Peer-assisted learning (PAL)

Are you interested in finding out how peer support could enhance students’ sense of belonging?

Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) is an excellent way to nurture a closer departmental learning community.

A PAL scheme can be conducted online or in face-to-face settings.

PAL schemes can increase student involvement in their own learning, provide a valuable challenge for upper year students and enrich the department community by encouraging active engagement in learning across boundaries.

What is PAL?

In PAL, trained upper year students (PAL Leaders) facilitate small collaborative study groups of lower-year peers.

Sessions focus on reviewing content from lectures through a series of activities promoting discussion, clarification, analysis and critique. Sessions also include integrated study skills activities to develop learning strategies.

PAL also provides students with an opportunity to meet others within their department and make new friends.

Both PAL Leaders and first-year students have commented on feeling a greater sense of belonging within their department as a result of PAL sessions.

How can the PAL team help?

To support a PAL scheme, we can provide:

  • presentations and information about PAL for staff and student groups.
  • consultations about the logistics of establishing a robust PAL scheme.
  • training for PAL Leaders to lead face-to-face and/or online discussion sessions.
  • initial close support until your PAL scheme is established.
  • support with the evaluation of the PAL scheme.

Find out more

For more information on how to set up your PAL scheme, email: pal-enquiries@york.ac.uk.

If you would like to know more about integrating PAL into your module, contact us to discuss support and the next steps.

Funding might be available to help departments new to PAL.