Learning Formats

According to A Training Guide for College Tutors and Peer Educators by Sally A. Lipsky, there are two main ways of teaching. One technique is through a lecture format and the other is through a collaborative format. For tutors and supplemental instructors who work with groups of students, a collaborative format is much more useful.

The difference between the two:

Lecture format

- An instructor does the talking while students sit and listen.

- Learning is based on an individual’s effort.

Collaborative format

- Students share knowledge and communicate with each other.

- Learning is based on a team effort.

When working in a collaborative format it is helpful to arrange students into groups of 3-4 people. This makes the session more manageable and effective. Students will more often speak up in smaller groups because it is more comfortable than speaking up in a larger group. It is best to assign each group a set of tasks to work together on. Examples of this can be: developing examples, teaching the material to one another, predicting exam questions, creating outlines that summarize class lectures, etc.

Works Cited:

Lipsky, Sally A. A Training Guide for College Tutors and Peer Educators. Pearson, 2011. Print.