Flipping the classroom for a peer assisted learning student leadership programme

Many students are not prepared for the demands of third level education and first year experience programmes are designed to support this transition, develop student engagement and create a sense of belonging. A peer assisted... [ view full abstract ]

Many students are not prepared for the demands of third level education and first year experience programmes are designed to support this transition, develop student engagement and create a sense of belonging. A peer assisted learning leadership programme called PASS was first introduced in GMIT in 2009 following Strategic Innovation Funding from the Higher Education Authority (HEA). PASS involves student leaders engaging with an accredited module, facilitating a one hour timetabled study session with first year student groups and completing an online journal. Annually over 120 student leaders are trained to deliver the PASS programme in GMIT and this is offered across five campuses on 40+ degree programmes, supporting 1600+ first year students. With the growth in student numbers engaging with the accredited student leadership programme, and the impact on resources to run the programme, this required a re-think and a new approach to teaching and engaging the learners. In response to this challenge, an Open Educational Resource (OER) was developed in 2017 on Peer Assisted Learning Leadership Skills available at www.cpdlearnonline.ie . The OER has enabled the delivery of a flipped classroom approach from September 2017. Student leaders are now required to complete the online course prior to PASS simulation training and this can be completed at any time from May-August. It requires 4-5 hours of student engagement. The introduction of the OER has resulted in students coming prepared to PASS simulation training sessions in September and therefore less time is spent on the lecturer addressing PASS content related questions. Instead, the lecturer can support students in better understanding the concepts through practical peer learning application. This presentation will demonstrate the OER and explore the student leader experience of the flipped classroom approach.