Demystifying Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS): What…?, How….?, Who…? Why…?

1. Demystifying Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS): What…?, How….?, Who…? Why…? Marcia Ody: marcia.ody@manchester.ac.uk Teaching and Learning Manager, The University of Manchester Consultant, Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning Independent Consultant

2. Workshop outline • Supplemental Instruction • PASS and The University of Manchester Model • Why, What, How… • Experiencing PASS • Benefits • Practicalities

3. Supplemental Instruction (SI) • 1973 – pioneered at UMKC • Establishment of International Centre for SI (http://www.umkc.edu/cad/si/) • Internationally renowned academic support & retention program • Over 1500 institutions in 29 countries have participated in SI training workshops • Training delivered by UMKC & National Certified trainers • 1990s - Kingston University adapted the USA model of SI for use in British Higher Education Institutions • Adoption of 21 Principles • Name change

4. 21 Principles of SI • is a methodology for learner support • is small group learning • is facilitated by other students acting as mentors • is confidential • is voluntary • is non-remedial • is participative • is content-based and process-oriented

5. 21 Principles of SI • encourages collaborative, rather than competitive learning • benefits all students regardless of current academic competency • gives privacy to practise the subject, make mistakes and build up confidence • gives opportunity to increase academic performance • is pro-active, not reactive • targets high `risk´ courses, not high `risk´ students • decreases drop-out rates and aids retention

6. 21 Principles of SI • encourages learner autonomy • does not create dependency • integrates effective learning strategies within the course content • enables a clear view of course expectations • works in the language of the discipline • challenges the barrier between year groups

7. The main purpose of Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) • Support the student learning experience by encouraging collaborative, exploratory discussion in a safe environment • Improve academic performance and achievement and increase retention • Provide an additional mechanism for communication and feedback between teaching staff and students • Encourage a student centred approach to learning through greater peer interaction • Enhance the learning experience and Personal Development of PASS leaders

8. The PASS Approach • Trained student leaders facilitate study sessions in pairs • PASS is voluntary • Content is based on course materials • PASS leaders are engaged in: • sharing their experience • facilitating discussion rather than re-teaching the subject • Students compare notes, clarify what they read and hear, analyse, criticise, question and seek verification of ideas

9. Main Features of PASS(Produced as a leaflet for 1st year students) • PASS is about exploratory discussion, not being told the answers • PASS is about active learning- learning by discussing and thinking • The more everyone joins in, the better sessions will work • The PASS leader is here to facilitate, to help YOU learn, find the answers by discussion and the use of lecture notes • PASS is a safe place to admit not understanding • The PASS leader is NOT here to teach or tell you the answers • You can decide what is discussed in PASS sessions • PASS is not a replacement for lectures, seminars, etc- it is there to back them up. • PASS is confidential • PASS is informal, friendly and hopefully FUN!

10. The University of Manchester’s model summarised: PASS establishes a supportive environment, enabling deeper conceptual understanding of fundamental academic principles and increasing individual confidence rather than superficial strategic learning to pass exams

11. PASS Session in action

12. Can you spot the PASS leaders?

13. The 3 workshops Only by ‘SI-Supervisor’ trained by UMKC Continually stress ‘supplemental to teaching’ and that they will facilitate, not teach Workshop 1 Introduction History of SI PASS at Manchester 21 Principles First year experience Facilitation Communication Workshop 2 Icebreaker Questioning Thinking and Learning Group Discussions Mock PASS Sessions Workshop 3A Mock PASS Session Effective Listening Communication Cycle Difficult Incidents Benefits of Group Work What to do now…?! Workshop 3B Promoting PASS Your First Session …ongoing training!

14. Manchester Scheme Where is it? 1995 – 1 discipline and 10 student leaders 2005 – 11 disciplines and 250 student leaders 2008 – 14 disciplines and 350+ student leaders also piloting in higher years Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Life Sciences, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, Economics, Music, Econometrics Middle Eastern Studies and Psychology

15. Range of approaches • Content of session • Based on whole course • Generic module (building blocks) • Specific (historically difficult) module • Structure of session • Student led and Agenda based • PASS sheet • Size of scheme • 5 leaders to 80 leaders

16. Case Studies • Life Sciences • 70 Leaders, Whole course material/Tutorial group • Chemistry • 54 Leaders, General Chemistry/ PASS Sheet • Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering • 40 Leaders, Specific module/agenda discussion • Computer Science • 34 Leaders, Specific module/PASS Sheet

17. Experiencing PASS

18. Benefits of PASS • Institutional & Faculty Level • Improving the student experience & academic performance • Reducing student drop out rates • Widening access to an increasingly diverse student body • School & Discipline Level • Providing staff with regular & ongoing feedback • Highlighted as good practice by QAA • Improves student study skills • Fostering a spirit of community

19. Benefits of PASS • Student Level • Provides support & guidance • Non-threatening & non-remedial • Social benefits • Increased academic confidence • Improved communication, teamwork, collaborative problem solving & interpersonal skills

20. PASS in FLS? HEA Centre for Bioscience – Science Learning & Teaching Conference 2007 http://www.sltc.heacademy.ac.uk/proceedings.htm

21. PASS in FLS? HEA Centre for Bioscience – Science Learning & Teaching Conference 2007 http://www.sltc.heacademy.ac.uk/proceedings.htm

22. Benefits of PASS • PASS Leaders • Personal development opportunity • Skills development - leadership, communication, teamwork etc • Opportunity to reflect, review and re-evaluate • Increased academic performance • Recognition and Reward

23. PASS in Computer ScienceImpact on Leader results • PASS Leaders • Class C (PASS Leader in 2nd and 3rd year) Class C2 (PASS Leader only in 2nd year) Class C3 (PASS Leader only in 3rd year) Class D (not a PASS Leader) • Sample size Leaders for all years (n=143)

24. PASS in Computer ScienceImpact on Leader results Average Overall Exam Mark

25. PASS Leader Support • Ongoing training • Advanced Facilitation Skills • Learning Theory • Group Dynamics • PricewaterhouseCoopers Personal Development and Effectiveness Training • Surgeries • Debrief • Student and Staff Coordinators

26. Students Staff Coordinator Teaching and Learning Manager marcia.ody@manchester.ac.uk Teaching and Learning Adviser william.carey@manchester.ac.uk Faculty Internships Student Coordinators PASS Leaders Structure – how is it set up? Quality Assurance, Training, Specialist Advice Trained SI Supervisors

27. Practicalities • Identification of central support & co-ordination • Approval, awareness & value of PASS by course teaching team • Training of staff • Levels of implementation • Consultation with staff & students • Timetabling of PASS • Recruitment of PASS leaders • Training of leaders • Co-ordination & ongoing support • Monitoring & evaluation • Ability & resource to support the enthusiast