A2: Peer-to-Peer Learning Networks & Collective Ignorance
1. Presentation Topic
When Peer-to-Peer Networks Go Wrong – How Collaboration Creates Collective Ignorance
2. Background
Unlike traditional classroom environments that include instructors and built-in oversight mechanisms, peer learning networks often lack authoritative moderation or epistemic safeguards. As a result, learners may unintentionally reinforce misconceptions and overconfidence rather than fostering genuine understanding.
It is also unrealistic to assume that unmoderated groups of non-experts like students can reliably produce accurate knowledge simply through collaboration. Without expertise, guidance, or evaluative feedback, peer learning networks are highly susceptible to amplifying errors rather than correcting them.
3. Group Member & Work Plan
Members and Responsibilities:
- toshiyasu(me): responsible for explaining the benefits, problems, and risks of P2P learning networks
- kimmy : responsible for introducing the topic and presenting the direction of our inquiry
- Jia: responsible for strategies, best practices, and tips to prevent the risks we discussed
Although we each worked on separate sections of the presentation, we collaboratively drafted the script to ensure a consistent tone and message across all slides.
After the slides and script were completed, each of us recorded our individual video segment. We then combined the recordings into a single cohesive presentation.
4. Presentation Video
The video summarizes our key findings on the strengths and risks of peer-to-peer learning networks and discusses design strategies to support accurate and productive collaborative learning.