The Views of Pre-Service Teachers Regarding the Effectiveness of Peer Assisted Learning Method in the Science and Technology Laboratory Practices Course

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to show the views of pre-service teachers about peer-assisted learning method which is a common practice. The peer student group of the research sample (N:40) consisted of 2nd grade pre-service primary teachers attending the Uludag University Faculty of Education during the 2010-2011 academic year and taking the Science and Technology Laboratory Practices course. The peer teacher group (N:10), on the other hand, consisted of 3rd grade pre-service science teachers attending the same faculty and taking the Community Service Practices course. The peer teachers assisted the peer students in the Science and Technology Laboratory Practices course for 10 weeks. This a phenomenological research, which is a qualitative research method. The Peer Teacher Evaluation Form and the Peer Student Evaluation Form, which included 6 open-ended questions, were used for the/our data collection. The data were analyzed through content analysis. It was concluded that peer-assisted learning method makes the Science and Technology Laboratory Practices course more effective, benefits peer teachers and peer students, and contributes to group work.