PEER SUPPORT FOR FIRST YEAR
STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL GPEM
UQ POLICY:“Seek to extend the use of Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) across a broader range of programs, initiate a network of PASS
coordinators and enhance PASS leader training.” Teaching and Learning Profile, Incorporating the 2008-2011 Teaching and Learning Enhancement Plan
Regular attendance at PASS gets results
6.4
6.2
6
5.8
GEOS1100
2007
1. ACADEMIC BENEFITS 5.6
5.4
5.2
How Peer Assisted Study Sessions
2008
(PASS) operate:
5
Mean
• Voluntary, one hour, student2009
Grade 4.8
centered and student-directed
4.6
sessions
4.4
2011
• Provide immediate feedback
4.2
within an interactive, friendly and
4
collaborative learning
0,1,2
3,4,5
6,7,8
9,10
environment
Fig.1.1 There is a strong, positive correlation between the
• Small class size (10-20 students)
facilitated by paid, high achieving,
number of PASS attended and average grade achieved.
second/third year students
Leaders complete 4 hours of formal
“I have to say that personally I think PASS was well worth the mention and found that when I had the time to attend it
was well worth while in consolidation of learning and definitely creates a better foundation for students.” Zane
training, and work in pairs
O’Donahoo, Senior Marketing Executive OPEN HOUSE REALTY GROUP. 8 May 2012. Undergraduate, BRTP.
Outcomes of PASS:
• Enhanced learning outcomes
(Fig.1.1, 1.2)
• Very low attrition rates e.g.
GEOS1100 (5.7%, 2011) and
Plan1001 (5.5%, 2011). National
university attrition rate is approx
18% (The Australian, 6/18/09)
• Lower tertiary entrance level
(OP10+) students have most to
gain (Fig.1.2)
• Social benefits. Interaction within
small groups provide social
cohesion and support for those
who may otherwise become
alienated in large classes (Fig.2)
• Varied learning activities keep
students motivated (Fig.3)
7
2. SOCIAL BENEFITS
2011 courses
GEOS1100
PLAN1001
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Student survey
conducted Wk7
112 returns
Undecided
NO
YES
"Fit" into uni life
Make new
friends
Gain confidence
(group work)
Fig.2 PASS is collaborative and new friends are
made which may reduce attrition.
Students with lower entry scores (OP 10+)have most to gain
GEOS1100
6
3. WHAT ACTIVITIES DO STUDENTS LIKE?
OP 1-3
5
Mean
Grade
OP 4-6
OP 7-9
4
butcher's
paper 15%
worksheet
20%
discussion
20%
group work
12%
review
lecture 11%
games,
quizzes
22%
OP 10+
3
0
No. of PASS attended
1,2,3
4,5,6,7
8+
Fig.3 A variety of techniques keep students motivated.
Fig.1.2 Effect of tertiary entrance scores on grade and attendance.
25th International Conference on the First Year Experience, Vancouver, Canada 16 -19 July, 2012
Graham Jordan
First Year Coordinator, School Geography Planning Environmental Management.