Study Help PALS online training module
| Site: | learnonline |
| Course: | Study Help |
| Book: | Study Help PALS online training module |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Saturday, 27 April 2024, 12:25 PM |
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Welcome to the Study Help PALS online training module This module is the first part of the required training for the Study Help PALS program. It should take around 2 hours to complete, including Consent Matters. The module will help you become familiar with the Study Help resource site so that you can connect students with these resources. Completing this online training module will prepare you for the second part of the training which will be held face-to-face (regional volunteers will receive online training). Be sure to bring your answers to the activity to the face-to-face session, as we will be discussing them. To navigate you can click on each section on the left or use the arrows to move forward and backwards at the bottom of each page. You can enter and exit the sections as many times as you like, and come back to specific sections if you need to refer to them later. If you have any questions, please email studyhelp@unisa.edu.au. |
Study Help PALS are UniSA students who understand the challenges of study. They connect students to Study Help resources on referencing, academic assignment writing, study skills and more to help them achieve their best at uni. Study Help PALS work with Leaders and the Learning Adviser team. Becoming a Study Help PALS volunteer is a great way to develop professional communication skills and personal qualities.
There are several peer programs at UniSA, for example Peer Assisted Study Support (PASS) and UniMentor, offering a range of roles for students. See the Academic Learning Support and UniMentor pages to understand more about the differences in the aims and benefits of some of these programs.
Why be a Study Help PALS volunteer?
Rewards
- The Study Help PALS program counts towards UniSA+. To find out about what this involves, check out the link here. For more information, email unisaplus@unisa.edu.au or studentleadership@unisa.edu.au.
- A Certificate of Participation for consistent involvement.
- Study Help PALS who have completed 20+ hours in the program are eligible to apply for paid casual positions as Study Help PALS Leaders as required.
As a Study Help PALS volunteer, you will also develop valuable employability skills.
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Activity Look at the list of selection criteria below. Which three do you think employers consider the most important when recruiting graduates?
Answer: Click here (opens in new window or tab) |
In addition to working on your interpersonal and communication skills, as a Study Help PALS volunteer you will have an opportunity to:
- develop time management and organisational skills
- gain experience in creating social media content and using related technologies
- devise and deliver promotional events
- refine ideas in response to feedback
- acquire new study skills and knowledge
- contribute to the UniSA community and work in a student-centred team
The Study Help PALS program aims to:
- connect students to Study Help resources through social media and on-campus promotions
- help students to be confident in finding out how to do things at uni for themselves
- use peer support to develop effective ways of learning & approaching assignments
- share knowledge developed through the practical experience of being a UniSA student
- develop individual skills through being part of the Study Help PALS community
- increase awareness of services that support learning
- provide opportunities for students to meet each other
In carrying out their role,
Study Help PALS are expected to:
collaborate with their Leaders and team to ensure the program as a whole is successfully delivered
attend team meetings
consider their own study commitments when agreeing to take on tasks
complete agreed tasks on time
keep their team informed of any developments or issues
engage with students in a friendly and positive manner at on-campus events and online
show how to find Study Help resources via social media posts and in-person events
Study Help PALS are not expected to:
give detailed demonstrations of using online resources other than Study Help
act as a student advocate
deal with distressed or aggressive students
Study Help PALS must not:
check grammar, proofread, or comment on assignment content
pass on answers to assignments or supply possible assignment content
share images or information relating to interactions with students (apart from reporting concerns about a student’s welfare to a Learning Adviser)
engage in Facebook or other social media communication with students they’ve assisted
get involved in discussions about personal issues
As a Study Help PALS volunteer your responsibilities will be to:
- volunteer for up to 20 hours over the study period
- follow the guidance from Leaders concerning your role and agreed tasks
- carry out your role in a manner which does not present a risk to yourself, others, or the environment. See the UniSA Code of Conduct for Students, information about Wellbeing at UniSA, and advice concerning Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment.
- follow any reasonable directions given by UniSA staff
- comply with any procedure relating to OHSW
- when at on-campus events, contact Security if concerned about a safety or first aid issue
- report all incidents, defects, and hazards by emailing Alison and Keith at studyhelp@unisa.edu.au, so they can arrange for appropriate corrective action to be taken
Our responsibilities will be to:
- Treat you with respect and recognise you as a valued member of the student support team
- Discuss the allocation of tasks and completion timeframes with you
- Give you required information in advance
- Provide you with guidance and supervision both directly and through your Leaders
- Schedule time for receiving your feedback
- Organise opportunities to get together informally
- Keep you informed about any changes to volunteering conditions
- Notify you of any matters concerning OHSW
- Provide you with feedback on your role if requested
Getting to know the Study Help site
Try to complete the following activities as best you can and bring your answers to the face-to-face training as they will ensure that you are familiar with the Study Help site so you can promote the resources.
