Math 28 peer instruction demo  Peer instruction: Step 1: 90 seconds to read the question and vote individually with iclickers. Step 2: After being shown a histogram of how the class voted students have an additional 90 seconds to discuss their answer with a peer and vote again. Step 3: After revealing the correct answer the instuctor goes over the solution.

Math 14 peer instruction demo  When I originally started doing peer instruction in Math 14 there was no structure to student discussion. This was possible since there were only 15 students in the class. However, discussion was often dominated by several student in class leading to overall less active participation.

Math 28 Peer instruction conversation  For this challenging question, students look to the student with the highest status in the group. He explains his answer to his neighbors. Notice that the student in the back asks him what letter he voted for. The students are genuinely concerned about understanding but they also want to vote correctly even if they don't completely understand the answer.

Math 28 another peer instruction conversation  Although the two members at the front of the table are engaged in a good discussion of the problem, the rest of the table is quite passive. The rest of the group appears to have given up on trying to figure out how to solve the problem. For this reason it is important for the instructor to structure group conversations as much as possible. For example, I now tell students to take out paper and pencil and convince the neighbor directly across from them of their answer. After this they may open up the discussion to other members at their table.