Learning Achievement Schemes & Peer mentoring

1. Supporting student progression & skills Learning Achievement Schemes & Peer mentoring Kayleigh Gibson Learning Achievement & Mentoring Manager (LLS)

2. Learning & Achievement @ UEL Academic Pastoral Academics Support Services Specialist(staff) LAAs (Learning & Achievement Advisors) Generalists (staff) Peer (student) LAMs (Learning & Achievement Mentors) Peer Mentors

3. Origins • LAA & LAM schemes introduced to provide support for students’ progression (Stay on Track) and add an additional layer of support ahead of the Academic Framework Review • 15 LAAs started in Oct 13’; 20 LAMs started in Dec 13’ • Together they have supported over 1169 students in 2013/14

4. Learning & Achievement Advisors • Recent graduates • Full time staff • 9am-5pm • Monday to Friday Learning & Achievement Mentors • Current high achieving students • Term time only • Max 5 hours per week

5. Learning Achievement Advisors (LAAs)

6. Learning Achievement Advisors (LAAs) • Recent UEL graduates who help students stay on track with their studies • Help struggling or non engaging students with their studies • Identify & support students using academic referrals/assessment results • Many students self refer and return for support • 1-1 support by appointment or drop in as well as workshops and some in programme support

8. How do they help students? • Provide 1-2-1 study skills support • Build student confidence, goal setting, time management, action planning, organisation, motivation and study skills • Support students through identification of skills needs • Provide support in relation to academic writing, essay planning and research skills • Refer and follow up students for pastoral support services

9. What can’t they help students with? • Proofreading • Indicating what marks an assignment is likely to get • Advice on extenuation or academic misconduct cases • LAAs will not do students work for them, but will provide the tools to become independent learners.

10. LAA Statistics 2013-14 1116 students and 1516 appointments (Oct 13- May 14)

11. ‘63- 64- 70-69-70-73 and quote from my lecturer “This is an exceptionally good introduction. You rephrase the question, you outline in detail how your essay will progress, and you immediately convince me that this is going to be a good piece of work”. I have gone from 40s/50s to 60s and 70. Thank you so much for your help this semester. I would not have got these marks if it was not for you two’ I'm a current second year student and just wanted to feedback on (the LAAs) assistance through this second semester. She has been so much help and has guided myself and other colleagues through coursework and exams, with no hesitance whatsoever.She has been my first point of call since the beginning of the exam season and has never failed to get back to me within a day. I hope that you will appreciate her hard work, as I know I do, and so do many other students.

12. Learning Achievement Mentors (LAMs)

13. Learning Achievement Mentors (LAMs) • Current successful students who help their fellow students achieve their full academic potential • LAMs liaise with Learning and achievement Advisors to identify and refer students who would benefit from a mentor • Offer guidance on the development of Academic and study skills • Draw up agreed action plans with mentees to help progression • Share their experience and knowledge of being a UEL student and offer encouragements and insights • Hold regular meetings with mentees and record the discussion and plans ( Max 3 meetings per students) • Respect confidentiality of the mentees

14. LAM Statistics 2013-14

15. Peer Mentoring at UEL Sarah Bailey UEL Student Peer & LAM Mentoring Coordinator

16. What is Peer Mentoring • A relationship aimed to provide flexible support to a mentee where there is an opportunity to explore options and monitor yours and their progress • A Mentor is an individual who can offer guidance, support and knowledge. • UEL Peer Mentors are 2nd,3rd or Post Grad year students who are already a few steps ahead in their university career so are able to do this • Mentors will meet with their mentee once a week for the first month and then once every 2 weeks

17. Aims of the scheme

18. Benefits to Mentors

19. Benefits to Mentees

20. How the Scheme works • Induction training for both mentors and mentees • Matching of mentor and mentee by course and school • Ongoing support from the Peer Mentoring Coordinator, regular reviews, special events, and further personal development training for mentors/mentees

21. How students apply • Apply via www.uel.ac.uk/lls/peermentoring/ • We email student back within 24 hours and invite them to a mentor/mentee training session. • After the training we match student to their mentor/mentee and they are expected to make contact via email within 7 days – Mentors/Mentees are from the same course or School. • Mentor and mentee meet and start being part of a fantastic experience and scheme!

22. Any Questions?

23. Contact Details K.i.gibson@uel.ac.uk or Sbailey@uel.ac.uk • LAAs: www.uel.ac.uk/lls/laas • LAMs: www.uel.ac.uk/lls/lams/ • Peer Mentoring: www.uel.ac.uk/lls/peermentoring/ peermentoring@uel.ac.uk UEL Peer Mentoring UEL Peer Mentor