Introducing a PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) Scheme into the School of Health Sciences Clair Zawada Academic Lead Clair.zawada@bcu.ac.uk

Introduction Birmingham City University – located in UK, Midlands, with approximately 24,000 students. Faculty of Health, Education & Life Sciences offers courses in education, social work, nursing, midwifery, allied health, sports, public health and biomedical engineering. Many students within the Faculty have a placement element within their course.

PASS – What is it? ‘Peer Assisted Study Sessions’ PASS utilised in Higher Education since 1970’s International model Designed to improve student success and retention within historically difficult subjects Uses senior students (PASS leaders) to facilitate regular study sessions, aligned with a specific module Establishes supportive environment for students Facilitation, not teaching!

PASS – What have we done? PASS programmes utilised in: Radiotherapy Diagnostic Radiography Medical Ultrasound Paramedic Sciences Faculty wide anatomy & physiology provision Different format to suit individual course needs Used ‘traditional’ PASS model, as well as clinically focussed sessions. So far, all in 1st year modules

Logistics Recruited students specific to each course 1 day training at start of academic year Students were either paid for their time, or gained clinical hours (Paramedic Science) Module coordinator liaised with PASS leaders, and organised sessions. Regular PASS sessions, linked to module aims Placement patterns caused some difficulty Working around timetabling was ‘fun’ Different formats to suit module and module coordinator

Effect on Module Success (Radiotherapy) Correlation = 0.4999 (medium strength correlation)

Student Evaluation (Radiotherapy) “The PASS sessions were very helpful. Best support given” “Found it interesting and enjoyed PASS sessions, they backed up knowledge from lessons & offered advice on books & placement” “The leaders were incredibly helpful and friendly. They gave us tips and advice to enable us to achieve a good grade in the module” “Would have been useful in other modules”

Student Evaluation (Radiotherapy)

Student Evaluation (Radiotherapy)

PASS Leader Evaluation “I really enjoyed interacting with the first year cohort and felt as though our interactions allowed for positive interactions between year groups. Also it benefitted our own revision for our own studies” All Pass Leaders agree / strongly agreed that they felt they had made a positive difference to the experience of other students All Pass Leaders agree / strongly agreed that the workload of being a PASS leader was manageable All Pass Leaders agree / strongly agreed that facilitating PASS sessions was enjoyable

Improvements to be made Arrange opportunity for PASS leaders to get together during academic year PASS session observations Provide PASS leaders with individual session feedback from students Encouraging module coordinators to ‘let go’ Further buy-in from senior management Timetabling!!!!

Moving Forward Increase courses and modules using PASS Create network of PASS leaders Further training for PASS leaders Look at ‘difficult’ modules to highlight areas for PASS potential Administrative support

Thank You Clair.Zawada@bcu.ac.uk