Optimising a Peer Based Learning Environment

Primary School education in Ireland is in the process of updating its pedagogical approaches, embracing new teaching methods and desiring new learning outcomes. In particular, the new curriculum emphasizes developing skills necessary for modern-day life. Peer-led interactive group learning is an effective method of teaching those desired skills. One such technology embracing these methods of learning is the “Magical Leaders” programme. However, creating an environment that allows for optimum delivery of the content is difficult as the teacher needs to deal with the new method of content delivery as well as any behavioral or social issues that exist in the classroom. We investigate three factors that affect the successful delivery of the “Magical Leaders” programme: group composition; peer leader selection; and preparation time. We find that classes in which the teacher selects the groups complete the challenges more than 10 min quicker than those classes in which the peers select the groups or they are randomly assigned. The mean time to complete each challenge was approximately the same for groups in which the peer leaders were selected by the teacher and those groups were volunteers. However, the number of volunteer-led groups that finished on or before schedule was higher. Groups with peer leaders who completed less than 30 min of preparation time finished on average 9 min quicker than groups with peer leaders who did more than 30 min of preparation time. However, while the mean time is much less the number of classes finishing on time is higher for those with more preparation time, 60%, than those will 30 min of less preparation time, 52%.