Resources for Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) Programs

Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) programs is a broad term for programs that employ a student to facilitate or lead study groups for historically-difficult courses. Most often PAL is used with college-level courses. Some of the major models that have been adopted nationally include: Supplemental Instruction, Peer-led Team Learning, Emerging Scholars Program, Structured Learning Assistance, Accelerated Learning Groups, among others. The following resources present materials that could be adapted for use with nearly any PAL approach. 

Web Links to Resources

• Link to Power Point slides used during the presentation about PAL
• Link to Tinto student retention model
• Link to principles of peer cooperative learning sessions
• Link to annotated bibliography of peer cooperative learning programs
• Link to references to materials mentioned during Power Point presentation
• Link to training manual for PAL leaders developed by David Arendale
• Link to online articles about peer learning programs
• Link to online PowerPoint presentations about peer learning programs
• Link to free online training materials for peer learning programs
• Link to materials available for purchase to train peer learning leaders
• Link to national training institutes for peer learning programs
• Link to "must read" publications about peer learning programs
• Link to journals directly and indirectly related to peer learning programs
• Link to professional associations and organizations related to support and professional development of peer learning programs
• Link to professional standards and certifications related to peer learning programs
• Link to research centers that conduct and publication studies about peer learning programs
• Link to email listserv for administrators supervising peer learning programs

PALgroups Podcast

I am hosting a new audio podcast series available for free subscription through Apple's iTunes store or free downloading through this blog page, http://palgroups.org. It is called the PALgroups Podcast. It features short episodes of about 10 minutes devoted to an interview of students that facilitate and guide study review groups with other college students. This blog page is devoted to sharing new things that I am learning about peer assisted learning (PAL). This podcast is a natural extension of that information by sharing the personal stories of the people who actually provide the service, the PAL facilitators themselves. Each episode features several PAL session activities that worked well with the subject matter and the students. The interview ends with the PAL facilitator reflecting on what they are learning personally and professionally about the experience as PAL facilitator. Initially the interviews will be with PAL facilitators at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Eventually study group leaders at other colleges will be included.

To download this episode directlty to your computer, click on the following web link in the next paragraph below. The audio file will automatically open through the default media player installed on your computer. It may open in QuickTime, RealPlayer, or iTunes. If the file opens through iTunes, it will be stored in the music folder. To have it stored in the podcast file folder, you will need to subscribe to it. It is free. Click on the following link for a free subscription, http://subscribepalgroups.info Assuming that you have iTunes installed on your computer (it's free and available to download at http://itunes.com) all you have to click is two "subscribe" buttons and the audio shows will be automatically downloaded to your computer and wait for you to click on the play button to begin. If you are unsure about this process, ask any student. They can help you That is what I did years ago to learn about this technology. :-)

To download this introductory episode, click on the following link: (S1.E1.) PAL Groups Podcast Introduction.m4a

Please share comments with me about the podcast series. Send email to arendale@umn.edu Take good care and good listening, David Arendale