ENHANCING LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR
FIRST YEAR GEOGRAPHY STUDENTS
 administered by a staff member with a geography discipline background
and tasked with responsibility for PASS
 leaders work closely with course coordinators in preparation of materials
and are considered part of the teaching team
6.4
6.2
6
5.8
5.6
5.4
5.2
5
4.8
4.6
6
Average grade
 based on the Supplemental Instruction (SI) model in USA
Average grade
significant in enhancing learning outcomes (Figs.1, 2) and
minimizing attrition rates (7.5%) for University of
Queensland (UQ) geography students.
 small class size of 10-20 students facilitated by paid, high achieving, second
and third year students
5
4
3
2
1
OP 4-6
OP 7-9
OP 10+
Number of PASS attended
0
0,1,2
OP 1-3
Price, B., Jordan, G.
0
1,2,3
4,5,6,7
8>
Fig.3 PASS attendance: % of class GEOS1100 2008
50
3,4,5
 voluntary, one hour, student-centered and student-directed sessions
 provide immediate feedback within an interactive and friendly, collaborative
learning environment
Fig. 2 All students GEOS1100: effect of tertiary
entrance score (OP 1-26) 2007
7
Fig.1 Improved grades: GEOS1100 Sem II 08
Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) have been
6,7,8
40
9,10
“The PASS leader explains concepts really well and
goes through key topics so I understand concepts
much better. Group participation and activities are
good because hands-on stuff helps you to learn
better.” Student feedback, Sem I 08
Fig. 4.1 PASS: enjoyed most
Sem 1 (182)
% 30
20
Sem II (138)
10
0
Weeks
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Fig 4.2 PASS: student suggestions
 tertiary entrance level, OP10+, students have most to gain (Fig. 2)
 leaders complete 4 hours of formal training, work in pairs and paid the
demonstrator rate (A$35/hr)
 PASS commenced in geography in 1995 for one course and has expanded
to six, first year courses in the School GPEM
games-quiz
work sheets
group work
discussion
butcher's paper
review lecture
more on assessment
more variety
more discussion
fewer butcher's paper exer.
more sessions
smaller classes
 Semester 1 enrolments in PASS are consistently higher than in Semester 2
by 10% (Fig. 3)
 students attending PASS provide useful feedback (Figs. 4.1, 4.2)
 national recognition achieved through a Carrick Award of A$25,000
presented to the UQ PASS team, Canberra Nov 07 for Programs that
Enhance Learning: The First Year Experience
28th Annual Conference on The First Year Experience, Orlando, Florida. Feb 6-10 , 2009
Graham W Jordan, First Year Coordinator ([email protected])
School of Geography, Planning, Environmental Management,
University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Qld. Australia