Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) Groups : College Group Tutoring and Study Review Groups

The “PALgroups Podcast” is focused on college study review groups. PAL is the name for the study review groups used at the University of Minnesota. We drew upon best practices from national models such as Supplemental Instruction, Peer-led Team Learning, and the Emerging Scholars Program. I served on the team that created the PAL model on our campus. I serve as an Associate Professor in the Curriculum and Instruction Department within the College of Education and Human Development.

Some episodes share new things I am learning about postsecondary peer cooperative learning groups from the U.S. and countries around the world. Other episodes feature student study group leaders describing session activities that worked well with the subject matter and the students. Those interviews include what the PAL facilitator is learning personally and professionally about their experience. Initially, the interviews will be with PAL facilitators at the University of Minnesota. Eventually, study group leaders at other colleges will be featured. Send an email to David Arendale, arendale@umn.edu, if you or your students would like to be interviewed for the podcast. I also maintain an annotated bibliography of publications about seven major peer learning models. It now exceeds 1,100 publication. Click this link to download the bibliography, http://z.umn.edu/peerbib Click this link for PAL training materials and other resources, http://z.umn.edu/peerlearning