Collaborator Hurdle Task- PAL PDF

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A task required to pass the subject...

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Module Overview 1. After completing this module you will be able to: - Explain key elements of teamwork, collaboration and Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) - Know how to engage in PAL, either through a formal program or informally within classes - Identify some tools and technologies that you can use to collaborate more effectively with your peers 2. This module has 5 sections to complete 3. It should take you approximately 45 minutes to complete including viewing the content and completing the tasks 4. The hurdle task at the end of this module must be completed for you to pass the Employability Skills section of the Foundation Unit Teamwork and Collaboration Teamwork is where a group of people work together to achieve the same end goal. The role of each team member is to support the other members and share the load. One member is also the team leader and their job is to coordinate the team so that everyone stays on track to achieve the end goal. Collaboration is similar to teamwork, but each team member has a different set of skills and expertise that they contribute to the team to achieve the end goal. What is Peer Assisted Learning? An initiative at Macquarie where more experienced students help their peers establish a collaborative student experience and aid learning and academic transition. The focus is on educational support rather than social events. The PAL approach is used informally such as amongst friends. Participation in PAL: - Provides students with opportunities to network, collaborate and build relationships with other students. - Build self confidence by enabling students to review and question course material in a supportive environment, particularly difficult or challenging concepts - Helps students to develop good study techniques, improve their communication skills and develop better group interaction skills

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Improves academic performance Improves student retention and satisfaction, students who participate in PAL workshops consistently achieve higher results than those who don’t

PAL is not unique to the PAL program, it can be applied in all of your units, especially in lectures and SGTAs where you have the opportunity to interact with fellow students. For example, you can employ PAL in the following ways: - Ask another student to help explain concepts that you don’t understand - Share study tips and good approaches - Help another student by showing them what to do or explaining your understanding of the content or assessment requirements - Talk to other students in your SGTA and listen to how they’ve tackled a tricky assessment problem - Actively participate in your unit’s discussion forum on iLearn by posting a question or providing an answer - Compare marks and feedback on an assessment with another student and discuss differences in how you approached the task - Form a study group with other students in your unit to help keep each other on track with the unit content and assessments 5 Tips for Setting Up an Effective Study Group 1. Choose the right members for your groups A study group will be most effective if it's composed of people who are all committed to achieving good grades and who are all at the same level. An ideal study group should have between three and five members. Aim to meet for between one and three hours per session to maintain focus and productivity. 2. Show up prepared Each member should come prepared. Before attending your group session, you should be familiar with the material and you should know what areas you are having difficulty with. 3. Stay organised and focused This tip may be obvious, but staying organized and focused can be challenging when working with a group. There should be a group leader. In many cases, the person who started the study group and/or invited others to the study group is the leader of that session.

4. Organise a group schedule A study group session will be much more effective if you know ahead of time what you plan to cover in that session. If you decide to meet regularly, use a study guide or your unit iLearn page to define the weekly topics. If you decide to meet when you’re revising for exams, get each member to identify a specific topic that they’d like the group to work through. 5. Choose an appropriate place to meet The University library and MUSE building have lots of good areas for working in groups. Some of these have white boards, large screens and comfy lounges Useful Tools to Help you Collaborate 1. iLearn Discussion Forum 2. Use social media to communicate with group 3. Make use of collaboration tools such as Gmail, Google Docs, Google Calendar, etc. Hurdle Task Describe an example of where you’ve engaged in PAL in your Foundation Unit (about 100 words).  Hint: If you are not currently participating in the formal PAL program, think of an example where you’ve put PAL into action in your lectures or SGTA’s.  ...