Description
Candidates for this paid position are skillful and resourceful students. They organize learning sessions outside of regularly scheduled classes, supporting the learning of junior peers who are grappling with difficult content in challenging courses. They also assist undergraduate students transitioning to post-secondary education.
Peer Supported Learning (PSL) Leaders may been identified by a professor as potential candidate for this position.
Position Requirements
PSL Leaders facilitate critical thinking and discussion among PSL participants through the use of learning strategy activities. These sessions integrate content and learning strategies.
In addition, PSL Leaders work collaboratively with other PSL Leaders in problem-solving, mastery of learning strategies/study skills, facilitation techniques, and critical thinking skills that can be conveyed in learning sessions.
Minimum time commitment per semester: 75 hours.
Sign-up Directions
PSL Learning courses are 1st or 2nd year courses in the following subject areas:
- Accounting
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physical Education
- Psychology
To view Fall courses with Peer Supported Learning sessions please visit Peer Supported Learning.
To apply for this position, please submit a resume and a cover letter mentioning the course and course section you wish to support. See contact information further below.
All potential Leaders will complete an interview process. PSL Leaders should be approachable, friendly, and model good student behavior/habits.
After training, PSL Leaders will re-attend the course to develop and implement learning sessions for participating students. Sessions focus on the difficult concepts in the course.
To be eligible, student must:
- Have previously taken the applicable course and have received a high grade, minimum B+.
- Be available to attend the applicable class again.
- Be present in class to take notes and identify difficult concepts, then plan study/learning sessions based on these concepts. (TRAINING IS PROVIDED.)
- Be able to commit to facilitating two group study sessions (50 minutes each) per week to any student wanting to attend.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding which students attend the sessions, as all sessions are anonymous for attendees.
- Be self-directed, and have good communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Be willing to meet with the program Coordinator once a week for to debrief the sessions.
- Provide a weekly overview of difficult concepts covered in the learning sessions.
- Attend all training sessions/PSL Leader meetings.
Please contact Shelley-Anne Gajda, Coordinator, Peer Supported Learning, Centre for Experiential Learning for more information. Shelley-Anne.Gajda@viu.ca