Peer-assisted Learning in Safety Education Courses to Increase the College Students’ Achievement, Collaboration Ability and Satisfaction

Abstract

Background and Aim: The safety education courses at colleges typically address specific events and crises reactively rather than proactively cultivating an ongoing culture of "active safety." Traditional lecturing methods dominate, often failing to engage students personally or foster critical awareness and skills. This study explores the implementation of Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) in safety education to enhance learning outcomes for physics majors at Guangxi Normal University for Nationalities. The aims are to: (1) assess the impact of PAL on students' academic achievement in safety topics, (2) evaluate the development of cooperative skills, and (3) gauge improvements in student satisfaction with the learning process. Materials and Methods: Thirty students from a freshman physics class participated. They engaged in PAL throughout the course. Data were collected via pre-tests and post-tests, surveys, and interviews, then analyzed using SPSS to evaluate changes in learning achievement, cooperative abilities, and satisfaction levels. Results: The study found that students who participated in PAL significantly improved in all three areas. Test scores increased markedly post-intervention, indicating enhanced understanding and retention of safety education content. Additionally, there was notable advancement in students' abilities to collaborate effectively and marked increases in their overall satisfaction with the educational experience. Conclusion: PAL effectively enhances safety education courses' educational outcomes. By actively engaging students and encouraging peer interaction, PAL can significantly boost academic achievement, develop cooperative skills, and increase student satisfaction, suggesting its broader applicability in educational strategies within college settings.