Peer Assisted Learning Program (PAL): A student-centric engagement tool for Foundation students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61841/pn3xhw02Keywords:
peer assisted learning, perr support, student engagement tool,, Foundation studiesAbstract
--The School of Foundation in Science at University of Nottingham Malaysia had observed a trend whereby students’ failure rate in Mathematics modules was 5-15% for every module offered each semester. As such, the Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) program was offered as a pilot program to provide learning support for students who needed to do the re-assessment examination. Prior to the implementation of the PAL program, a briefing and a survey were conducted to gauge students’ level of commitment towards the program. 94 % believed that the PAL program would increase their knowledge of the failed module. Students who had to re-sit the Mathematics modules were then encouraged to participate in the PAL program on a voluntary basis. Participants were assigned to student volunteer Mentors who had scored distinctions in their Maths modules. A minimum of 20 hours mentoring was required to be fulfilled by each of the Mentor-Mentee pair. In summary, the findings support much of the previous literature and case studies related to PAL programs. In addition, both PAL mentors and mentees perceived a number of benefits from the program. The re-assessment examination results also showed that the mentees outperformed their peers who prepared for the examination via self-study.
Downloads
References
1. Ashwin, P. (2003). Peer Support : Relations between the context, process and outcomes for the students who are supported. Instructional Science, 31, 159–173.
2. Baker, C., Gersten, R., Dimino, J.A, & Griffiths, R. (2004). The sustained use of Research-Based Instruction Practice. Remedial and Special Education, 25(1), 5–24.
3. Boud, D., Cohen, R., & Sampson, J. (1999). Peer learning and assessment. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 24 (4), 413–426.
4. Calhoon, M.B., & Fuchs, L.S. (2003). The effects of Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies and Curriculum- Based Measurement on the Mathematics Performance of Secondary Students with Disabilities. Remedial and Special Education, 24(4), 235–245.
5. Capstick, S. (2004). Benefits and Shortcomings of Peer Assisted Learning ( PAL ) in Higher Education : an appraisal by students. This paper is a working copy produced for the Peer Assisted Learning conference, January 2004.
6. Capstick, S., & Fleming, H. (n.d.). Peer Assisted Learning in an Undergraduate Hospitality Course: Second Year Students Supporting First Year Students in Group Learning Conceptual and evidence base of Peer Assisted Learning. 1(1). https://doi.org/10.3794/johlste.11.1
7. Cui, J., Huang, T. K., Cortese, C., & Pepper, M. (2015). Reflections on a bilingual peer assisted learning program. International Journal of Educational Management, 29(3), 284–297. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-12-2013-0175
8. Ford, N., & C. Thackeray. (2014). Evaluation of the Peer Assisted Learning ( PAL ) Scheme at Bournemouth
9. University 2013 / 14. Library and Learning Support Academic Service, 1-30.
10. Green, P. (2011). National HE STEM Programme Project – Peer Assisted Learning: In and beyond the classroom A Literature Review of Peer Assisted Learning ( PAL ).
11. National HE STEM Programme, 1–8.
12. Hammond, J. A., Bithell, C. P., Jones, L., & Bidgood, P. (2010). A first year experience of student- directed peer-assisted learning. Active Learning in Higher Education, 11(3), 201–212. https://doi.org/10.1177/1469787410379683
13. Hodgson, Y., Benson, R., & Brack, C. (2015). Student conceptions of peer-assisted learning. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 39(4), 579–597. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2014.938262
14. Micari, M., Streitwieser, B., & Light, G. (2006). Undergraduates Leading Undergraduates : Peer Facilitation in a Science Workshop Program. Innovative Higher Education, 30(4), 269–288. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-005-8348-y
15. Packham, G., & Miller, C. (2010). Peer-Assisted Student Support : A new approach to learning. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 24(1), 55-65. https://doi.org/10.1080/030987700112318
16. Saunders, D. (1992). Peer Tutoring in Higher Education. Studies in Higher Education, 17(2), 211-218. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079212331382677
17. Saunders, D., & Gibbon, M. (1998). Peer tutoring and peer – assisted student support : five models within a new University. Mentoring and Tutoring, 5(3), 3-13.
https://doi.org/10.1080/0968465980050301
18. Smith, J., May, S., & Burke, L. (2007). Peer Assisted Learning: a case study into the value to student mentors and mentees. 2(2), 80–109.
19. Sudhakar, A., Tyler, J., & Wakefield, J. (2016). Enhancing student experience and performance through peer-assisted learning. Issues in Accounting Education, 31(3), 321–336. https://doi.org/10.2308/iace- 51249
20. Tariq, V. N. (2005). Introduction and evaluation of peer-assisted learning in first-year undergraduate bioscience. Bioscience Education, 6(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.3108/beej.2005.06000004
21. Topping, K. J. (1996). The effectiveness of peer tutoring in further and higher education : A typology and review of the literature Definitions and typology. Higher Education, 32, 321–345.
22. Umapathi, T., & Tsang, T. Y. (2015). Peer-assisted learning and examination results: A glass half-full? Medical Education, 49(2), 234–234. https://doi.org/10.1111/medu.12603
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation .
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
