Digital Capabilities at CCCU

Peer-mentoring

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Peer-to-peer support is an effective way to develop students’ digital capabilities. Students taking part  in peer-mentoring projects reported that it “inspires and reinforces” (Wang, Secker and Gomes, 2016, p. 14) their interest in technology, increased their confidence and helped them to better understand how to use technology for their learning. Project such as the “iChamp” project at the University of Southampton show that students, as digital champions can successfully educate other students in digital literacy.

At CCCU,  peer mentoring is developed by a peer mentoring officer working in the Learning and Teaching Enhancement departement. Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) mentors have recently moved from a paid model to a volunteer model. PALs  provide subject specific facilitated peer assisted study sessions (PASS) to help students understand the programme specific needs and processes. they support students to engage more with the University and wider community whilst gaining those important graduate attribute skills. 

The Digital Capabilities Working Group works in collaboration with the peer mentoring officer to encourage PALs to support their peer developing their digital capabilites. Members of the group will provide information on digital capabilities in training sessions for PALs starting in September 2019 and will offer PALs support and additional training. 

 

 

 

References:

Wang, Y., Secker, J. and Gomes, S. (2016) ‘Student ambassadors for digital literacy (SADL): evaluation & impact report 2015/16’. The London School of Economics and Political Science, Learning Technology and Innovation. Available at: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/67579/ (Accessed: 28 August 2017).