University at Buffalo (UB)
Tutoring and Academic Support Services (TASS) offers UB's Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) program, sometimes known as Supplemental Instruction, is a peer-facilitated learning enhancement model designed to impact the way undergraduate students learn difficult content in specific courses.
PAL leaders are connected to a course section to provide students in those courses with a systematic and structured approach to processing the course material assigned by the instructor. During PAL leader sessions, students work together to gain a deeper understanding of course content. The environment is informal, and students are encouraged to discuss course content and share study strategies.
PAL leaders are recommended by the professor, have done well in the course and have undergone extensive PAL program training to plan effective sessions. PAL leaders attend the class to keep up with the course content and model effective student practices and attitudes. During a PAL session, the leader engages the student using interactive learning strategies, which encourage involvement, comprehension and synthesis of subject content.
PAL leaders do:
PAL leaders don't:
PAL leaders are recommended by the professor, have done well in the course and have undergone extensive PAL program training to plan effective sessions. PAL leaders attend the class to keep up with the course content and model effective student practices and attitudes. During a PAL session, the leader engages the student using interactive learning strategies, which encourage involvement, comprehension and synthesis of subject content.
PAL leaders do:
PAL leaders don't:
Participation in PAL sessions will help your students prepare for tests and quizzes, more importantly it will reinforce the material you are discussing in classes in a fun, informal and interactive way.
The PAL program is designed to improve the ways in which students prepare for their courses outside of the classroom. PAL will assign leaders to designated courses/sections. The PAL leader will then schedule and facilitate two one-hour review sessions for the students in those sections at a time outside of class. During these sessions, the leaders will use active learning strategies that encourage involvement, comprehension and synthesis of subject content.
Providing information about the PAL program in your syllabus is a great way to boost participation in PAL sessions. Below is a sample statement about the program for inclusion in your syllabus:
The PAL program is a series of weekly review sessions designed to help students succeed in their academic pursuits. PAL is provided for ALL students who want to improve their understanding of course material and improve their grades.
The sessions offers a chance to meet with classmates to compare notes, discuss important concepts, develop strategies for studying and a chance to test yourself before quizzes and exams. At each session, you will be guided through the materials by your PAL leader, a student who has previously taken the course and done well.
Each week, your PAL leader will conduct two one-hour study sessions. You may attend any session offered by the PAL leader assigned to your course and section. Session times and locations can be found under the PAL section on the home page of the TASS website.
PAL targets historically difficult courses (those with high D, F, W rates). The subject contains content that students consider to be challenging. PAL is designed to support faculty teaching and is assigned to a subject because of what is being taught, not because of the way it is being taught.
PAL is not intended to create additional work for faculty. Faculty can support the PAL leader and program by allowing leaders to make use of extra textbooks, granting time for an occasional in-class announcement, and being supportive of the program by encouraging students to take advantage of PAL. TASS will host a training where faculty, staff and PAL leaders in the program will be asked to attend. This will allow anyone involved with the program to meet and understand expectations. We also encourage you to contact us with any questions, feedback or if you detect PAL leader performance issues. Finally, we will look to you to help us identify and select PAL leaders for your course section(s).
A PAL leader is a student who has demonstrated proficiency in a target subject and undergoes PAL program training. The PAL leader will attend lectures to keep up with the course content being discussed and to model effective student behaviors and attitudes.
Your PAL leader will be contacting you to connect prior to the start of the semester.
Providing information about PAL SI sessions in your syllabus is a great way to boost participation. Below is a sample statement about the program for inclusion in your syllabus:
This course was selected to participate in UB’s Peer Assisted Learning Supplemental Instruction (PAL) Program. PAL Leaders host a series of weekly review sessions designed to help students succeed in their academic pursuits. PAL sessions are provided for ALL students who want to improve their understanding of course material and improve their grades.
The sessions offer a chance to meet with classmates to compare notes, discuss important concepts, develop strategies for studying, and test yourselves before quizzes and exams. At each session, you will be guided through the materials by your PAL Leader, a student who has previously taken the course and done well.
Each week, the PAL Leader will conduct two one-hour study sessions. You may attend any of the sessions that fit into your schedule.