PASS success @ UWS

PASS success at UWS

Studies at universities that run PASS have shown when students attend PASS they are more likely to gain a better grade than if they didn't attend. This particularly applies when students attend PASS regularly during the semester.

PASS helps students to develop learning strategies that can be applied to other subjects throughout their university experience. PASS also offers the opportunity to make friends and to feel more confident with the unit content.

The video below is a montage of UWS PASS facilitators and a PASS attendee speaking about their experiences with PASS. This is a Quality in Learning and Teaching (QILT) project.

PASS results

In 2013 PASS is being offered in at least one unit in every UWS School.
We have put together just a snap shot of some of the results from 2012.

• PASS results 2012 (PDF, 182.73 KB) (opens in a new window)
• PASS results 2012 (DOC, 101 KB) (opens in a new window)
  

PASS achievements

National PASS Leader Awards

Since the implementation of the National PASS Awards, with the exception of 2010, UWS has had a successful candidate in either Outstanding Senior Leader or New Leader Awards. Six students are awarded each year.

2012 Senior PASS Leader award - Srishti Shresta (Social Sciences)
2011 Outstanding Senior Leader - Neha Kullar (Economics)
2011 Outstanding New Leader - Mark O'Toole (Humantities)
2009 Outstanding Senior Leader - James Cowan (Economics)
2009 Shortlisted - Kiyomi Dunphy (Engineering), Dipal Prasad (Accounting)
2008 Outstanding Leader - Husam Al Jabi (Law)

2011 ALTC Citation

PASS Coordinator, Clare Power, received an ALTC Citation for ‘Facilitating enhanced learning experiences for students through visionary leadership of an effective and innovative PASS program at the University of Western Sydney’

2009 VC Excellence Awards

The UWS PASS Coordinators Team was Highly Commended for Excellence in Professional Service in the Vice-Chancellors Excellence Awards

In 2013 the PASS Coordination team, led by Frances Williamson were successful in securing an Office of Learning and Teaching (OLT) seed grant to administer PASSwrite at both the University of Western Sydney (UWS) and University of Technology, Sydney (UTS)

Student Feedback

At UWS, we have a strong PASS culture where students learn better together in a collaborative, informal, relaxed and socially friendly environment. The benefits of PASS are almost endless. PASS is a whole lot of fun, we all get along, we all participate, all smiles when everyone leaves the room and well all tend to leave with a heightened understanding of course content! I know that PASS has helped me greatly and I feel that PASS contributes significantly to students' university experience.
James Cowan, PASS Facilitator in Principles of Economics
Recipient of National PASS Award for Outstanding PASS Leader 2009

Attending  PASS was a great experience, and very helpful.  I would encourage all students to use this valuable learning tool. Texts and Traditions, 2012

The quizzes were especially helpful and the group problem solving was very effective. It also gave me much more confidence when going into the Composition craft and theory tutorials and CCT exam environment. Composition, Craft and Theory, 2012

PASS helped motivate me to study. This motivation comes from the passion that the PASS facilitators have during each session and from discussion with other students. Foundations of Medicine, 2012

Every session was worth attending -  I just wish there were more time options available to allow attendance. Without PASS being available for the subject I could not achieve the grades I have before the final exam. Statistics for Business, 2012

Best investment of my time this semester. The Individual in Society, 2012

Attending PASS encouraged me to complete my readings on a weekly basis. It gave me confidence for the exam and it allowed practice of learning the course content. Psychology: Behavioural Science, 2012

I don't know if I would have done as well in this unit had I not attended PASS. The opportunity to connect and learn with other students and benefit from the facilitator’s knowledge was so valuable. Psychology: Advanced Research Methods, 2012

PASS was worth my time as it was very helpful where even if I knew the content, it was good revision to go over it and learn new techniques to apply to the work. Mathematics for Engineers 1, 2012

PASS allows students to set aside time just for that unit every week for study/ revision and questions which they may not set aside otherwise and overall it improves learning and clarifies any misunderstandings or questions you may have had in the unit. Essential Chemistry, 2012

PASS was great, I cannot recommend it enough. Biochemistry 1, 2012

Attending PASS was a great opportunity to get to learn more about what I did not understand in Lectures and Tutorials. Understanding Good Health, 2012

PASS helps to give a sense of the expectations of the course and of what is to come and you get to learn about the course from peers. Introduction to Teaching and Learning, 2012

PASS  was definitely worth my time. One hour in PASS was more beneficial than one hour of study alone, particularly in regards to exam preparation. Torts Law, 2012

PASS was worthwhile for being able to work in small group situations and go through and talk about certain topics, further developing understanding. Having someone face to face (including the PASS facilitator and the peers I met during PASS) you feel comfortable to approach and ask questions, confirming if I was on the right track. Financial Institutions and Markets, 2012

PASS sessions should be available for every subject...I found attending a study session with past students incredibly helpful. Principles of Economics, Autumn 2010

The group participation in PASS is effective as it is easier to learn in an informal environment from my peers and the PASS facilitator. Introduction to Human Biology, Autumn 2010

One of the big concerns for me as a mature student was confidence. The sessions really helped give me direction and confidence because they were so interactive... I also got a lot of practical tips on making the most of study time. Psychology, Human Behaviour, Autumn 2010

My understanding has improved and my marks have  improved dramatically through these sessions. Biology 1, Autumn 2010

Scale up of the PASS program

Since Autumn session 2011, PASS has had a presence in every UWS school.

*UWS  consolidated to 5 main campuses
  ** UWS consolidated to 9 schools