Using a Peer Education Model in Travel Training KRISTEN SALKAS, M.S. Regional Transportation Authority, Chicago, IL Presented at the 2015 Annual Conference of the Association of Travel Instruction Boston, MA

Don’t Reinvent the Wheel

Outline The Peer Education Model Peer Education in Other Fields Peer Education in Travel Training Future Directions

1. The Peer Education Model Using a Peer Education Model in Travel Training Kristen Salkas - RTA Chicago

What is traditional education? Teacher’s role Students’ role Roles – power structure Friere’s capacity building and the banking model of education

What is Traditional education? Traditional education is also known as the banking model, where students try to bank as much information as possible (Freire, 1968) Teachers are transmitters of knowledge and students are receptors of knowledge Emphasizes memorization, following the rules, and facts “Latinos” refer to Latin-American ethnic people living in the United States. (Caminero-Santangelo, 2013). They are a heterogeneous identity group with members belonging to many different races, national origins, and language groups (Caminero-Santangelo, 2013; Organista, 2007). Despite their heterogeneity, Latinos are a community united by a rich panethnic cultural history and shared experiences of living as a minority in the United States (Organista, 2007).

What is peer education?

What is peer education? Peer education involves peers teaching peers different life skills, including travel skills. Peers share similar identity traits with one another, such as age, disability status, race, or gender. Peer educators are laypeople who speak from experiential rather than professional knowledge (WestRamus et al., 2012). “Latinos” refer to Latin-American ethnic people living in the United States. (Caminero-Santangelo, 2013). They are a heterogeneous identity group with members belonging to many different races, national origins, and language groups (Caminero-Santangelo, 2013; Organista, 2007). Despite their heterogeneity, Latinos are a community united by a rich panethnic cultural history and shared experiences of living as a minority in the United States (Organista, 2007).

Peer Education Model PEER LEARNING LAYPERSON ADULT LEARNING THEORY Have shared identity traits Can relate to one another Share similar backgrounds and experiences Not a professional Teaches from experiential knowledge Receives peer education training ADULT LEARNING THEORY PARTICIPATORY Peer educator and trainee teach each other new things Feelings of empowerment Builds self-efficacy Multi-modal teaching for different learning types Role play Not just lecturing or quizzes

Peer learning Peers have shared identity traits Language Race/Culture Disability Age Can relate to one another Share similar backgrounds and experiences

Peer educators are laypersons Not professionals! Teach from experiential knowledge rather than professional knowledge Receive peer education training Developed by professionals Guided by professionals throughout the process

Adult learning theory Multi-modal teaching What does this mean? Appeals to different learning types Visual Auditory Kinesthetic Role play is a common training technique Not just lecturing or quizzes

participatory Peer educator and trainee teach each other new things Dynamic relationship The trainee isn’t the only one who learns Results in feelings of empowerment Builds self-efficacy (Bandera, 1977)

What would this look like in Travel Training??

2. Peer Education in other fields Using a Peer Education Model in Travel Training Kristen Salkas - RTA Chicago

The Origins of Peer Education Borrowed approach from Public Health Shown to be effective in other fields: Balcazar et al., 2005: health promotion for heart disease Stacciarni et al., 2013: mental health Magaña et al., 2014: Latino parents of kids with autism

Magaña Peer Education Program

Magaña Peer Education Program Latino parents of children with autism What’s a peer? Content: Understanding Autism, Advocating for Services, and Parenting Strategies Peer Trainer Training and Professional Support Documentation of interactions Pre- and Post-Test Interviews

Advantages of the Peer Education Model Relatable, personalized content More culturally competent More cost-effective Takes a social model approach Based on sound theoretical frameworks (Lujan et al., 2007). So why not implement it into Travel Training?

Disadvantages of the Peer Education Model Peer Laypeople are NOT professionals Non-standardized training Liability, Confidentiality Interpersonal Difficulties

3. Peer Education in travel training Using a Peer Education Model in Travel Training Kristen Salkas - RTA Chicago

What would this look like in Travel Training??

Who is already using peer education?

Who is already using peer education? Transit Ambassador Programs The “stars” of Travel Training come back to teach others what they’ve learned People with Disabilities and Older Adults themselves Senior Buddy Programs Pairing an older adult who already uses transit with one who needs training Peer matching

Peer Education Model PEER LEARNING LAYPERSON ADULT LEARNING THEORY People with Disabilities and Older Adults teach their peers Can also match on other identity traits Not a professional travel trainer Has experience taking public transit Receives training on features, training techniques, safety, etc. ADULT LEARNING THEORY PARTICIPATORY Trainers gain skills, knowledge, and self-efficacy! Trainers give input to program development Goal: empowerment! Role play scenarios Real-life situations Practical application of transit skills

4. Future directions Using a Peer Education Model in Travel Training Kristen Salkas - RTA Chicago

Reinventing our Wheel

What’s in the toolbox for your Peer Education Travel Training Program?

Peer Education Program Developing a Program Research! What other models are out there that have worked? Participant Feedback 4. 1. Peer Education Program Find your trainers! Who is going to spearhead this program? 2. Develop a curriculum! What professional skills can guide This process? 3.

1. Research Theoretical: Peer Education Model (WestRamus et al., 2012) Adult Learning Theory (WestRamus et al., 2012) Participatory Action Research (Selener, 1997) Practical: What programs are already doing this and how? How will you have to change their strategies for your own program?

2. Find your trainers Traits of a good peer trainer Responsible Leadership Experience Enthusiam Peer Partner with community organizations Where can you find these types of people? Have an evaluation plan How can you ensure your trainers are doing a good job?

3. Develop a Curriculum Teaching Skills Content/Transit Skills Adult Learning Theory Privacy/Confidentiality Problem-solving and emergency Plans Content/Transit Skills Can adapt from your own TT program Make sure content fits the population Delivered in a manner that the peer trainer can understand

4. Feedback From Trainers From Participants From Program Staff How do you make changes to a program in progress? Piloting Document it!!

To Summarize… Peer Education is a teaching method where laypeople teach their peers different skills in a relatable, empowering way. Peer education has been used successfully in other fields for decades. A few programs have already used this approach in travel training. It could be more effective, cost-efficient, and culturally-competent to try this model in our own programs!

Using a Peer Education Model in Travel Training KRISTEN SALKAS, M.S. Regional Transportation Authority, Chicago, IL Presented at the 2015 Annual Conference of the Association of Travel Instruction Boston, MA