Peer to Peer

1. Peer to Peer Presentation by Jane Ball Academic Skills Tutor &Teaching Excellence Fellow 6th July 2012

2. Aim The development of students through mentoring at Staffordshire University

3. Outline • What works? Results of the HEA research • Linking to the Staffordshire Graduate • A university approach through volunteering and paid employment

4. Recent research

5. What works? “Our findings indicate that support provided by the institution plays a key role in ensuring student progress and a more positive student experience overall. Our key findings show that providing structured support, fostering engagement, managing expectations, enabling a sense of belonging are all central in helping institutions to retain their students.” (Morey & Robbins, 2012:2)

6. When required? This is backed by the research of Andrews and Clarke into the need for peer mentoring. This was conducted at six HE institutions and concluded that there are several important reasons to establish mentoring: in the transition period at the start of university to develop a sense of belonging and to raise student achievement

7. Types of academic mentoring

8. Linking to ‘The Staffordshire Graduate’

9. Mentoring andemployability Andrews and Clarke (2012) demonstrated the link between mentoring and the development of skills required by employers.

10. Volunteering

11. Develops basic employability skills • Opportunities • Supporting new students during ‘Welcome Week’ • Aspirational mentoring, validated by the Stoke Children’s University were applicable, in local academies, high schools and primary schools • Aspirational mentoring during Open Days • Sports coaching, validated by the Stoke Children’s University were applicable • Work with institutions and organisations within the local community, for example, The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery liaising with the Stoke Children’s University as applicable • Employability skills developed • Time management: punctuality and reliability • Presenting a positive personal image • Accepting responsibility • Responding flexibly to changing situations • Self-reliance • Giving and accepting constructive criticism • Self-reflection and self-improvement • Achievement of goals • Learning new skills as required

12. Paid student employment opportunities

13. Develops leadership, management & co-ordination skills • Opportunities • Management & co-ordination of Welcome Week volunteers • Aspirationalmentoring within local academies and colleges with prospective undergraduates • Management & co-ordination of volunteers supporting at Open Days and other events • Class support for example, at the Maths and English Summer Schools or on the Step up to HE programme • Representing the University at Recruitment Fairs • Employability skills developed • Leadership skills - persuasion, negotiation and diplomacy • Management skills - decision making and problem solving • Co-ordination skills - organisation, delegation and team work

14. Acknowledgements • I would like to thank the following people for allowing me to • view and discuss their practice in mentoring: Jane Andrews, University of Aston Kim Davies, University of Bangor Steve Parton, University of Bournemouth Marcia Williams, University of Manchester • and from Staffordshire University: Sarah Duffy – Faculty of Arts Media and Design Jill Freeman – Careers John Holden – Faculty of Arts Media and Design Jonathan Pace – Students’ Union Jean Simpson – Faculty of Science Helen Thurstan – Student Recruitment and Admissions David Wheeler – Faculty of Arts Media and Design

15. Conferences Attended • HEA conference 2012 ‘What Works? Student Retention and • Success.’ - University of York - March 28th and 29th 2012 • ALDinHE Conference 2012 ‘Learning Development in a • digital age’ – University of Leeds – April 2nd to 4th 2012

16. Useful references • References • Andrews, Dr J. & Clarke, R (2012) Peer Mentoring Works! How • Peer Mentoring Enhances Student Success in Higher Education. • What Works? Student Retention and Success Conference. • University of York May 28th – 29th 2012. Birmingham : Aston • University • Morey, S and Robbins, Dr S (2012) Comparing and evaluating the • impacts onstudent retention of different approaches to supporting • students through study adviceand personal development. What • Works? Student Retention and Success Conference. University of • York May 28th – 29th 2012. Reading & Oxford:HEA

17. Jane’s contact details • Call: 01782 29 4988 • Email: j.ball@staffs.ac.uk • Visit: D115 Thompson Library, Cadman Building, College Road, Stoke

18. Any questions ?