Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) Groups

College Calculus I Math with Rhonda

Rhonda is a student at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities that shares some strategies that are successful in college algebra math through her experience as a PAL facilitator. Among her comments concerning competitive learning games in PAL sessions. She carefully uses it in class to energize students before major exams where shes uses a version of Jeoprady with them. Most of the semester she has them work in small groups on work sheets which require teamwork to complete.

To download this episode directly to your computer, click on the following web link in the next paragraph below. The audio file will automatically open through the default media player installed on your computer. It may open in QuickTime, RealPlayer, or iTunes. If the file opens through iTunes, it will be stored in the music folder. To have it stored in the podcast file folder, you will need to subscribe to it. It is free. Click on the following link for a free subscription, http://subscribepalgroups.info Assuming that you have iTunes installed on your computer (it's free and available to download at http://itunes.com) all you have to click is two "subscribe" buttons and the audio shows will be automatically downloaded to your computer and wait for you to click on the play button to begin. If you are unsure about this process, ask any student. They can help you That is what I did years ago to learn about this technology. :-)

To download this episode, click on the following link: (S1.E6.) College Algebra PAL with Rhonda.m4a

Please share comments with me about the podcast series. Send email to arendale@umn.edu

Take good care and good listening,
David Arendale

Posted by David Arendale at 2:50 PM | Permalink

College Calculus I Math with Jered

Jered is a student at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities that shares some strategies that are successful in college Calculus I math through his experience as a PAL facilitator. Among his comments he shares strategies to engage the students through intentional peer cooperative learning activities.

To download this episode directly to your computer, click on the following web link in the next paragraph below. The audio file will automatically open through the default media player installed on your computer. It may open in QuickTime, RealPlayer, or iTunes. If the file opens through iTunes, it will be stored in the music folder. To have it stored in the podcast file folder, you will need to subscribe to it. It is free. Click on the following link for a free subscription, http://subscribepalgroups.info Assuming that you have iTunes installed on your computer (it's free and available to download at http://itunes.com) all you have to click is two "subscribe" buttons and the audio shows will be automatically downloaded to your computer and wait for you to click on the play button to begin. If you are unsure about this process, ask any student. They can help you That is what I did years ago to learn about this technology. :-)

To download this episode, click on the following link: (S1.E5.) Precalculus Math PAL with Jered.m4a

Please share comments with me about the podcast series. Send email to arendale@umn.edu

Take good care and good listening,
David Arendale

Posted by David Arendale at 2:13 PM | Permalink

College Algebra PAL with Ahn

Ahn is a student at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities that shares some strategies that are successful in college algebra through her experience as a PAL facilitator. Among her comments she shares strategies to engage the students through intentional peer cooperative learning activities such as jigsaw and the need to have students move around the room to different math work stations to energize them, especially with PAL sessions early in the morning.

To download this episode directly to your computer, click on the following web link in the next paragraph below. The audio file will automatically open through the default media player installed on your computer. It may open in QuickTime, RealPlayer, or iTunes. If the file opens through iTunes, it will be stored in the music folder. To have it stored in the podcast file folder, you will need to subscribe to it. It is free. Click on the following link for a free subscription, http://subscribepalgroups.info Assuming that you have iTunes installed on your computer (it's free and available to download at http://itunes.com) all you have to click is two "subscribe" buttons and the audio shows will be automatically downloaded to your computer and wait for you to click on the play button to begin. If you are unsure about this process, ask any student. They can help you That is what I did years ago to learn about this technology. :-)

To download this episode, click on the following link: (S1.E4.) College Algebra PAL with Ahn.m4a

Please share comments with me about the podcast series. Send email to arendale@umn.edu

Take good care and good listening,
David Arendale

Posted by David Arendale at 4:00 PM | Permalink

College Algebra PAL.

Nikela is a student at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities that shares some strategies that are successful in college algebra through her experience as a PAL facilitator. Among her comments she shares on her caution with using gaming activities in her math sessions; activities that involve students with math board work and leading a discussion with the class; reasons for selecting small groups of three students; and reasons for asking students to provide alternative solutions for solving math problems.

o download this episode directly to your computer, click on the following web link in the next paragraph below. The audio file will automatically open through the default media player installed on your computer. It may open in QuickTime, RealPlayer, or iTunes. If the file opens through iTunes, it will be stored in the music folder. To have it stored in the podcast file folder, you will need to subscribe to it. It is free. Click on the following link for a free subscription, http://subscribepalgroups.info Assuming that you have iTunes installed on your computer (it's free and available to download at http://itunes.com) all you have to click is two "subscribe" buttons and the audio shows will be automatically downloaded to your computer and wait for you to click on the play button to begin. If you are unsure about this process, ask any student. They can help you That is what I did years ago to learn about this technology. :-)

To download this episode, click on the following link: (S1.E3.) College Algebra PAL with Nikela.m4a

Please share comments with me about the podcast series. Send email to arendale@umn.edu

Take good care and good listening,
David Arendale

Posted by David Arendale at 2:50 PM | Permalink

PAL in General Chemistry.

