Peer Instruction
Peer Instruction is an active learning teaching methodology developed by physicist Eric Mazur, primarily used in STEM education but applicable across disciplines. It involves presenting students with a conceptual question, having them think individually, discuss their reasoning with peers, and then vote again, with the instructor facilitating discussion to clarify misconceptions. This approach shifts the focus from passive lecture-based learning to interactive, student-centered engagement to deepen understanding.
Developers should learn and use Peer Instruction when involved in teaching, mentoring, or team training contexts, such as onboarding new hires, conducting workshops, or leading study groups, as it enhances knowledge retention and critical thinking. It is particularly effective for explaining complex technical concepts like algorithms, system design, or debugging strategies, as the peer discussion phase helps uncover and address misunderstandings that might be missed in traditional lectures.