Peer Instruction with Audience Response Systems-Comprehensive Guidelines for Teaching with Peer Instruction

Pdf Summary

Peer Instruction (PI) is an active-learning strategy proven by research to enhance conceptual understanding through structured student interaction using audience response systems like iClicker or Zoom polls. It involves learners responding individually to a challenging conceptual question, followed by peer discussion in small groups, and then a second poll to evaluate shifts in understanding. This process helps surface misconceptions and reinforces memory by requiring retrieval and elaboration of knowledge.<br /><br />Key to successful PI is the use of well-designed questions that target deep conceptual understanding rather than factual recall. Effective questions yield 30-70% correct initial responses ("sweet spot"), prompting discussion and debate among students to refine understanding. Distractor answers should be plausible to stimulate critical analysis and correction of misunderstandings.<br /><br />PI works best with a flipped classroom model, where students prepare with pre-class assignments, and class time is primarily interactive. Instructors should avoid pre-lecturing content intended for self-study to maximize time for peer discussion and deeper learning. Brief clarifications are given only when needed based on second poll results.<br /><br />Implementation involves technology-assisted polling to capture initial individual responses, facilitation of small-group discussion, then a second poll to measure learning gains. This can be applied in both in-person and virtual settings, with modifications such as using breakout rooms for discussion in online platforms.<br /><br />Effectiveness is assessed by achieving the sweet spot in initial responses and a significant increase in correct answers after discussion. Other indicators include improved performance on related assessments and positive student feedback.<br /><br />PI integrates with other teaching methods by reinforcing pre-class preparation and promoting active learning during sessions. It can structure an entire class or be interspersed with short lectures, although brief interactive polling during lectures alone does not qualify as full PI. Resources and guides are available through Continuous Professional Learning to support question writing and implementation.

Asset Subtitle

Created to guide instructors in the UME Phase 1 curriculum, this guide is generally useful for instructors in any curriculum and consolidates many of the resources that are found, here, separately.

Keywords

Peer Instruction

active learning

conceptual understanding

audience response systems

iClicker

Zoom polls

flipped classroom

student discussion

misconceptions

formative assessment