Students’ perception of peer tutor roles in the small group discussion

Abstract

Peer-assisted learning (PAL) is an educational strategy increasing in higher education include in medical education. There are some advantages of PAL for peer tutees and also for peer tutor. The aim of this study was to investigate perception of peer tutees and peer tutor to identify peer tutor roles in the small group discussion. There were 59 students in second-year as peer tutees and 14 students in third-year as peer tutor follow this study for 4 weeks. Peer tutors must take part in coaching and trial before facilitate of peer tutees. At the end of study, peer tutees and peer tutor were given questionnaire to assess the role of peer tutor in the small group discussion. In total 53 peer tutees (89.83%) and 14 peer tutor (100%) finished fill the questionnaire. There were 50 peer tutees (94.30%) agree that peer tutor performed well in their teacher roles and 45 peer tutees (84.90%) agree that peer tutor can serve as effective teacher. Most of peer tutees and peer tutor agree that role of peer tutor as a facilitator and assessor in the small group discussion. Peer tutees also agree that peer tutor as information provider, role model, planner and resource developer but peer tutor disagree. Facilitator and assessor are suitable roles for peer tutor. Increasing roles of peer tutors are needed to improve the ability of peer tutor to fill the expectation of peer tutees.Keyword: peer-assisted learning, peer tutor, small group discussion