The technique of peer assistance involves students helping each other leverage their strengths, knowledge, and skills to enhance the learning experience. In this method, students take on teaching roles for one another, which not only fosters understanding of the material but also builds communication and teamwork skills. This mutual support can lead to a more engaging and interactive learning environment where learners feel empowered to share and explain concepts.
In contrast, direct instruction is a more traditional approach where the instructor delivers content directly to students, thus not involving student-to-student interactions. Negative reinforcement refers to the removal of an unfavorable condition to encourage desired behavior, which does not inherently involve cooperative learning. Collaborative learning, while similar to peer assistance, typically focuses on group work where students collaborate to complete tasks, though it may not specifically emphasize the one-on-one support aspect found in peer assistance. Therefore, peer assistance distinctly highlights the dynamic of students actively helping each other, making it the correct answer.