Peer-Assisted Learning Sessions (PALS) is a free, voluntary program in which specially trained leaders — students who were successful in taking the same course before — support current students toward academic success in small, collaborative learning sessions offered on campus and online.

“PALS goes beyond the traditional approach of targeting at-risk students and shifts the focus to targeting courses with historically difficult content,” says Ashlyne O’Neil, special projects co-ordinator in the Office of Open Learning.

“Students of all backgrounds and ability levels can join these small, engaging sessions that allow them to interact with the material and each other, practicing effective learning strategies while mastering important concepts.

All members of the University community are invited to learn more about PALS at the Office of Open Learning online teaching community of practice gathering on Friday, Oct. 25.

These friendly, informal gatherings are open to faculty, staff, and students interested in ways to enhance teaching and learning with digital technologies.

“UWindsor’s PALS program is unique in providing online Virtual PALS sessions as well as on-campus sessions,” says Nobuko Fujita, one of the organizers of the event. “Students can connect with each other using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra from anywhere with Internet, from multiple types of devices including smartphones.”

Register for the event at https://ctl2.uwindsor.ca/openlearning/workshops/9/#wkshp-117.

For more information, contact organizer Fujita by email at nfujita@uwindsor.ca or phone 519-253-3000, ext. 2105.