PASS - Peer Assisted Study Sessions

PASS news

A list of units for Spring 2013 is now available. PASS units are updated regularly, so please monitor the list for up to date information.
An interim Spring timetable is now available. This timetable will grow over the coming days as additional sessions are confirmed. All confirmed PASS sessions will begin the second week of Spring Session.
It is important to check the timetable before you attend sessions, as changes can be made at any time. More details will be available from PASS facilitators and the unit’s vUWS site.

What is PASS?

Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) is a student centred learning program. In PASS you will work with other students to understand the content of your unit/s and develop various study strategies to help you improve your academic performance. Through actively working together with other students, you will find that you are more engaged with the content and that your understanding deepens. You will also get to meet other people in your course. Each PASS group is run by a facilitator who has successfully studied the unit previously.

PASS is free and voluntary.

PASS is based on a program called Supplemental Instruction which was created by Dr Deanna Martin at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, USA in 1973. Since then, faculty and staff from over 1500 institutions in the USA and 29 other countries have been trained to implement this type of program.

In Australia similar programs are usually called PASS or PAL (Peer Assisted Learning). Research has consistently shown that students who attend PASS can improve both their course grade and their enjoyment of the subject. Additionally, research consistently shows that subjects that run PASS tend to attain lower failure and attrition rates.

Read PASS attendees' feedback on their PASS experience

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Who attends PASS?

PASS is open to all students studying in the unit who want to improve their understanding of course material and their academic performance. It is highly recommended for all students whether you are striving for a high distinction or a pass.

Attendance at PASS does not replace tutorials or lectures. Rather, it supplements them through providing the opportunity to review, consolidate and clarify the course content.

Although the PASS facilitator will plan for the session, it is also up to the group to determine the weekly focus. The role of the PASS facilitator is to be responsive to the needs of the group.

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What happens in PASS sessions?

The format of a PASS session is determined by the PASS facilitator and their group
The sessions are structured to ensure that a learning environment is created but they are also informal and flexible and can be fun
The PASS facilitator's role is not to teach or to provide students with the answers, but to enable students to develop the skills to find the answers themselves
In the sessions students may work through problems together, often in small groups, clarify and discuss issues or look at specific tasks
PASS facilitators are expected to prepare a range of appropriate activities for the PASS sessions

When do sessions run?

PASS sessions run for an hour each week throughout the teaching session. Multiple sessions are offered in larger units and students can attend as many sessions as they wish.

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How do I join the PASS program?

PASS facilitators will attend lectures in the first two weeks of semester to promote the program and to advise of their session times. Also your unit vUWS site will provide dates, times and venues of PASS sessions. No registration is necessary, you can just turn up to sessions. If you have any problems with joining contact the PASS coordination team at pass@uws.edu.au or phone (02) 4736 0849.

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