Survive and thrive: A peer mentoring
scheme to enable
students' engagement in their learning during the unprecedented
times of Covid 19.
Cindy Wee & Margi Grey
Unitec, Te Pukenga
Unitec , Te Pukenga, Auckland, New Zealand
PASS: Peer Assisted Study Sessions
PASS in the lectures
PASS in the classroom
PASS leaders supported students who had issues keeping on track or
missing out steps in
website designing for
Computing students
PASS in the
computer lab:
AutoCAD class
PASS leaders go around the class helping
students one-to-one, to
keep up with what the
lecturer is teaching .
Students get help
in the electrical
lab while lecturer
is teaching
Engagement
with students
during tutorials
One-to-one student
engagement
PASS one-to-one
drop-in
PASS on demand
one-to-one
One-to-one hands on
session
PASS in the practical lab (circuit board)
Students were guided
to ensure proper safe
use of the electrical
equipment
Electrical engineering
students in the practical lab
A PASS leader gave step-by- step monitoring to students’
practical sessions to ensure
they achieved accuracy in their
tasks.
PASS in the materials lab
Students were able to work on their soil
compaction test
under the guidance
of a PASS leader
Students engaged with a PASS
leader in their mother tongue
for clarification on
difficult concepts
Students get practical
help from
leaders
Catch-up practical sessions with
support of PASS
leaders
Students from high schools
learning a trade, supported by
PASS leaders
PASS online
Students could engage with
leaders online during the
lockdowns
PASS leaders answered
student
questions during
online lecture
Students have the
opportunity to ask
questions via Chat
during class
One-to-one session in
break-out room
Students given an
opportunity during Zoom class to be able to request lecturer to put them in
break-out rooms to get
individual help from PASS
leaders
Online tutorial session
students meet other
students to learn and
discuss concepts or
problem solving
On demand session for AutoCAD
• Extra sessions for exam preparation
• Students could ask questions
• Opportunity to practise exam questions
• Leader shared exam tips
Lecture topic
revision
Exam revision
Interactive online
tools
Digital
tools
Hybrid PASS
sessions
Feedback from students who participated in PASS
70 77 68
69 68
69 70 70 65
11 5 10
12 9
9 7 8 9
5 4 8
5 9
8 9
9 12
0 20 40 60 80 100
Addressed my need/concern/question Gave me opportunities to ask questions Guided me to solve a problem when I got stuck Helped me keep on track with what the lecturer wanted Increased my motivation to complete my course Improved my understanding of subject content Been an enjoyable learning experience Encouraged me to take responsibility for my own learning Helped prepare me for tests/exams
No of students
A tt e n d in g PASS h as
Overall students' feedback
Strongly Agree 5 Agree 4 Fairly Agree 3 Disagree 2 Strongly Disagree 1
Based on the Zoom PASS sessions which I participated, what I liked most is:
• Answer our question well and clearly
• In depth understanding of all topics, was able to clarify certain concepts that other lecturers struggled to explain.
• Find it very comfortable to ask questions and with clear answers.
• Zeng is very patient and explains things very clearly and slowly
• Zeng can explain a question in a much easier way for us to understand
• Their efforts to encourage students to ask questions and explain each and every thing
• Getting very direct help as not many people attended
• The chance of get a direct response to my doubt and be able to deepened my knowledge of the subject
• Answers the questions in full detail, showing how he derived the formula. And always answering questions I have
• It was recorded after class tutorials continued being delivered
• I liked how the PASS leaders came into zoom breakout rooms to check up on how you were doing and whether you were able to ask them questions.
• Just having someone to ask questions and help.
• Solving my queries in online sessions in zoom
Benefits
Students’ quotes
Based on the Zoom PASS sessions which I participated, what I liked most is:
• Ability to discuss with peers
• I can participate any time of pass sessions.
• Being able to see good quality of others so I could do the same in mine
• How relaxed and easy it is to get further learning
• Working in groups, other students could explain their point of view - how to measure rooms
• Tineke was very knowledgeable and willing to share her knowledge.
• Guide our group to put together a powerful presentation.
• He is very initiative and ready all time when asked for the subject help. He gave us idea different ways to think, he has good though process he is a good leader
• Still feeling connected
• Is the opportunity for me to ask question about the course that I don't understand and stuck on
• Learning skills
• He gave help when I had problems
• She should direct us to questions to work out on paper and then we'd compare answers before moving on to the next. Sometimes Hoi Ting would write the working out to help me understand.
• Very good at teaching
• Time that she has to walk us through issues with topic covered in lectures
Benefits
Students’ quotes
13 11
16 14
16
11 13
9 10
9
1 1 1
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
I have developed my leadership skills, e.g. taking initiative, being well organised, problem solving I have developed /increased my communication
skills, e.g. facilitating, speaking, questioning I have gained a deeper understanding of the
course content
I have learnt to work alongside students from diverse cultures and backgrounds
I am more confident and prepared for my future career pathway after being a PASS leader.
No. of PASS Leaders
Bei n g a P ASS le ade r,
PASS leaders' feedback
Strongly Agree 5 Agree 4 Fairly Agree 3 Disagree 2 Strongly Disagree 1
