Peer learning supported on a social network. A strategy for critical courses in engineering

Abstract

The teaching and learning process is still complex in the engineering area. Traditionally there are imperative courses with a high failure rate because of their complicated topics. This work presents a model of learning support with two fundamental aspects: technological support and peer learning. First, the technological platform is a multi-tooled social network. On the other hand, peer learning includes collaboration, bonding, feedback, and autonomous learning, as fundamental aspects of its implementation. Another crucial element of this model is the active participation of the assistants, who are the peers trained to guide the students in the process. This mentoring takes place in two environments, face-to-face and virtual. The face-to-face environment gathers all the infrastructure and human resources of the Colegio de Ayudantes (institutional unit), while the virtual environment contemplates the social network along with a set of tools that support this model. There are initial results of validation of the platform regarding its use and potential. Although this implementation starts in imperative courses of the faculty, it can be easily expanded to other courses of the university. This implementation can be possible due to the unique characteristics of a social network that self-regulates its growth.