Near-Peer - A Learning Modality

Abstract

This review explains about the concepts and significance of PAL (Peer Assisted Learning) and the necessity of incorporation of these methods as a teaching-learning modality. Dental profession recognizes the importance of students being both learners and teachers. This concept aims at providing enhanced learning and teaching skills and a better understanding amongst them. Both the student and the teacher are benefitted. PAL basically is selection of an individual amongst the students with a slightly higher intellect who can teach his peer groups by understanding the concept and the subject from their teachers. Thus, the concept has got revolutionary changes in better understanding of the concept. PAL also provides an opportunity to the peer tutors to perform and teach their peer group. Inclusion of peer-assisted learning (PAL) in the curriculum provided students with multiple opportunities to function as both a peer tutor and a peer-learner. The rise in international interest in PAL appears to be a consequence of the global increase in medical student intake, limited teaching resources, and an emergent reference to teaching and assessment capabilities as This learning modality resulted in great outcome as compared to the conventional teaching learning method in the literature published. Peer-assisted learning was found to be an effective teaching-learning method among the students. Students also suggested that it should be used in complement to the traditional teaching modality. These concepts can be further added into the curriculum of various other fields of education. Studies have also shown increase in the intellect of the peer group and tutor group comparatively and performed better.