This post is by Richard Daines, an Associate Tutor in HIS and AMA and a member of the AT Network. Find out more about the AT Network and how you can get involved by clicking here. Our AT Network comes off the back of our PhD Students as Associate Tutors research, and is part of the Courage Wellbeing Project. Please sign up to our mailing list here.

This year I have been volunteering on a new scheme to support student learning that’s being co-ordinated by the Learning Enhancement team in Student Services and the HUM Faculty. The project has been to launch a ‘HUM Reading and Writing Café’, a space for undergraduate students to meet, study together, and reflect on their academic reading and writing. The Café has launched this autumn and the big task is now to spread the word to students that it exists and is worthwhile!

The initiative is a form of ‘Peer-Assisted Learning’ (PAL), a type of student-led learning initiative that has grown considerably across Higher Education institutions over the last decade. The basic ethos of PAL is that students can develop their learning an awful lot by interacting with and learning from each other, in a way that complements (but does not replace) existing teaching and course contact hours. A big focus is on tacit knowledge and study techniques built up by peers through experience; issues which students might not think to ask lecturers about directly, might not have reflected upon, or might be reluctant to address for fear of ‘asking a stupid question’. Importantly, sessions are aimed at all students equally, rather than having a remedial philosophy. 

PAL sessions are facilitated by undergraduate student Mentors (currently second and third year HUM students from across different Schools), who are trained and supported by Student Services staff and volunteer Officers (which has been my role in this project). Mentors are trained to appreciate the goals and ethos of PAL, to think about organisation, teamwork, and inclusive interaction styles, but also to recognise potential wellbeing issues and signpost their peers to university support services where needed. Mentors therefore develop useful skills and employability points themselves, with their participation recognised in a ‘PAL Award’ system given by the university. The benefits of PAL are also social and pastoral, since student-led learning environments can foster a more informal atmosphere in which students can come together and meet in a more relaxed, low-pressure, safe space. As such, the venue for the Reading and Writing Café is not a regular teaching space – Bookable Room 2 in Union House – and students are welcome to drop in and out, with drinks and snacks provided to foster that casual Café atmosphere.

PAL can take various forms in practice. It can be subject- and content-focused, with sessions taking the form of something more like a revision session designed to solidify understanding of content already covered in lectures or tutorials. This is how it has been run in other faculties at UEA outside HUM. The Reading and Writing Café has initially been envisaged to be focused more on methodology, study skills, and reflective practice (although as PAL is student-led, the shape it takes will develop based on the Mentors’ own ideas and student demand). Topics and themes that our Mentors have chosen to focus on to begin with include ‘how to read an academic article’, ‘how to find resources in the library’, ‘how to deconstruct an essay question’ and ‘how to plan and write an essay’.

These are early days, but the scheme has a lot of potential to help students develop their learning and have a more rounded and deeper experience of their degrees. But the word needs spreading as widely as possible and the benefits of attending – social and for learning – really emphasised to students. For any of you who are currently teaching or will be in the future, please please please take a few minutes to tell your classes about the scheme and encourage them to get involved, as well as nudging individual students towards it, perhaps as part of feedback. The poster for the event is shared on the AT Network’s Teams group and sums up all the key details, so can be used as a handy reference point to show to students.

The HUM Reading and Writing Café takes place every Wednesday during term time in Union House Bookable Room 2, between 1pm and 3pm. Students are free to drop in and out throughout. Any queries (including those of students interested in getting involved as Mentors themselves) can be directed to pal@uea.ac.uk.