Learning Achievement Schemes & Peer mentoring Supporting student progression & skills Learning Achievement Schemes & Peer mentoring Kayleigh Gibson Learning Achievement & Mentoring Manager (LLS)

Learning & Achievement @ UEL Academic Pastoral Academics Support Services Specialist(staff) LAAs (Learning & Achievement Advisors) Generalists (staff) Peer (student) LAMs (Learning & Achievement Mentors) Peer Mentors

Origins LAA & LAM schemes introduced to provide support for students’ progression (Stay on Track) and add an additional layer of support ahead of the Academic Framework Review 15 LAAs started in Oct 13’; 20 LAMs started in Dec 13’ Together they have supported over 1169 students in 2013/14 As former students they know how students are feeling and where they are in their student journey, putting them in the perfect position to help students develop their academic skills throughout the year. Non engagement indicators include low attendance, non submission of work,, poor feedback from assignments, PT/PL or ML referrals. + 364 students during study fest

Learning & Achievement Advisors Recent graduates Full time staff 9am-5pm Monday to Friday Learning & Achievement Mentors Current high achieving students Term time only Max 5 hours per week

Learning Achievement Advisors (LAAs) LAMs were introduced to compliment the great work of the existing Learning Achievement Assistants in each School. Kayleigh will outline the work of the LAAs shortly and the reasons for their introduction. The main difference being that LAMs are current students and the LAAs are UEL alumni.

Help struggling or non engaging students with their studies Learning Achievement Advisors (LAAs) Recent UEL graduates who help students stay on track with their studies Help struggling or non engaging students with their studies Identify & support students using academic referrals/assessment results Many students self refer and return for support 1-1 support by appointment or drop in as well as workshops and some in programme support As former students they know how students are feeling and where they are in their student journey, putting them in the perfect position to help students develop their academic skills throughout the year. Non engagement indicators include low attendance, non submission of work,, poor feedback from assignments, PT/PL or ML referrals.

How do they help students? Provide 1-2-1 study skills support Build student confidence, goal setting, time management, action planning, organisation, motivation and study skills Support students through identification of skills needs Provide support in relation to academic writing, essay planning and research skills Refer and follow up students for pastoral support services

What can’t they help students with? Proofreading Indicating what marks an assignment is likely to get Advice on extenuation or academic misconduct cases LAAs will not do students work for them, but will provide the tools to become independent learners.

LAA Statistics 2013-14 School Sem A Sem B No Students seen No of appointments ACE 39 60 53 89 ADI 62 107 93 108 CASS 67 48 125 127 Combined 34 13 28 HSB 37 43 20 LSS 63 104 145 178 Psychology 72 87 RDBS 126 144 139 283 Total 456 568 660 948 1116 students and 1516 appointments (Oct 13- May 14)

‘63- 64- 70-69-70-73 and quote from my lecturer “This is an exceptionally good introduction. You rephrase the question, you outline in detail how your essay will progress, and you immediately convince me that this is going to be a good piece of work”. I have gone from 40s/50s to 60s and 70. Thank you so much for your help this semester. I would not have got these marks if it was not for you two’ I'm a current second year student and just wanted to feedback on (the LAAs) assistance through this second semester. She has been so much help and has guided myself and other colleagues through coursework and exams, with no hesitance whatsoever.  She has been my first point of call since the beginning of the exam season and has never failed to get back to me within a day. I hope that you will appreciate her hard work, as I know I do, and so do many other students.

Learning Achievement Mentors (LAMs) LAMs were introduced to compliment the great work of the existing Learning Achievement Assistants in each School. Kayleigh will outline the work of the LAAs shortly and the reasons for their introduction. The main difference being that LAMs are current students and the LAAs are UEL alumni.

Learning Achievement Mentors (LAMs) Current successful students who help their fellow students achieve their full academic potential LAMs liaise with Learning and achievement Advisors to identify and refer students who would benefit from a mentor Offer guidance on the development of Academic and study skills Draw up agreed action plans with mentees to help progression Share their experience and knowledge of being a UEL student and offer encouragements and insights Hold regular meetings with mentees and record the discussion and plans ( Max 3 meetings per students) Respect confidentiality of the mentees

Number of LAMs per School Number of Students Supported by LAMs LAM Statistics 2013-14 School Number of LAMs per School Number of Students Supported by LAMs ACE 4 13 ADI 2 1 CASS 10 HSB LSS 3 12 Psychology 5 RDBS 11 Total 21 53 Average number of appointments with LAMs per student 1-2. Type of Support Offered: Planning of academic work Time management Utilising online resources Tips on proofreading own work Referencing and ‘Cite Them Right’ Advice on using ‘Turn-it-in’ Advice on how to obtain feedback from module supervisor Revision Techniques Language Centre referral for English Language support Essay planning Advice on effective note taking

