Peer learning has been shown to be highly effective in both supplemental forms to traditional instruction and, in some cases, as a substitute for lecture-style classes. UCI Open has developed software to facilitate peer learning from OERs. We combine the following elements:
– a shared whiteboard for web-based communications
– hundreds of short video explanations from the OpenChem project
– associated textual explanations from LibreTexts, including the OpenStax textbook
– associated sample problems and solutions
We are currently testing the software at UCI with existing tutoring and peer learning projects. Our eventual goal is to be able to scale peer learning efforts across institutions and, with support, the open Web. This Action Lab will place you in the position of a learner to assess the benefits (and pitfalls?) of this kind of approach.
Participants will want to bring their own device, which can be a smartphone, but which preferably should be a tablet or a laptop.
