The Peer Contribution Plaudit involves students noting down peer contributions they appreciated and putting them somewhere everyone can see them (usually using digital platforms) at the end of a class or group discussion or activity.
The contributions include, but are not limited to, helpful questions, comments that clarified something, and contributions that sparked a new way of thinking.
As well as building community, contributing to the Plaudit helps students reflect on what they learned not only from the educator, but also from their peers, during the class.
Instructions
- Explain the purpose of the activity. Clarify what types of contributions students are encouraged to note. Encourage students to appreciate a variety of contributions.
- Direct students to access the designated discussion board after a discussion or at the end of a class. Encourage them to post appreciative comments about their peers’ contributions.
Resources
An online discussion forum
Variations
- Continue the discussion: Rather than just being a plaudit, this could be an opportunity for students to add questions or comments that they didn’t get to raise during the discussion itself. Ensure that students understand that these are to be respectful and constructive and that no student is obligated to continue engaging in the discussion if they do not wish to.
- Make it in-person: Rather than writing their plaudits, students could volunteer to call out contributions they found helpful in person.