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Making the first year count. Peer Mentoring. Peer Mentoring. The Initial Need. Biological Psychology first year module difficulties highlighted the need for academic assistance Student led one hour sessions in the lead up to the January exam
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Making the first year count Peer Mentoring
Peer Mentoring The Initial Need • Biological Psychology first year module difficulties highlighted the need for academic assistance • Student led one hour sessions in the lead up to the January exam • Other pockets of activity of first year mentoring
Peer Mentoring Mentoring Schemes • Student Coaching Network in Tremough for Biosciences • Otago University, New Zealand • Manchester University
Peer Mentoring Manchester : PASS • Began in America where it is known as Supplemental Instruction (SI) • PASS – Peer Assisted Study Sessions • Supplement the academic programme • Students facilitating learning in other students, not teaching • 2 days of initial training split over 4 half day workshops • Discipline based and student led
Hierarchy at Manchester Teaching and learning Manager Teaching and Learning advisor Sabbatical officers Staff coordinators Student coordinators PASS leaders Students
Peer Mentoring Manchester : Peer Mentoring • Pastoral service separate from PASS • Two hours of initial training plus follow up sessions • One-on-one partnership initiated before the start of term • Discipline based and student led
Peer Mentoring Issues • Lack of attendance -Students labeling themselves as having a problem -Students didn’t have something in particular to ask -PASS is not necessary for all modules • Overlap between PASS and Peer Mentoring
Derfel Owen Student engagement and participation manager Peer Mentoring Staff Coordinator PASS and peer mentoring at Exeter Student Leaders Students • Aid to first year students academically and pastorally • Scaled down hierarchy • University based and student led
Peer Mentoring Peer mentoring at Exeter • TimetablingMyExeter timetable Lecture gaps • Training Facilitating learning not teaching • Incentives Access to exclusive employability events Access to other paid work opportunities
Peer Mentoring Peer Mentoring at Exeter • Sessions should be run in response to a particular need from students • Publicity of the scheme with an opt-out procedure • Expectations of students must be correct through appropriate publicity
Peer Mentoring What next? • Trialed at Exeter within disciplines that have identified a ‘problem’ module - e.g. Biological Psychology first year module Improve the first year experience through the establishment of a supportive environment, enabling deeper understanding of fundamental academic principles and increasing individual confidence.