Student Panel: Students Teaching Students

By Amanda Randazzo
EDI 15A: Psychological Perspective: Teaching & Learning

College of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post
September , 2010

Today in class we had a panel of students answer various questions that fellow students had. Professor dengting also answered questions. Each student on the panel asked questions and also gave excellent advice. When the exercise first began I was unsure what to expect. I was not expecting to take many notes or learn very much. I though everything the students would say would be things I would already know. I was very surprised at what I learned. I took so many notes! I took up two pages of my notebook. I learned so much key information from my peers.

My research paper is on how culture affects learning. Some one in the class brought up the topic before I was able to. I was very interested in knowing the panelist opinion on this topic. One panelist suggested that you try and understand their culture. It is important to understand where they are coming from. Professor Dengting gave us a great example. She said she had a student of Chinese decent. In the Chinese culture the parents put a huge priority on education. She noticed this student had very low self confidence. She seemed paranoid in the class. Professor Dengting talked to her and it allowed her to relax in the classroom. This was great advice and also great information for my research.

Another good point we discussed today was strictness. Professor Dengting advised us to be bit more strict during your first couple years of teaching. As you progress and a respect level is established then you may relax a bit. Balance is also very important in teaching. You must know when to be strict and when to back off a little bit. Today’s class assisted me greatly and I look forward to putting what I learned into my future teaching.