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The Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) program is an academic assistance program that provides support both inside and outside of the classroom. The PAL program is an academic assistance program that is free to students enrolled in select courses and typically merges the success of peer tutoring with the benefits of being a presence in the classroom.
Once a faculty-mentor commits to the PAL program, he/she will recommend or select a student to be a Peer Assisted Leader. In order to be selected as a Peer Assisted Leader, the student must have previously taken and excelled in the identified course (with the same professor as the one serving as his/her faculty-mentor). Final hiring decisions are made per the discretion of Writing and Tutoring Resources.
While the role of a Peer Assisted Leader varies depending on the demands of the PAL course, the traditional Peer Assisted Leader attends the PAL class and holds office hours, thus creating a peer-led, relaxed learning environment for students. By observing lecture and participating in classroom discussions and/or labs, the Peer Assisted Leader is able to develop a rapport with the students, become aware of content areas where the students may be struggling, and take current notes, making it all the more likely that students will attend the Peer Assisted Leader’s office hours.
Office hour tutoring sessions may take on a variety of forms depending on the course. While many Peer Assisted Leaders favor one-on-one tutoring, others also organize and facilitate group review sessions before exams. At moments when no students have shown for office hours, Peer Assisted Leaders spend their time preparing for future tutoring sessions by reviewing class material and/or creating materials that will further help students retain the information they received in lecture.
The faculty-mentor and PAL Coordinator share the responsibilities of training the PALs. In order to learn best tutoring practices, the Peer Assisted Leaders participate in training modules that are organized by Writing and Tutoring Resources. While using the PAL program is completely voluntary, preliminary research has shown that students who seek help from Peer Assisted Leaders during lecture and office hours are more likely to earn higher grades in historically difficult classes.
At this time, we have PALs available in the following courses:
- Accounting 2010
- Biology 1150: General Biology
- Biology 1650: Unity of Life
- Biology 2140: Anatomy & Physiology
- CE 2220: Computer Apps for Civil Engineering
- Chemistry 1020: Introductory Chemistry
- Chemistry 1050: General Chemistry
- Chemistry 1140: Gen Chemistry 1
- Chemistry 1240: Gen Chemistry II
- Chemistry 1450: Chemistry for Engineers
- Chemistry 3540: Organic Chemistry I
- Chemistry 4630: General Biochemistry
- Computer Science 1430: Programming in C++
- Economics 2130: Macroeconomics
- EE 1020: Projects and Tools
- EE 1210: Circuit Modeling I
- EE 2220: Signals & Systems
- GE 1030: Intro to Engineering Projects
- History 1020: World Civilization II
- History 1330: U.S. History 1492 to 1877
- Math 010 and 0015: Beginner and Intermediate Algebra
- Math 1030: Math for Educators I
- Math 1730: Math of Finance
- Math 1830: Elementary Statistics
- Math 2030: Math for Educators II
- Physics 2240: Physics I
- Psychology 1130: General Psychology
Stop by our office or talk to your professors to see if there is a PAL associated with any of the classes that you are taking.
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Continuously hiring tutors for math,engineering, chemistry and physics courses. Check out the full list here! If you are interested, please call 608.342.1615 to make an appointment with the Tutoring Coordinator.
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Writing and Tutoring Resources
Brigham Hall (3rd floor)
1 University Plaza
Platteville, WI 53818
Administrative Office Hours
Monday - Thursday: 8:30a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.