Activity
Get to know the structure of the Study Help site and where you can find resources to help students. Then explore www.unisa.edu.au/studyhelp to help you prepare to be a Study Help PALS volunteer.
Where to find Study Help resources
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Activity Familiarise yourself with the Study Help site: www.unisa.edu.au/studyhelp
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Activity Imagine you’re promoting the Study Help website at Brekky Bar. Which resources would you recommend to students who ask for your advice? Note: there may be more than one resource you could suggest! Write your answers in the downloadable version of this activity so you are ready to participate in discussion during the face-to-face session. A student wants to know….
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Promoting Study Help resources
The following activities will help you understand the ways you'll be promoting Study Help resources to other students.
Activity
Consider the draft social media post below.
The aim is to advertise an event where Study Help PALS promote Study Help resources at Brekky Bar.
What feedback would you give to improve the layout and content?
Then click on the hotspot icons in the left-hand margin to see the feedback given.
Activity
Consider the scenario below and choose the responses you think best fit. More than one response is possible.
Activity
Consider the scenario below and choose the best response.
Referring students to other UniSA services
You may find that students ask you questions at on-campus events that are best directed to another UniSA service. Read about USASA and other student services before taking a quiz to help you check your knowledge of what student support services are available.
USASA, the University of South Australia Students’ Association, is a democratic organisation run by students. Find out more about USASA.
In particular, USASA Advocates are available to assist students with the following:
- Requests for remarking and resubmissions
- Appeals against allegations of academic misconduct (including plagiarism)
- Appeals against final grades
- Appeals against intention to preclude
If a student issue is not listed here, an Advocate may still be able to assist. Find out more info about USASA Advocates here.
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Activity: Which student service would you refer students to? Use the Student Support Services pages to help you answer the quiz. You can then check your answers on the next page. Click here for a downloadable version of this activity. a. Information about support for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students b. Feedback on a draft of their assignment c. Finding a part-time job or a volunteering position d. Advice on managing personal issues at home e. Query about their visa or health cover f. Special consideration for exams due to recent injury g. Locating a houseshare h. Accessing a student advocate |
Answers to which student service quiz:
Study Help PALS may network with other students through UniSA activities and events, have influence or act as a link between students and the university, and are in a role where they are supporting other students. For these reasons, it is important that you are informed about issues of sexual consent. Please complete the 'Consent and respectful relationships' training module, an interactive course designed to help students understand sexual consent, and to promote positive change in the University community. The training takes approximately 1 hour.
What happens next?
Face-to-face training session
Make sure you have booked into a training session on campus via CareerHub. Don't forget to bring your answers to the 'Where to find Study Help resources' activity with you (even if incomplete) plus any queries you may have. Please also bring a laptop/tablet for use during the session.
After completing your training, we will let you know whether you have met the requirements to join the Study Help PALS program. If you haven’t, we will discuss how you can work towards your involvement in the next intake.
On the other hand, if you feel that the program is not for you, just let us know that you no longer wish to be involved.
Also, if your circumstances change, you are free to withdraw from the program at any time.
Getting started as a Study Help PALS volunteer
If you have met the training and other requirements to join the program, we will:
- provide you with a Study Help PALS t-shirt
- negotiate with you which tasks you would like to commit to for the study period
- go over admin requirements and communication processes
- answer any other questions you may have.
Processes and procedures for the Study Help PALS program
For on campus events:- only attend scheduled events approved by the Learning Adviser team as a Study Help PALS volunteer
- liaise closely with the Study Help PALS Leaders about event aim, details and timing
- wear your Study Help PALS t-shirt and closed toe shoes during events
- arrive at designated campus location ahead of the start time to set up any equipment or materials
- if appropriate, place Study Help PALS banner nearby
- pack down any equipment and leave area tidy and return banner to storage location.
- be involved only in the creation of scheduled social media content approved by the Learning Adviser team and published through approved channels as a Study Help PALS volunteer
- liaise closely with the Study Help PALS Leaders about the aim, form, timing and detail of social media content.
- the Study Help PALS program requires volunteers to commit up to 20 hours during the study period.
- keep a record of your volunteering hours for your own reference and if needed for other UniSA programs (e.g. UniSA+).
Communicating changes in your availability
- if you can't meet a commitment due to illness or a change in your circumstances for example, please contact the Study Help PALS Leaders as soon as possible.
Sharing ideas
- use MS Teams for sharing ideas with other volunteers, for feedback on ideas or resources, or to ask the Study Help PALS Leaders any questions
- lots of our best ideas started during conversations at our morning tea catch-ups! Please come along if you can. : )
Feedback and concerns
Please share any feedback or concerns with your Study Help PALS Leader in the first instance.
If you want to discuss your concerns further, you can contact Alison Pryce or Keith Smith at studyhelp@unisa.edu.au. If you have questions about the processes for addressing concerns, please contact Kirstin Marks, Manager: Learning Advisers at kirstin.marks@unisa.edu.au