I coordinate and supervise the Peer Assisted Learning Sessions (PALS) program, which is rooted in the Supplemental Instruction program developed in the 1970s by Deanna Martin at the University of Missouri Kansas City. PALS supports students in large-enrolment ‘gateway courses’ by empowering them to take ownership over their learning, and helping them develop their learning strategies. Research indicates students who attend PALS are less likely to withdraw from their courses, report greater confidence, and earn higher grades on average. Preliminary data suggests these effects are even larger for international students, demonstrating promise for largely international programs.
