Students and staff from across Australia came together to share their practice.
Four UTAS Student Learning Mentors attended the inaugural peer learning symposium run by the Association for Academic Language and Learning (AALL) and hosted by Victoria University. Students and staff from across Australia came together to share their practice regarding programs where students mentor and support other students in the development of their language and learning skills. Ella Anderson and Michelle Dicker from Launceston and Madeleine Francis and Lauren Reading from Hobart represented our Drop In program at the forum and appreciated the opportunity to meet students from other universities working in similar roles.
At UTAS, the Student Learning Drop In space provides students with an opportunity to seek academic skill advice from peers and without requiring an appointment. The service is offered on both the Newnham and Sandy Bay campuses, is open for 3-4 hours three days a week, and is in its fourth year of operation. In 2011, the Student Learning Drop In was awarded a UTAS teaching merit certificate for its contribution to student learning, The Drop In space has undergone a number of changes in 2012; with the restructure of the Division of Students and Education enabling the opening up of the Drop In space to all students, both domestic and international. This has seen further growth in the program in 2012 and a planned extension of hours for 2013. The Drop In Coordination staff, Sally Fuglsang and Steve Newham, presented results of their research regarding the integration of the Drop In space at the national symposium.