the knowledge purveyor