PAL Leader Training at Bournemouth University National HE STEM Programme – South West Spoke

1. PAL Leader Training at Bournemouth University National HE STEM Programme – South West Spoke Steve Parton – PAL Coordinator Vicki Noad – Peer Mentoring Assistant

2. What we will cover: • PAL at BU • PAL Initial Training • PAL Follow-Up Training • PAL Online Communities • How Training has Developed (2001-2011) • Feedback from Leaders • Future Goals

3. PAL Leaders do not teach Facilitate discussion/share experiences PAL at BU: The role of the PAL Leader • Weekly/fortnightly sessions • PAL integrated into course programmes • (Fleming & Hurne 2004)

4. Aims of PAL To help students: • adjust quickly to university life; • acquire a clear view of course direction and expectations; • develop their independent learning and study skills to meet the requirements of higher education; • enhance their understanding of the subject matter of their course through collaborative group discussion; • prepare better for assessed work and examinations. (Fleming 2009A)

5. Overview: Training PAL Leaders Training comprises of: • 2 days of Initial Training for new Leaders in June/September (Compulsory) • Weekly Follow-Up Training throughout 1st Term (Optional) (Fleming 2009)

6. Aims of Initial Training To provide leaders with: • An overview of main ideas upon which PAL is based • Activities and techniques that leaders should use to run sessions effectively and structure group discussions • Awareness of various situations that may arise and evaluate best ways to approach them • Opportunities to put skills and techniques into practice • Opportunities to meet experienced PAL Leaders (Fleming 2009B)

7. Initial Training Approach Modelling: • Create active learning environment which models approach Leaders use in their PAL sessions • Variety of small group learning techniques – pairs, rounds, pyramid, jigsaw, etc. • Frequently move leaders around • Emphasis on re-directing questions Logistics: • Optimum number of Leaders for initial training is 30 • Room layout • Make considerable use of PAL Leader Student Guide • Record responses to discussions (Fleming 2009B)

8. Content of Initial Training 2011 (Smith et al. 2011) Day 2: • Simulated PAL Sessions • Debriefing on Simulated PAL Sessions • Additional Learning Support awareness • Cultural awareness • Q & A session with experienced PAL Leader • Boundary Setting • Meet Course Contact • Planning First Session Day 1: • What PAL is about • Experiences of PAL • How to run PAL sessions (Video and Discussion) • Resources available on VLE (PAL Central & course-specific PAL Communities) • Similarities & Differences between PAL & Teaching • Simulated PAL Sessions • Debriefing on Simulated PAL Sessions

9. PAL Online Communities PAL Leaders are granted Read-Only access to all Level C Units All PAL Leaders, Course Contacts, and PAL Co-ordination Team have access to PAL Central Each course has its own PAL Community just for PAL Leaders and Level C Students (Smith 2009)

10. PAL Follow Up Training • Weekly additional training throughout 1st Term • Topics include: • BU Student Development Award • Student Representation • More Productive Group work • Study Habits and Time Management • Plagiarism and Referencing • New Skills and Your CV

11. How Training has Developed (2001-2011) 2010: Streamlined PAL Leader Guide and available on PAL Central 2002: Weekly/bi-weekly training offered 2001-2004: HEFCE Funded Project aimed at raising attrition rates 2011: Monthly Newsletter for Leaders 2007: PAL Leader Video 2001: PAL introduced, 3-8 PAL Leaders in School of Tourism 2 Day Initial Training 2008: Buddy Scheme (Final year Top-Up students) 2002-2010: PAL expands to all schools 2011: 151 PAL Leaders trained 2010: PAL Online Communities

12. Feedback from Leaders Training helped understand the role of a PAL Leader: • “Learning the importance of guiding students to the correct answer rather than giving them the answer,” • – PAL Leader Training 19-20 September 2011 • “Support their learning rather than teaching them new things,” • –PAL Leader Training 19-20 September 2011 • “Knowing what the boundaries in PAL are,” • – PAL Leader Training 22-23 September 2011

13. Feedback from Leaders Training will be useful for running sessions: • “It was great to have the opportunity to try out some techniques and good fun,” • – PAL Leader Training 19-20 September 2011 • “Developing an awareness of re-directing questions,” • –PAL Leader Training 19-20 September 2011 • “Discussing situations that may arise and how to deal with them,” • – PAL Leader Training 19-20 September 2011 • “Learning how to manage groups by effective learning techniques such as the pyramid and asking the right kinds of questions,” • – PAL Leader Training 22-23 September 2011

14. Feedback from Leaders Training developed Leaders personally: • “Made us think what to do,” • – PAL Leader Training 15-16 September 2011 • “The simulated PAL sessions were good because it involved everyone and gives you an understanding of what’s expected and how it feels,” • – PAL Leader Training 22-23 September 2011 • “In showing where my strengths and weakness are,” • – PAL Leader Training 22-23 September 2011 • “Gaining my personal confidence before my first time as a PAL leader,” • – PAL Leader Training 19-20 September 2011

15. Goals for the Future • Further enhance training by producing a video with current PAL Leaders about their experience • Focus groups with PAL Leaders; and also with PAL Groups • Explore demand for PAL across all academic years and training needs

16. Thank you! Any Questions?

17. References Cited Fleming, H., 2009A. Peer Assisted Learning (PAL): an overview. Poole: Bournemouth University. Available from: http://pal.bournemouth.ac.uk/ [Accessed 22 October 2011]. Fleming, H, 2009B. Training PAL Leaders. Poole: Bournemouth University. Available from: http://pal.bournemouth.ac.uk/training.html [Accessed 26 October 2011]. Fleming, H., and Hurne, J., 2004. PAL Project: Final Report. Mar. 2004. Poole: Bournemouth University. Available from: http://pal.bournemouth.ac.uk/documents/final_report.pdf [Accessed 27 October 2011]. Smith, T., 2010. PAL Central. Poole: Bournemouth University . Available from: https://mybu.bournemouth.ac.uk/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp [Accessed 20 October 2011]. Smith, T., Parton, S., Knight, M., and Fleming, H., 2011. Peer Assisted Learning Student Guide 2011-2012. Poole: Bournemouth University. [Unpublished]

18. Further Reading Capstick, S., and Fleming, H., 2004. The Learning Environment of Peer Assisted Leaning. Poole: Bournemouth University. Available from: http://pal.bournemouth.ac.uk/documents/Lrng%20Envirmnt%20of%20PAL%204.pdf [Accessed 21 November 2011]. Jacobs, G., Hurley, M., and Unite, C. 2008. How learning theory creates a foundation for SI leader training. The Australasian Journal of Peer Learning, 1 (1), 6-12. Lipsky, S. A. 2006. A credit-bearing course for SI training leaders. In M. E. Stone & G. Jacobs., eds. Supplemental Instruction: New visions for empowering student learning. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 33- 42.