Peer Mentoring at UEL Sarah Bailey UEL Student Peer & LAM Mentoring Coordinator

What is Peer Mentoring A relationship aimed to provide flexible support to a mentee where there is an opportunity to explore options and monitor yours and their progress A Mentor is an individual who can offer guidance, support and knowledge. UEL Peer Mentors are 2nd,3rd or Post Grad year students who are already a few steps ahead in their university career so are able to do this Mentors will meet with their mentee once a week for the first month and then once every 2 weeks Any new UEL student can apply to the Peer Mentoring Scheme to be allocated a peer mentor. Peer Mentors are usually 2nd or 3rd years who have all been new students themselves once and so will know how new students feel, being at a large new university in new surroundings and feeling like they don’t know anyone or know how things are done. But is important while supporting new students to help them stand on their own too feet not be overly protective or impose your views of how they should do things. Mentors meet with their mentees once per week for the first month and them once every two weeks after that. The scheme lasts for one semester.

Aims of the scheme Students Supporting Students Mentors get recognition for their work Students Supporting Students Mentees learn from the experience of their fellow students Mentors build their skills and confidence "Mentoring involves primarily listening with empathy, sharing experience (usually mutually), professional friendship, developing insight through reflection, being a sounding board, encouraging" - David Clutterbuck Aims are: Students supporting students by welcoming them to university and helping them settle in. To help mentees learn from their fellow students’ experiences which will help them to find their feet more quickly. By mentoring others It will help peer mentors to build their communication skills and self confidence which I will expand upon later Mentors receive recognition for all of their work in helping their fellow students again which I will cover later.

Benefits to Mentors Benefits to Mentors Join a network where they have access to extra skills workshops, social events and career opportunities Opportunity to meet new people, make contacts and friends Enhance their CV and gain recognition (Mentoring Certificate & Job Reference provided) Develop key skills in leadership By becoming mentors students benefit by: Joining a network of peer mentors and mentees where they are provided with opportunities to attend specialist workshops on for example improving their leadership and communication skills, improving their social media skills and project management and employability skills. We also hold social events from time to time where students involved in the scheme can meet new people, make contacts and friends. We also regularly circulate particular employment and volunteering opportunities to our mentors and mentees via email, Facebook and twitter. Enhance their CV by providing examples of enhanced skills and also receive a certificate of participation and a job reference on request. By helping to guide and support their mentee through their initial semester , mentors also develop key leadership skills.

Benefits to Mentees Benefits to Mentees Ease transition into life at UEL and Learn the “rules of the game” Opportunity to meet new people, make contacts and friends Receive advice, support, encouragement and motivation Improve their confidence, interpersonal skills and communication skills Mentees will benefit by: Having an easier transition into life at UEL and learning how things work and what is expected of them as a student here. Being giving the opportunity to make new contacts and friends by being signposted to groups and societies by their mentors Being given advice, support, encouragement and being motivated to make their own way at UEL. This advice and support and taking part in regular meetings with their mentor will improve their self confidence, communication, planning and interpersonal skills.

How the Scheme works Induction training for both mentors and mentees Matching of mentor and mentee by course and school Ongoing support from the Peer Mentoring Coordinator, regular reviews, special events, and further personal development training for mentors/mentees We don’t just train our peer mentors, we also train our mentees so that they know exactly how to take full advantage of the support offered and how to utilise it effectively. We aim to match mentors and mentees by course but if this is not possible due to no mentor being available, then definitely by School. All students receive ongoing support from the Peer Mentoring Coordinator and are invited to a review halfway through the semester and to special events and skills training sessions that we organise for mentors and mentees.

How students apply Apply via www.uel.ac.uk/lls/peermentoring/ We email student back within 24 hours and invite them to a mentor/mentee training session. After the training we match student to their mentor/mentee and they are expected to make contact via email within 7 days – Mentors/Mentees are from the same course or School. Mentor and mentee meet and start being part of a fantastic experience and scheme!

Any Questions?

K.i.gibson@uel.ac.uk or Sbailey@uel.ac.uk Contact Details K.i.gibson@uel.ac.uk or Sbailey@uel.ac.uk LAAs: www.uel.ac.uk/lls/laas LAMs: www.uel.ac.uk/lls/lams/ Peer Mentoring: www.uel.ac.uk/lls/peermentoring/ peermentoring@uel.ac.uk UEL Peer Mentoring UEL Peer Mentor