Often in learning systems, teachers fail to take advantage of a vital resource: peer groups. This may be partly due to challenges posed by peer group learning systems. For example, we’ve all had the experience of taking part in a group project in which there were one or more “freeloaders.” For peer learning to be most effective, the teacher must create a system that insures that all students are participating.

Debates, critique sessions, and group projects are just a handful of exciting learning system strategies that are facilitated by the internet. Using group communication such as Google groups and Wikis, teachers have an array of tools at hand. The benefits of peer groups include a sense of team-building, support systems, greater self-esteem, social competence, and better communication skills. Solution: monitor both group and individual progress.