Peer Assisted Study Sessions

The Faculty Zone


Faculty Expectations


For LSS to achieve its highest potential effectiveness, we ask faculty to provide assistance in a few areas, particularly a few minutes at the start of lectures for GSL announcements. At the beginning of the semester, the GSL makes an initial announcement, introducing GSL and describing the availability of GSL sessions. Subsequent weekly announcements remind students of the GSL schedule and encourage participation.

Faculty endorsement of GSL for all students, not just those who struggle, also helps to eliminate the stigma that only those who are failing the course should attend. The combination of high- and low-performing students in GSL provides a collaborative and less
threatening environment, where students learn from each other in a more intimate setting.

Lastly, faculty can support GSL by periodically mentioning the program during lectures. LSS prompts from faculty remind students of its availability and encourage participation in a positive manner. The following are various ways faculty members can support and promote our services:

  1. Make announcements about GSL (classroom, syllabus, Blackboard).
  2. Allow the GS leader to make weekly class announcements and send e-mails.
  3. Post the GSL session schedule on Blackboard.
  4. Make a brief visit to a GSL session and then discuss GSL content during class.

GS leaders should keep faculty involved in the GSL program through weekly or bi-weekly meetings during office hours. The purpose of these visits is to inform faculty of questions students are asking about particular content, point out areas where the students are struggling, discuss the level of class participation, and offer faculty advance review of study aids, such as mock exams.