Innovative program to give students a boost

January 09, 2007

A new support program at the University of New England is to provide an academic helping hand, easing the transition of students into higher education. Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS), targeting courses recognised as "difficult", will be piloted in Semester 1, 2007 at UNE.

"PASS leaders have been appointed for four courses in Semester 1," said PASS adviser Julie Godwin. "These courses, within the Faculties of The Sciences and Economics, Business and Law, are recognised as being historically difficult."

"Pass leaders are seniors who achieved a Distinction or High Distinction in the course in question and have maintained a Credit or higher average across all of their studies," she said.

"Trained in group facilitation techniques, and working collaboratively with the unit lecturer, the PASS leaders will hold weekly sessions for small groups of students," she explained. "The sessions encourage student participation through interactive learning strategies. During these sessions the students will review lecture notes, discuss examples and concepts, and develop their study strategies."

"UNE already boasts a second-to-none learning experience for students, as documented in the 2007 Good Universities Guide," Ms Godwin said. "We have much smaller class and tutorial sizes than most metropolitan universities, and the new PASS program offers another learning arena. PASS sessions provide the opportunity for cooperative and collaborative learning in a supportive, enjoyable learning environment. Students also benefit from the guidance of the PASS leader acting as a positive role model.

"Participation in PASS is voluntary and is open to all students. It is, however, of particular benefit for students who may have limited background knowledge in the subject. Evidence has shown that students who participate in PASS improve their final marks for the unit and are able to transfer successful learning skills to other units.

"The new PASS Program is another example of the outstanding learning opportunities for students at UNE, following the University's success in 2006 with 10 out of 10 Carrick Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning."

Pictured: PASS adviser Julie Godwin with student Fiona Fishpool.

Posted by Jim Scanlan at January 9, 2007 04:21 PM