Melissa is a student at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities that shares how she serves as a PAL facilitator in an introductory general chemistry course. She shares several strategies for the sessions including exam bingo and involving students with creating the problem worksheets and helping others students to solve them.

To download this episode directty to your computer, click on the following web link in the next paragraph below. The audio file will automatically open through the default media player installed on your computer. It may open in QuickTime, RealPlayer, or iTunes. If the file opens through iTunes, it will be stored in the music folder. To have it stored in the podcast file folder, you will need to subscribe to it. It is free. Click on the following link for a free subscription, http://subscribepalgroups.info Assuming that you have iTunes installed on your computer (it's free and available to download at http://itunes.com) all you have to click is two "subscribe" buttons and the audio shows will be automatically downloaded to your computer and wait for you to click on the play button to begin. If you are unsure about this process, ask any student. They can help you That is what I did years ago to learn about this technology. :-)

To download this episode, click on the following link: (S1.E2.) General Chemistry PAL.m4a

Please share comments with me about the podcast series. Send email to arendale@umn.edu

Take good care and good listening,
David Arendale

Posted by David Arendale at 2:25 PM | Permalink

PALgroups Podcast Introduction

Greetings,
I am hosting a new audio podcast series available for free subscription through Apple's iTunes store or free downloading through this blog page. It is called the PALgroups Podcast. It features short episodes of about 10 minutes devoted to an interview of students that facilitate and guide study review groups with other college students. This blog page is devoted to sharing new things that I am learning about peer assisted learning (PAL). This podcast is a natural extension of that information by sharing the personal stories of the people who actually provide the service, the PAL facilitators themselves. Each episode features several PAL session activities that worked well with the subject matter and the students. The interview ends with the PAL facilitator reflecting on what they are learning personally and professionally about the experience as PAL facilitator. Initially the interviews will be with PAL facilitators at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Eventually study group leaders at other colleges will be included.

To download this episode directlty to your computer, click on the following web link in the next paragraph below. The audio file will automatically open through the default media player installed on your computer. It may open in QuickTime, RealPlayer, or iTunes. If the file opens through iTunes, it will be stored in the music folder. To have it stored in the podcast file folder, you will need to subscribe to it. It is free. Click on the following link for a free subscription, http://subscribepalgroups.info Assuming that you have iTunes installed on your computer (it's free and available to download at http://itunes.com) all you have to click is two "subscribe" buttons and the audio shows will be automatically downloaded to your computer and wait for you to click on the play button to begin. If you are unsure about this process, ask any student. They can help you That is what I did years ago to learn about this technology. :-)

To download this introductory episode, click on the following link: (S1.E1.) PAL Groups Podcast Introduction.m4a

Please share comments with me about the podcast series. Send email to arendale@umn.edu

Take good care and good listening,
David Arendale

Posted by David Arendale at 1:11 AM | Permalink

The PALgroups Podcast is a new resource available for the education community. Using a new instructional technology, audio episodes are provided through this blog page as well as available for free subscription through Apple's iTunes.

Two ways to listen to the episodes which last about 5 to 10 minutes.

#1. Click on the web link within the blog posting that describes the podcast episode. This will download the audio file to your computer. Whatever serves as the default media player on your computer (example: iTunes, RealPlayer, Windows Media Player, QuickTIme Player) will automatically open up the file and begin to play it. If iTunes opens up the file, it will be saved to your music library on the computer that iTunes manages for you.

#2. Subscribe to the podcast series through iTunes. Assuming that you have the free iTunes software installed on your computer, open up iTunes and select the Apple Store from the main web links. In the upper right hand corner in the search window type "Arendale". Up will pop several podcasts that I produce. Select "Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) Groups" and click "subscribe". It will ask you confirm again by requiring you to click "subscribe" again. The episodes will automatically download to a folder within the podcast section of your library. If some of this is difficult, ask any student. They can guide you (it is what I did to get started).

Take care,
David Arendale, Podcast Host and Interviewer

Posted by David Arendale at 1:03 AM | Permalink

Following is a link to a presentation that I delivered at the 2009 Noel-Levitz Conference on Student Recruitment and Retention. The presentation focused on a decision-making system for selecting the most appropriate peer learning program for a campus. After sharing a system for analyzing not only the proposed academic intervention, but also the capacity of the campus to support the innovation, an overview is provided for seveal of the major national models in peer assisted learning (PAL): Emerging Scholars Program, Peer-led Team Learning, Structured Learning Assistance, Supplemental Instruction, and Video-based Supplemental Instruction. Click on the following link to download the PDF handout of the presentation.
NL 2009 PAL Programs, Choosing the Most Effective Model.pdf

Links to the right hand side of this blog also provide links to other helpful resources regarding PAL programs. The annotated bibliography of PAL programs provides a summary of all the publications related to the major PAL programs. An updated version of the annotated bibliography will be posted by the end of August 2009. Check back then.

