1. Peer Assisted Learning
Presented by:
Susan Whittaker
Alisha Airey
PAL LEADERS

2. Aims
To propose that the use of PAL can contribute to a more inclusive curriculum
To raise awareness of the benefits of PAL as a tool for transition into university life
To outline the processes and joint responsibilities required to make PAL successful within a faculty environment by using best practice examples

3. First a quiz
What do you know about PAL…..
A socrative quiz

4. An Introduction to PAL
“PAL is an academic support scheme where students, trained in mentoring, facilitation and coaching techniques, plan and deliver study support sessions for other students. PAL aims to ease the transition into Higher Education and to provide support for students by other peer students.” (UWE website)
“Peer Assisted Learning involves students (typically from the year above) facilitating discussion sessions for students from the year(s) below. …….It can aid both subject understanding and act as a platform for developing students’ academic literacies and skills.
It is important to note that Peer Assisted Learning is not teaching by students - the sessions present an opportunity for participants to discuss subject content covered in lectures and seminars, or to improve information or academic literacies through shared discussion.”(Leicester University website)

5. How can PAL benefit your course?
“PAL encourages 'active' learning where students can explore answers through discussion
PAL Leaders facilitate group discussion and use various educational materials to enhance learning
sessions are informal and friendly, and provide a safe environment for students to talk about areas of uncertainty
PAL sessions offer supplementary learning support to core lectures, and seminars, practical aspects of your course and aspects of student life
you can decide, in collaboration with others in the group, what is discussed in PAL sessions” ( UWE Website)

6. PAL Background Sweden Canada U.S.A. U.K. Mexico South Africa Australia
PAL is based on the UMKC Supplemental Instruction (SI) model (1973).
1,500 Institutions Worldwide (PAL/PALS/PASS/SI)
50+ UK institutions – UWE (2002)
Sweden
Canada
U.S.A.
U.K.
Mexico
South Africa
Australia

7. STUDENT LIFE PAL LEADERS
PAL Roles
ACADEMIC PAL LEADERS
Academic support
Timetabled sessions course specific
Structured sessions
Additional workshops offered in the library
TECHNICAL PAL LEADERS
Drop in sessions
Support within the making areas on City Campus
Provides students support with re-capping workshops/processes
PAL COACHES
One-to-one support coaching
Pastoral and Academic support
Only on available on Nursing and Midwifery programmes
All level 1 students assigned a buddy
STUDENT LIFE PAL LEADERS
Pastoral support
Emotional Resilience workshops
One-to-one support
Direct Entry transition support
One-to-one support offered to Care Leavers
CAREER PAL LEADERS
One-to-one appointments with a Career PAL leader
Document proof-reading (careers documents): spelling, grammar, sentence structure and general presentation
Support with creating/improving LinkedIn profile
Short video clips for each strand, students can click on each for explanation. Each video to be no more than 2 mins long
Set questions for videos

8. PAL LEADERS
PAL LEADERS INTRODUCTION
THE BENEFITS OF BEING INVOLVED….

9. What are benefits for PAL leaders in being involved?
Develop yourself professionally
Participate in ongoing development opportunities (training, coaching, workshops etc.)
Gain valuable experience to enhance your CV
Build your confidence
Revise and practise your subject
Opportunity to become a Senior PAL Leader in your final year
Receive Recognition for your hard work
Payment (currently £8.45 per hour)
Opportunity to complete a module endorsed by the internationally recognised Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)
Attend our Celebration Ceremony and receive a certificate of achievement
Use it as an activity for the UWE Futures Award

10. Interactive questions
Do you believe that PAL can contribute to a more inclusive curriculum?
Can PAL be used as a tool for transition into university life?

11. How can PAL contribute to a more inclusive curriculum?
Couchman (2008) range of PAL activities “from collaborative and problem-based learning; reviewing course material; practising study techniques, such as planning essays; and the social and university specific aspects of student life, such as using the library or living in student accommodation”
Can be particularly important to students from different backgrounds and cultures.
PAL can also be a tool for transition into university life….

12. PAL as a tool for transition into university life
Chilvers research (2016) – peer learning provides a community of practice – this supports transition into course, discipline and university life and enables social integration into course community”
Also PAL can facilitate adjustment to cultural norms and expectations, encourage social integration, motivate participation and inspire confidence in studying independently.

13. Interactive Session
How can PAL leaders and academics work together to make PAL successful within a faculty environment?

14. Working together: Academics and PAL leaders
Be actively involved in the selection process
Involve PAL leaders in induction activities
Meet with PAL leaders at beginning of term to discuss how course will be delivered – for technical courses may involve giving PAL leaders a question each week for them to work through with students
Have regular meetings with PAL leaders

15. PAL LEADERS AND COORDINATOR
Working with academics
Ideas for best practice

16. The PAL Office Team Oli Schofield, Manager Frenchay
Alisha Airey, PAL Supervisor
Glenside/Gloucester
Zoë Foster-Smith, PAL Supervisor
Ross Elliot, PAL Supervisor (PAL Services; part time)
City Campus
Jayne Saul-Paterson, PAL Supervisor (part time)
Jag Majithia, PAL Supervisor (part time)
Senior PAL Leaders

17. Any questions?
Any questions?