Skip Navigation

Bournemouth University Logo

Academic Support - Peer Assisted Learning
Content only version

PAL: Guiding Principles

The operation of the Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme at Bournemouth University is based upon the following 20 principles and practices:

  1. It supports student learning.
  2. It fosters cross-year support for students.
  3. It is facilitated by more experienced students, usually from the year above, who provide a point of contact for new or less experienced students.
  4. It enhances students' experience of university life.
  5. It is participative: students work in small groups, engaging in discussions and a variety of interactive learning activities.
  6. It is timetabled.
  7. It encourages collaborative learning rather than competitive learning.
  8. It works on both what students learn and how they learn.
  9. It creates a safe environment where students are encouraged to ask questions and receive guidance from other students about the course and its content.
  10. It uses the language and terms specific to the subject discipline.
  11. It helps students gain insight into the requirements of their course and their lecturers' expectations.
  12. It involves active rather than passive learning.
  13. It does not create dependency
  14. It encourages independent learning.
  15. It helps students to develop a more positive attitude towards learning, keeping up with their studies and completing their course.
  16. It gives students opportunities to improve their academic performance.
  17. What is discussed is confidential and remains within the PAL Group.
  18. It benefits all students regardless of their current academic ability.
  19. It gives students a place and a time to practise the subject, learn from mistakes and build up confidence.
  20. It gives PAL Leaders opportunities to revisit their prior learning.

These principles have evolved over 9 years from the original "21 Principles of S.I." which were produced by an earlier HEFCE-funded project "Effective teaching and assessment programme", which contained contributions from a consortium of universities led by Jenni Wallace, Kingston University between 1989-1992.

Disclaimer: Neither PAL staff nor PAL Leaders can take responsibility for students' marks or grades. Students' success on their course depends upon their own efforts. Additionally, it remains the responsibility of students to get the most from their PAL sessions by attending regularly, coming along prepared with appropriate resources, and through active participation in, and contributions to, the small group discussions which take place during their PAL sessions.

Any comments or questions contact pal@bournemouth.ac.uk

Campaign Logo
myBU link