Peer Teaching: A New Step to Improve Education, Learning and Student Satisfaction

Background: In peer teaching, students act as both teachers and learners. Peer teaching can be a useful way to learn courses in interdisciplinary fields of study. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the viewpoint of health information technology students about learning through peer teaching. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017 at Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Undergraduate students in the health information technology department using the peer teaching method participated. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisting of 42 questions assesses students' attitudes toward peer teaching. It consisted of two categories: "learning improvement" and "students' satisfaction with the peer teaching." Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: A total of 52 students participated in the study. Regarding learning improvement, the mean score of development of individual skills, improvement of students' learning, and improvement of peer performance were 3.43 ±1.05, 3.34 ±1.08, and 3.37 ±1.03, respectively. In terms of student satisfaction the mean score of interaction between learner and teacher, knowledge transferred to the student, and the class conditions were 3.52 ±1.10, 3.31 ±1.09, and 3.21 ±1.15, respectively. Students who attended more in peer classes were more satisfied and their learning improved (P 0.05). Conclusion: From the students' point of view, peer teaching can improve their learning. Also, the students were satisfied with the training provided by their peers. Peer teaching can be a complement to the teacher-centered method by providing a positive experience.