Posted by David Arendale at 3:05 PM | Permalink

Greetings. I recently made a presentation at the CASP Conference in Corpus Christi, TX. The topic was lessons that I have learned from student-led peer learnng groups. These are groups that meet to provide academic support for students in classes that are historically-difficult. I had interviewed a number of students and the student paraprofessionals that had led those small study groups. I found that their comments provide valuable information that informed me as a faculty member, provided insights to how the groups benefited the participating students, and also the benefits of the experience of the student paraprofessionals who were hired to facilitate these groups. I attached copies of the slides used during the presentaton. Click on the following link to download the handout. Download file

Posted by David Arendale at 5:03 PM | Permalink

On Friday, October 10th I made a presentation at the 2nd Annual Tutoring Summit Conference that was sponsored by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU). They asked me to conduct a survey of tutoring programs in the state. Fourteen tutoring programs responded to the survey. Please click on the following web link to read the data and the findings from the survey.
Download file

Take care,
David Arendale

Posted by David Arendale at 12:50 AM | Permalink

Today I am making a conference presentation on "Research-based Models of Peer Assisted Learning". It features background, overview, and recommendations regarding six of the major PAL programs: Accelerated Learning Groups, Emerging Scholars Programs, Peer-led Team Learning, Structured Learning Assistance, Supplemental Instruction, and Video-based Supplemental Instruction. Click on the following link for a copy of the slides used during the workshop. Download file

Posted by David Arendale at 1:25 PM | Permalink

Greetings,
Another posting from College Station, TX. I shared the following presentation, PAL Principles and Impact on PAL Facilitators at the annual Academic Peer Educator CDonference hosted by Texas A & M. Click on the following link to download the presentation slides. Download file

Posted by David Arendale at 6:58 PM | Permalink

Greetings,
I am in College Station, TX today sharing at the annual Academic Peer Educator Conference hosted by Texas A & M University for its staff. I shared the following presentation on using technology to engage and enrich learning for students. You can download the presentation slides by clicking on the following link. Download file

I also have much more information about podcasting at another web site. Click on this link for narrated PowerPoint presentations, handouts, and web links to other resources. Link to Resources. http://podcasting.arendale.org

Posted by David Arendale at 6:49 PM | Permalink

Greegings. As promised last week, a wide variety of information links are now active along the upper right hand corner of this page. These web links all are related to peer assisted learnikng in some way. The names of them are:

1. Arendale Web Page. Visiting my personal web page also provides access to a variety of publications and resources related to peer assisted learning. Click on the menu on the left side of that web page to access resources for peer learning, developmental education, student retention, among others.
2. PAL Bibliography. This is an annotated bibliography of every known publication related to the major peer assisted learning programs in postsecondary education.
3. Facilitator Toolkit. This is one of the training materials used here at the University of Minnesota for training our peer learning facilitators.
4. Online Publications. This is a list of more than 100 publications available on-line about peer learning. All of these are included in the annotated bibliography mentioned earlier in this list.
5. Online PP Shows. These Power Point presentations are available online and relate in some way to peer assisted learning programs at other colleges across the U.S.
6. Free Online Materials. This is a collection of training materials and video clips developed by other postsecondary institutions in the U.S. for their peer learning programs.
7. Purchase Materials. Several colleges and organizations sell training materials for peer learning programs.
8. PAL Workshops. This page describers several fee-based training workshops for peer learning that are conducted by national programs that have developed model approaches.
9. Must Read Books. This collection of books are favorites of mine that relate to peer learning.
10. Journals. While most of these journals do not focus exclusively upon peer learning, they often publish artciles related to the field.
11. Organizations. Some of these organizations focus on peer learning. Others host special interest groups and feature conference presentations on the topic.
12. Certifications. There are a wide variety of organizations that are offering certification programs for peer learnign programs.
13. Research Centers. This page features several national research centers that conduct research and publish materials related to peer learning among other topics.
14. Facilitator Listserv. The listserv was developed exclusively for use by student paraprofessionals who work in peer learning programs.
15. Administrator Listserv. SInet is the official email listserv supporting Supplemental Instruction programs. However, the discussion is diverse enough that college administrators that manage similar programs would find the conversations useful.

In the near future an additional feature of this blog page will be posting interviews with student paraprofessionals who are serving as facilitators of peer assisted learnign programs. Watch for upcoming announcements. For now, enjoy the information links at the right hand side of the page.

Take care,
David Arendale

Posted by David Arendale at 8:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Greetings. It was good to meet many of you at the MnSCU Tutoring Summit meeting at North Hennepin Community College the other day. This web site will provide links to a variety of resources that you might find helpful if you are managing peer assisted learning programs. I formerly directed the National Center for Supplemental Instruction at the Unviersity of Misouri-Kansas City before I accepted a teaching position at the Unviersity of Minnesota. Within the next week or so I will be adding a variety of resources that you may find useful: (1) more than 100 on-line articles or research studies about peer learning programs such as SI; (2) training manuals for peer learning programs at other insitutions; © and lots of other resources related to this area.

Watch for new web links to appear in the upper right-hand column in the next week. Clicking on these web links will take you to some helpful resources for this field. I will highlight some of them over the next month or so through blog postings to this web site.

Take care,
David Arendale

Posted by David Arendale at 4:11 AM | Permalink