One practice of utilizing peers as teachers is to place them in group settings. This encourages everyone to get involved. Because members of the group may not have the same strengths or weaknesses, group work allows for different members to step forward in different capacities. For example, one participant may be more verbal while another is more capable of summarizing and writing information. Group work helps peers teach peers by forcing the group to utilize qualities for one common resolution. Each person teaches the others in the process.
Leadership styles often differ between peers. In order for these differences to be used in a teaching setting, you may want to switch leaders often. For example, if you have a group scenario you may ask one person to facilitate one part of the discussion and another person to do so later on. The experience of looking toward a peer for leadership is a powerful teaching tool. You will see that your group or organization will learn something from each style of leadership, and new and fresh methods may appear.
If you have ever witnessed a child ignore the wisdom or direction of a parent and then listen to a friend saying the same thing, you are seeing the concept of "like teaches like" in action. People of all ages tend to agree more with the opinions and directions of those in their age, sex or status groups. There is a sense of shared experience and knowledge that drives the interaction. Even with difficult subject matter, this is the case. For example, UNICEF has found that youth in shared age groups are much more able to communicate and teach each other about sexual risks for HIV infection.
Many employees and teachers submit some form of annual review of work done and goals for the following year. As part of this review, you may have been asked to allow peers into your primary work space to evaluate your abilities and complete a peer review. For example, as a teacher you may have a peer sit in on a few classes. At the completion of these observations, the peer will complete an evaluation and make recommendations for you. As peers experience the same challenges and environment, their comments may teach you new methods and perhaps highlight areas that you can work to improve.