Peer-assisted learning - an antidote for spoonfeeding? Reflections on peer-assisted learning activites in a veterinary curriculum

Peer-assisted learning (PAL) is a potentially valuable teaching tool for students on veterinary and medical curricula, helping them to develop crucial learning, teaching and meta-adaptive skills (Lizzio & Wilson, 2004) which will serve them during their undergraduate studies and throughout their future careers. This reflective article describes experiences of PAL activities on a UK veterinary degree course, and discusses potential reasons for success and failure of such activities. Advice is given for anyone planning to implement, or reviewing their own experiences of PAL.