Peer Assisted Learning Strategy (PALS) is the USQ adaptation of the American system of Supplementary Instruction (SI) from the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC). These programs seek to provide academic assistance, and increase students’ performance and retention. The PALS program was one of the first universities to adapt its peer program for distance students via audiographic sessions and night on campus classes. In 2003, AUQA reviewed USQ and the PALS program received a commendation. It was then placed on the AUQA Good Practice Database. http://www.auqa.edu.au/gp/search/detail.php?gp_id=164. Since then, the program reduced it support to only two courses.

Goals

• To build on new expertise within USQ to re-invigorate Peer assisted Learning Strategy.

• To implement PALS across all USQ campuses, and across all relevant first year courses.

  Task	Timeline
  Disseminate plan to faculties via LTEC and seek approval (cost to faculty is $1400 per course)	February 2008
  Initiate Springfield trial
  Commence development of PALS at Springfield campus	January 2008
  Faculties to nominate at least 2 courses from USQ’s top 20 programs to incorporate PALS for S1/s2	January 2008/May 2008
  Collaboration with LTSU staff to jointly develop and implement an appropriate version of PALS and LTSU to initiate benchmarking across the sector	January/ August 2008
  Selection and interviewing of potential student leaders	February 2008/June 2008
  Training of leaders	February 2008/June 2008
  Promotion of the program to students	March 2008/July 2008
  Running of the program	Semester 1/2, 2008
  Evaluation of the program	July/November, 2008
  Adjustment/further development of program for future semesters, based on evaluation and benchmarking targets