Chapter 5

Chapter 5 deals with the emergence of peer based learning in the ACOT classrooms.  Because of the nature of the technology and the students adapting to it quickly, they became a great source of learning for the class.  Teachers initially noticed the exchange of knowledge from one student to another naturally with the technology.  Then teachers learned to use this and plan around it causing the students to be more engaged and learn from each other.  The approach also helped overturn stagnating social orders in the classrooms to the benefits of the less popular students.

            The author continues to point out that using students as technological experts can extend beyond the classroom.  It was interesting to see the adoption of student run lessons on technology for the district and hiring students as technical experts.  Additionally, the students began to branch out and peer teach material on the subject not just technology.  The chapter closes with data supporting the peer teaching method and its benefits for many classrooms.

            This chapter I found reinforcing.  The peer teaching model is something that we are much more accustomed to today; it is nice seeing literature from a time when a stronger argument would need to be made for it.  It is a much easier sell today, and as such I would not expect to find an article like this to show up today.

            I enjoyed the phrasing and frontier feel to describing peer based teaching and it was nice to see the benefits laid out the way they were.  It also makes sense that this approach would flow from incorporating technology.  It is a means of opening the door in older pedagogical styles.  In all it was a nostalgic view into common contemporary ideas.