BEACON PAL

Beacon PAL is a Peer-Assisted Learning program designed to provide collaborative learning groups in conjunction with specific courses.

What does Beacon offer?

• Trained peer learning assistants who work with faculty to provide a collaborative learning study group that encourage participants to interact and help peers learn from each other.
• The goal of Beacon PAL is to assist students in mastering the concepts and skills to successfully complete their course work.

How does Beacon work?

• Faculty identify one or two students who will serve as the Learning Assistants for their course.
• Faculty spend one hour each week working with their learning assistants to develop materials, activities, worksheets, and other learning tools appropriate to help students in the group increase their understanding and skills.
• Learning assistants must have good communication skills and have received an A or B in the course or must be currently doing well in the course.
• Students interested in becoming a learning assistant must complete a one-unit tutor training course, Human Services 373, which focuses on group tutoring techniques.
• Learning assistants work a total of four hours per week: two hours with their learning group in the Learning Resource Center or other designated campus facilities, one hour to meet with faculty for planning, and one hour for preparing their sessions.
• Assistants are paid $7.00 per hour.

How are Beacon groups formed?

• Learning assistants visit the classroom to explain the Beacon program and invite interested students to sign up at this time.
• Students are urged to attend the announced weekly sessions on an on-going basis throughout the semester. Drop-in attendance is not allowed.
• The Beacon groups meet two hours per week in assigned study rooms in the Learning Resource Center or at other designated locations on campus.

Is Beacon worthwhile?

The success rate of the Beacon program over seven semesters:

• Success rate for Beacon participants is 85% while that for non-participants in the same class is 57%.
• Fewer Beacon students drop classes (7%) compared to their non-Beacon counterparts (27%).

Participants have indicated the following positive results:

• Helped them build self-confidence and work more cooperatively with others.
• Improved their thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Understood better how to survive in an academic setting.
• Formed good friendships and gained more enjoyment from learning.