UPDATE: Wright State University is in the process of revising websites and program materials to accurately reflect compliance with Ohio Senate Bill 1. While this work occurs, language referencing protected class status or other activities prohibited by the law may still appear in some places. As of June 27, 2025, all programs and activities will be administered in compliance with the law.

Peer Instruction Classroom Procedures

Functional Responsibility: Foundations Subcommittee

Peer Instruction (PI) is an active learning strategy that uses problem solving and formative feedback to address learning needs. Peer Instruction requires considerable advance planning on the part of faculty: course design, question writing, editing and peer review of questions, and careful coordination with support staff. To engage in meaningful discussion and maximize learning during PI, students should prepare by reviewing required and suggested preparatory materials.  Adherence with the below procedures will ensure a positive learning environment for both students and faculty. With efficacy rooted in research, PI done ‘right and well’ is a powerful classroom strategy that the students endorse highly.

  • PI sessions are graded. A composite of all PI sessions in a course/module will be contributed to the engaged learning grade as set forth in the course/module grading schema.
  • Students are expected to be on time with their assigned clicker in good working order. Students without a working clicker will be subject to the clicker policy linked below.  Students are still encouraged to stay for the session to engage with their peers.
  • Note-taking: All PI sessions will be “closed book;” however, handwritten note-taking is permitted to help students identify knowledge gaps and guide further study following PI sessions. It is a violation of the Honor Code for students to write specific PI questions and answers verbatim. No recording devices (e.g., phones, visual, or audio) are permitted during a PI session. No PI questions will be posted on the learning management system e.g., Elentra or distributed hard copy to students.
  • No cell phone or other electronic use unless required for the activity e.g., calculators which will be provided. Phones should be on silent and put away during the entire PI session unless specific permission is granted for extenuating circumstances (e.g., medical, child care) that have been approved by the module director or faculty facilitator prior to the start of the session. Any students found to have their cell phone out (without prior approval) will be reported through the EthicsPoint portal.
  • Random seating: MedOPS randomly assigns students to numbered seats prior to class. The advantage of the true random assignment is that every student has a pretty good chance of easily locating a neighboring student with a different answer (part of the instruction) when the first poll reveals < 80% of the class response is correct. Students should sit in their assigned seat. If there is a need to move, approval from the faculty facilitator or module director is required.
  • Be courteous of others
    • Listen when others are speaking
    • Be respectful of each other
    • Collaborate with your peers
    • Late arrivals enter quietly
    • Please refer to the teacher learner expectations for additional details

Peer coaching: What happens when students do not behave professionally by the standards above?

  1. Student is notified that the behavior was noticed (for example, “please put your phone away”) and it will be reported in EthicsPoint for documentation. A pattern of behavior will then be addressed by the ADSAA with referral to Honor Council for professionalism concerns if behavior is ongoing.
  2. Students found writing PI questions and/or answers verbatim will be referred to the Honor Council for Honor Code Violation.
  3. Students who arrive after PI has begun will be documented for tardiness, and habitual lateness will result in referral to Honor Council for professionalism concerns.
  4. If student conversations are louder than the speaking faculty and become a concern—whether raised by faculty or students—a meeting will be scheduled between class leadership and Vice Chair of Foundations. Following this meeting, class leadership will address the issue with the class. If the behavior continues, faculty may end a learning event early, and students will remain responsible for the learning objectives assigned for that day.
  5. The BSOM Foundations or Doctoring Absence Policy will apply when students miss a PI.
  6. Students with missing or non-functional clickers will be held to the clicker policy.

Updated 04/30/2026