PASS - Peer Assisted Study Sessions

Students learn better together

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PASS was piloted at UWS in Autumn semester 2007 and is continuing in 2008 as a Learning and Teaching Action Project.

PASS is running in the following units in Spring 2008:

• Accounting Information for Managers
  Parramatta, Campbelltown, Blacktown
• Chemistry 2
  Parramatta, Hawkesbury
• Company Accounting (post grad)
  Corporate Accounting (undergrad)
  (pilots) – Parramatta only
• Composition Craft & Theory 2
  Penrith
• Diversity and Difference (Early Childhood Education)
  Penrith, Bankstown
• Digital Musics 2
  Penrith
• Electrical Fundamentals
  Fundamentals of Mechanics
  Penrith
• Introduction to Business Law
  Parramatta
• Maths for Engineers 1
  Maths for Engineers 2
  Penrith
• Principles of Economics
  Parramatta, Blacktown, Campbelltown
• Stats for Business (pilot)
  Parramatta only 

Please note that due to PASS being a pilot program in some units or PASS facilitator availability, it may not be offered on all campuses.

What is PASS?

PASS is a student centred, collaborative learning program. Students who have successfully completed the unit in which PASS is running, are trained as PASS facilitators to conduct study sessions for students currently enrolled in the unit. Students work together in these sessions to address both study strategies and understanding and consolidation of content. PASS runs in units that students have found challenging in the past.

'Tell me and I'll forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I will understand.' Chinese Proverb

This proverb describes the principles that underlie PASS. Through actively working together on course content and study strategies, students find that they are more engaged with the content and that their understanding deepens.

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 900 institutions in the USA and 12 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 in the US, the UK and Australia has demonstrated that students who attend PASS classes can improve both their course grade and their enjoyment of the subject. Additionally, research consistently shows that subjects that run PASS attain lower failure and attrition rates.

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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 improve their academic performance. It is highly recommended for all students. 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.

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.

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When do sessions run?

PASS consists of one-hour, non-compulsory sessions which run weekly throughout the semester. It is open to all students in the subject PASS is running in. See the Timetable below and your unit vUWS site for details on times and venues of sessions.

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How do you 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. If you don’t register in the first couple of weeks but decide during semester that you’d like to attend PASS your unit vUWS site will provide dates, times and venues of PASS sessions. If the sessions are not full you can just turn up. If you have any problems with joining contact the PASS coordinator at pass@uws.edu.au.

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Who are the PASS facilitators?

PASS facilitators are students who have demonstrated an excellent understanding of the subject and who have good communication and interpersonal skills. They are usually recruited through recommendation by their lecturer. PASS facilitators are not tutors and they do not reteach. They do however, guide students through the course material and facilitate students' learning through planned activities and discussion.

Trained PASS supervisors from the Student Learning Unit and Counselling Unit conduct a two day training for facilitators. Throughout the semester the PASS facilitators are supported by the PASS coordinator and the trainers.

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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.

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Why would students join the PASS program?

Studies at universities that run PASS have shown that if 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 also helps students to gain 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.

If you have any further enquiries, please email pass@uws.edu.au.

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