Peer learning will take centre stage in the future, says UFI member

Peer learning has a massive role to play in the future of learning and development.

That was the view of Donald Clark, former CEO of e-learning company Epic, who believes that teachers will take a back seat in times to come.

Speaking at the Learning Technologies conference in London this week, Clark said that peer pressure is a key driver at work when it comes to learning, yet professionals hardly ever discuss it in the workplace.

The UFI board member said that people respond better when amongst their peers in comparison to when they're in a teaching environment due to the relaxed nature they find themselves in when amongst friends. He added that the pressure they may face when in a teaching environment may force them to be less receptive.

"Peer learning encourages critical thinking and engagement. Peers are closer to the friends and find it easier to communicate with each other easily," said Clark.

"Research shows that peers prefer to be trained by trainers who are younger and inexperienced as they find it easier to relate to the subject matter and end up being more engaged.

"Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are playing a much bigger role in terms of learning and development. Younger pupils tend to ask each other for help on sites like these and prefer collaborative working to get the job done rather than asking the teacher in the classroom."

The 2012 learning and skills show is an event showcasing technology in workplace learning. For more information, visit www.learningtechnologies.co.uk/