Peer Learning Assistants are Queen's students who are recruited each winter, from all faculties and years, to be peer educators with the Learning Strategies Development Program at Queen's, starting the following September.

Why Volunteer with us?

"My confidence as a presenter and as a student is so much better now - plus my marks have gone up now that I am practising what I teach!" - PLA 2008

• You will be trained extensively in many learning strategies (e.g. Time Management, Effective Studying, Exam Preparation, Note-making, Reading and Retention, Focus and Concentration).
• You will learn how to plan and deliver workshops to Queen's students.
• You will learn about and practice group facilitation skills and presentation skills.
• You will meet other fantastic students and enjoy leadership and student development opportunities.
• You feel rewarded in your work with first year students and International students.
• References and ongoing support are provided.

 

PEER LEARNING ASSISTANT PROGRAM DETAILS:

What might you do?

There are 5 distinct areas of Learning Strategies Outreach for PLAs. You may choose to do any or all of the following, depending on your other time commitments.

Your mandate as a PLA is to assist Queen's students to become successful academically, through the following 5 outreach programs:

1. RESIDENCE BASED OUTREACH PROGRAMS (by Don request)

Learning Strategies sessions (e.g. "So Much To Do, So Little Time", "Study Smarter, Not Harder") in Residences with another experienced PLA

2. LEARNING STRATEGIES WORKSHOP OUTREACH (at the Queen's Learning Commons QLC)

Learning Strategies WORKSHOPS at the Queen's Learning Commons (in the Seminar Room)
You co-present workshops with Learning Strategies Development staff

3. COURSE SPECIFIC DEPARTMENT OUTREACH (at the QLC)

Course Specific Outreach Sessions to first year students in large courses, for exam preparation in a team of other PLAs

4. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT OUTREACH (in campus classrooms)

Learning Strategies Workshops for International (ESL) students in a team of other PLAs

5. STUDY SKILLS DROP IN (IN ROOM 143 Stauffer Library)

Provide study tips to students - in teams, 2 evenings a week

Time Commitment:

• 8 hours of training in September, on Sunday before classes start, and the following Sunday
• Approximately 1-2 hours a week from September - March - flexible - according to your availability and your workload.

More Details about being a Peer Learning Assistant:

Our Learning Strategies Outreach program reaches almost 2000 first year students each year. PLAs are the people who do this valuable work. Your office is the Learning Strategies Outreach office, Room 143 Learning Commons, Stauffer Library.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

1. To prepare presentations, meeting with your co-presenter and the Coordinator
2. To present the workshop in a professional manner, being sensitive to the particular needs of your audience.
3. To provide study skills advice on an individual basis to students who attend weekly drop-in sessions and keep a record of the number and nature of visits. You will always work in pairs.
4. To have students complete evaluation forms at the end of presentations, and to return all the evaluation forms to the Coordinator.
5. To return plus delta forms (Activity Records) at the end of each month.
6. To participate in all training sessions throughout the year.
7. To attend all regular meetings (approximately 3 per year)
8. To address any concerns with Coordinator.

Accountability:
Peer Learning Assistants report to the Coordinator of Learning Strategies Development Outreach.

Qualifications:

• Experience and confidence in public speaking preferred
• Good communication skills
• A genuine interest in teaching and learning

Recruitment, Interviews and Training:

• We recruit students from all years and faculties. This process begins in January and ends in March, for positions the following September.
• We need 40 volunteers each year, and normally lose 20 each year to graduations.
• Recruiting is by word of mouth, and by departmental emails.
• Each applicant fills out an on-line application, submits a cover letter and resume in person, and is invited to a group assessment session, facilitated by the co-ordinator and returning students.
• Training takes place in September over 2 sessions, totalling 8 hours. New recruits are paired with returning volunteers for the first semester, as an internship.

1. Presentations will be requested and emailed to the PLA list. You are asked to check your email every day to see which requests fit into your schedule.
2. Preparation (including meeting with your partner PLA) is as important as the presentation itself. The co-ordinator will help you with the preparation of your presentations.
3. Always ask the students to complete evaluations after the presentation. They help us improve our programs.
4. The Learning Strategies office in Stauffer (Room 143) is for your use. Use the resource binders, check out the laminated posters and flip charts. Use the room to meet with your co-presenter to prepare your presentation, and even as a study space when Stauffer is crowded!
5. Attendance at PLA meetings is essential. (3 per year)

Workshops for International Students: These presentations are a favourite PLA activity. Your audience here is very responsive. Students come from all over the world to learn to speak and write English, and they love coming to the presentations, where you can help them have fun while learning about study strategies that work for English as Second Language students.

At the Workshop Program at the Learning Commons, you will have the opportunity to co-teach Learning Strategies workshops with professional Learning Strategists. Topics include Catch Up Keep Up, Exam Prep, Learning Styles, Reading and Note taking, and many more. Check www.queensu.ca/qlc

Summary:

The Peer Learning Assistant Program is a volunteer program promoting learning strategies development across campus, in a variety of ways.It works in partnership with Health, Counselling and Disability Services and the Learning Commons in Stauffer Library.

• Offers learning support through outreach programs to all students.
• Specializes in academic transition issues for first year students in residence.

Peer Learning Assistants work with first year students to ease the academic transition from high school to university. They also provide learning strategies outreach to International Students. They offer interactive workshops and study skills drop-in sessions at the Learning Commons. Content of workshops is both general and specific: e.g. for high-risk first year courses

PLAs are upper year students who are:

• Trained in learning styles and learning strategies
• Trained in facilitation skills and presentation skills
• Recruited across all faculties and years
• Receive regular feedback and support

PLAs model and teach:

• self-directed learning
• critical thinking
• goal setting
• active learning

And their own marks improve!

For more information, please contact:

Elspeth Christie
elspeth.christie@queensu.ca
Room 143
Queen's Learning Commons
Stauffer Library