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PAL Leader - Description of Responsibilities
PAL Program
The Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) Program provides peer group study sessions for any UCI student who is enrolled in one of our supported courses. The primary goal of the PAL Program is to assist students in becoming independent learners. PAL Leaders are fellow students who have previously received a good grade in a supported course (see LARC Homepage, for courses supported in current quarter), and applied to lead PAL sessions supporting that course. PAL Leaders actively involve their students in various evidence-based activities to develop critical thinking skills and facilitate independent learning.
Qualifications
The academic qualifications for PAL Leaders are the following: 1) current
enrollment as a full time undergraduate student at UCI, 2) an overall
grade point average of at least 3.25, and 3) at least a "B" in the
course being tutored. These requirements may be modified upon the
recommendation of the course instructor. Exceptions to the minimum
eligibility qualifications may be granted at the sole discretion of the
University. In addition to academic qualifications, the following
personal characteristics are desirable for Leaders: enthusiasm,
imagination, patience, good communication and leadership skills,
responsibility, and the ability to relate to students who are
culturally diverse. Applicants who are not U.S. Citizens must have
proof of their legal right to work in the United States(Current green
card, F1 or J1 status).
Job Description
PAL Leaders facilitate students' independent learning by actively involving students in the course material. Group discussion, Students sharing their ideas and solutions through work on the chalk/white board, and various questioning strategies are a few of the methods Leaders may use to stimulate active learning and to develop Students self-confidence and independence. Leaders are also expected to continually improve their techniques by trying and adopting methods from the most recent literature on small-group, peer facilitated learning. Leaders have the opportunity to make an important contribution towards the academic success of their fellow students. Both Leader training and the program structure have been designed to support the PAL Leaders in their role.
Hours
The PAL Leader Advisor assigns each Leader three to four groups of 12 to 15 students each. Leaders work an average of six to ten hours per week, not to exceed 20 hours. (Note: Tutors holding other part-time positions on campus must check with the LARC office to ensure that their time does not exceed the 20 hour limit per week for student employees.) In addition, leaders may not meet with students more than 21 hours per group, per quarter.
Pay Structure
PAL Sessions Leaders earn a regular hourly rate for all time spent leading PAL sessions. Check with the LARC office for current pay rate.
Lecture Attendance: Leaders are also required to attend all course lectures and earn the same rate per hour of attendance.
Preparation: To compensate for time spent preparing for PAL
sessions--reading texts, doing lesson plans, or creating materials--
leaders are paid an additional one-quarter hour for each hour of
leading PAL sessions.
Administrative Responsibilities
All PAL leaders are required to keep attendance and submit weekly time sheets.
Training
All new PAL leaders are required to take a four-unit course, University
Studies 175, during their first quarter of working for LARC. Initial training
takes place before the quarter begins. Returning PAL leaders are also offered continual training throughout the quarters that they work.
Application Procedure
- Complete an application on line.
- Obtain a copy of your most recent transcript (an unofficial
transcript will suffice) and bring it to the LARC office. Be sure to
have your full name and student ID written on it.
- Two faculty recommendations are required. More information about the PAL leader recommendations can be found here. These recommendations are to be sent by the faculty member directly to the LARC office as described on the recommendation form.
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