smart university

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SMART University

Designing training for a Multi-serviceMulti-model

Academic support center


Academic Supportat University of Minnesota

SMART Learning Commons offers two academic assistance services:

Peer-assisted Learning Tutoring

Based on best practices of: CRLA Certified center Emerging Scholars Program Supplemental Instruction Peer-led Team Learning


Five Layers of Training/Support:

1. Formal training - before classes begin2. Semester course: taught by Dr. David Arendale

“Exploring Facilitated Peer learning Groups”3. Buddy system4. Weekly team meetings5. Bi-weekly training – tutors: on-line and live


A description of Dr. Arendale’s course:

PSTL 3050 Exploring Facilitated Peer Learning Groups Grading basis/credits: S-N only, 1 credit

Prereq: 30 cr

This course explores peer learning groups and the factors that enhance their effectiveness including: facilitating the learning process, integrating learning skill development and content knowledge acquisition, and application of appropriate theories of learning. The course is designed to connect the experience of serving as a facilitator of a peer learning group with a deeper examination of the underlying assumptions, learning theories, active learning strategies, group management protocols, and best practices in education.


The Challenge:To design a training program that addresses:

Multiple models Lack of coordinationMultiple services Limited resourcesMultiple roles Lack of socialization


Our Objective:to design a training scheme that: is scalable is reusable efficiently uses limited resources can be customized


SMART Learning Commons Training Curricula:


Step One:

Identify Multiple Roles• One-on-one tutors

• We refer to tutors as peer learning consultants (PLC)• Both paid and volunteer capacity

• Lead PLCs• PAL facilitators• PAL team leaders• Workshop presenters


Step Two:

Identify Skills and Concepts For each role: What should the employee know, understand and be able to do to be successful in that role?.

Group skills/concepts into modules: The more roles that a module can accommodate, the more efficient the use of resources and the more employee socialization.


Course Description


Step Three:

Assign Competency Designation

Why? To be mindful of the balance of topics when grouping them in a training sessionWe used:

A = AdministrativeP = PedagogicalB = Professional behaviors


Step Four:

Calculate GeneralizabilityBenefits to the learning center (lc):More efficient use of resourcesPromotes social interaction among lc employees

in different rolesMore cross referrals between services, benefitting students and the lcScalable – lc can add more learning assistance

models and services


Step Five:

Plan your own SMART UniversityBenefits to the learning center (lc):More efficient use of resourcesPromotes social interaction among lc employees

in different rolesMore cross referrals between services, benefitting students and the lcScalable – lc can add more learning assistance

models and services


Step Five: (cont)

Plan your own SMART University Models – SI, PAL, PASS, etc.

Services – tutoring, group study Roles – leaders, novice, experienced Describe courses – skills, concepts Assign competencies – admin, pedagogy,

prof. behaviors Generalize – who will take the course?


A workable Excel spreadsheet can be found at: http://smart.umn.edu Click on Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL)

smart university

Documents

team learning

learning process

learning tutoring

peer learning groups3

learning center lc

peer learning consultants

active learning strategies

learning skill development