Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

Working outside the box: breaking down barriers with a Learning Development Peer Mentor scheme

Thomas, S. and Mansfield, S. (2022) Working outside the box: breaking down barriers with a Learning Development Peer Mentor scheme. Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. 25 1759-667X.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: Peer learning is simply described as students from similar social groupings helping each other to learn (Topping, 2007). A recent document by the European Centre for Supplemental Instruction-Peer Assisted Study Sessions (SI PASS) (2019) highlighted that 32 universities in the UK provide a system of peer support, and these vary both in how they operate and their nomenclature: schemes could be framed as peer assisted learning, peer assisted study sessions or peer mentoring. Our aim was to create a supplementary, peer-led service which provides students with engaging, timely guidance and develops effective learning relationships based on parity and equality (Collier, 2015). We decided to use a similar approach to the Student Learning Assistant model of Price et al. (2019), where the Learning Development (LD) Mentors offer support to students from any disciplinary subject. Eight students were recruited and funded to offer peer support to all students within the institution. All are current second-and third-year students who work four hours per week supplementing the LD provision via a daily drop-in as well as leading ongoing projects and tasks, including resource development and evaluation. A key driver is reaching students who do not currently use the LD provision by developing resources in physical spaces and digital platforms previously unused in our work (e.g.,in student halls and using platforms like Discord and TikTok). We will offer a perspective on the benefits and issues encountered when working with LD mentors, evaluate how the role was co-created with the students and assess the impact it has had on wider student engagement.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Peer mentoring, learning development, student voice
Creators: Thomas, Sam and Mansfield, Sheryl
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: ?? LLSLD ??
Date: 28 October 2022
Date Type: Publication
Journal or Publication Title: Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education
Volume: 25
Number of Pages: 4
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.vi25.971
ISSN: 1759-667X
Status: Published / Disseminated
Refereed: Yes
Related URLs:
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/17801

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