1. The Evolution of Peer Assisted Learning at Penn State, University Park

2. Started about ten years ago  Generous benefactor gave funds to help at risk students in the Biology Core Courses (4 intro courses all majors take)  Hired tutors from students who had done well (B+ or better) in the course the previous year Tutor training minimal Tutor training minimal  Students solicited to join after first exam Those earning ~70% or less Those earning ~70% or less  Met weekly in small groups (~4 students) – question/answer format  Funds eventually ran out but continued by giving tutors course credit  No formal assessment but conclusion was that this approach didn’t work for the truly struggling students

3. Biology 003  Peer Learning in Biology (1 credit) Group and learning skills to facilitate the understanding of complex biological processes. Group and learning skills to facilitate the understanding of complex biological processes. Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in biology or life science course and permission of program. Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in biology or life science course and permission of program.  First offered in Spring 2006 All four core courses All four core courses  Students solicited at the beginning of the semester email to those enrolled in the course email to those enrolled in the course  Allowed any student to enroll Students could enroll later in the semester if they felt they needed to Students could enroll later in the semester if they felt they needed to  No formal assessment Increased tutor training and having stronger students in the groups seemed to help Increased tutor training and having stronger students in the groups seemed to help

4. Biology 251  Peer Leadership in Biology (1 credit) Leadership training in guiding others to learn, communicate, and apply biological principles. Leadership training in guiding others to learn, communicate, and apply biological principles. Prerequisite: 8 credits in biology or life science courses and permission of program Prerequisite: 8 credits in biology or life science courses and permission of program  Course for tutor training Regular meetings but variable content Regular meetings but variable content  Could be more effective Needed a dedicated instructor Needed a dedicated instructor

5. Recent Improvements (2009 – present)  Students register for the course before the semester begins Can add later if there is space available Can add later if there is space available Classroom appears on their class schedule Classroom appears on their class schedule  Two instructors took charge of Bio 003 and Bio 251  More structured tutor training  Clearer expectations for students Grade (Sat/Un) based upon performance, not just attendance Grade (Sat/Un) based upon performance, not just attendance

6. Biology 110 – Fall 2010  First core course – Basic Concepts and Biodiversity 1066 students (mostly 1 st – 4 th semester) 1066 students (mostly 1 st – 4 th semester) 316 enrolled in Bio 003 – ~10 students per section – 30% 316 enrolled in Bio 003 – ~10 students per section – 30%  Preparation/expectations survey at beginning  Quizzes/discussions on note taking and effective learning techniques  Course packets (worksheets) to guide discussions Definitions, summarize lecture, thought questions Definitions, summarize lecture, thought questions  33 peer leaders in Bio 251 Weekly peer leader training Weekly peer leader training  Course evaluations other info still being analyzed

7. Bio 003 Survey Results

8. Bio 251 Survey Results – end of semester

9. Changes for Spring 2011  Bio 220W – Populations and Communities ~400 students in course ~400 students in course ~19 students in Bio 003 (6 peer leaders) – 5% ~19 students in Bio 003 (6 peer leaders) – 5% Can add as semester progresses Can add as semester progresses  Bio 240W – Animal and Plant Physio/Dev ~625 students in course ~625 students in course ~48 students in Bio 003 (9 peer leaders) – 8% ~48 students in Bio 003 (9 peer leaders) – 8%  Each week, a different student is responsible for summarizing the lectures from the previous week  All students must write multiple choice questions for the same material  Preliminary results – more interactive, stronger students are not dominating the discussion each week

10. TA Training Track  Peer Lead – Sophomore/Junior year  Assistant Undergraduate TA – Junior/Senior year  Undergraduate TA – Senior year