Free Peer Learning is offered to all AAP students who want to strengthen their abilities to think critically and independently, read analytically, write well, reason quantitatively, and study effectively while mastering course materials. Every quarter, we offer Peer Learning in more than 450 courses in our Science, Social Science, and Humanities Labs. Close to 200 Peer Learning Facilitors, the vast majority of whom are successful upper division AAP students, are trained to challenge and support students academically and to serve as role models, listening to and talking with students about their academic and personal lives.

The Peer Learning unit builds on the premise that critical thinking and intellectual independence are developed through questioning and dialogue. Most of our Peer Learning sessions take place in small groups of three to five students. This setting fosters discussion and allows students to listen to, grapple with, and articulate new and different perspectives. It enables students to work collaboratively, helping them to see that they can rely on classmates as well as Peer Learning Facilitators. Composition courses are conducted almost exclusively one-on-one and focus on the individual's own expression and understanding. We treat writing as a process of ongoing revision, teaching students to critically evaluate and edit their own writing.

AAP Peer Learning Makes a Difference!!!

AAP's Peer Learning Philosophy - AAP Peer Learning workshops are concerned with fostering excellence, not remediation

Every year, the AAP Peer Learning Center provides free workshops to more than 4,000 AAP students through its Humanities, Physical/Life Sciences, and Social Sciences Labs. AAP Peer Learning workshops offer you a unique opportunity to receive individual attention, to shape your own educational experience, and to push yourself to academic excellence.

The majority of our workshops are done in small groups of three to five students. Small group Peer Learning fosters discussion and allows for the articulation of different perspectives. It helps you develop the tools necessary for scholarly inquiry. It allows you to work collaboratively, to help one another, to see that you can rely on classmates as well as TA's and Peer Learning facilitators, and to see that you are not alone in your personal or academic pursuits.

Composition courses are led almost exclusively one-on-one and focus on your own expression and understanding. Writing is treated as a process of ongoing revision, teaching you to critically evaluate and revise your own writing. Individual sessions allow the Peer Learning facilitator to become more involved in your learning process, and to get a close-up look at what skills, experiences, and knowledge you bring to the course. Individual sessions give you and the Facilittor a better opportunity to get to know and trust one another.

AAP's Peer Learning philosophy is grounded in the following beliefs:

To become active and critical thinkers, students must assume responsibility for the learning that occurs in Peer Learning sessions.

AAP Peer Learning facilitators do not reproduce the role of the instructor. In fact, they regularly encourage students to meet with their professors and TA's. Peer Learning facilitators supplement instruction by getting you to engage course materials actively, critically, and independently through questioning, dialogue, and debate. The aim is to place you at the center of the Peer Learning session, making you responsible for interpreting materials, questioning concepts, and testing the ideas you encounter in your classes.

Students recognize their own intellectual authority only in an environment that combines rigorous academic expectations with encouragement, support, and respect.

AAP Peer Learning facilitators encourage you to share your experiences and insights freely during tutorial sessions; they provide you with constructive feedback that acknowledges the value of your ideas and validates your potential as an aspiring scholar; they actively challenge your perceptions and help you appreciate the power and value of your ethnic and socio- economic heritage.

Effective Peer Learning facilitators are intellectual mentors who offer their personal support and their knowledge of campus life.

Peer Learning facilitators are often asked to mediate in problems and situations that have roots in distinctly non- academic spheres: in feelings of alienation, anxiety about family expectations, financial pressures, and the like. Trained in crisis intervention, AAP Peer Learning facilitators provide you with information about campus resources and refer you to the appropriate campus offices.

Many students worry about using Peer Learning, thinking that it's remedial. Perhaps you are one. Here are some reasons students give for not using AAP Peer Learning workshops and our responses to them.

Reason #1: I don't need Peer Learning workshops because I'm not in academic difficulty.

Our program is broader than trouble-shooting or remedy-seeking. AAP Peer Learning workshops are designed to enhance your learning--even if you are an "A" student. Learning is enriched if it takes place in a social context where you can test your understanding in dialogue with others. Everyone can benefit from seeing how others view things, hearing responses to one's own ideas and the ideas of others, and receiving encouragement from one's peers. Peer Learning workshops give you a place to assume the role of instructor as well as learner; and it introduces you to a network of other students.

Of course, if you are having trouble understanding class material, Peer Learning workshops are a fine place to seek assistance. We know that people sometimes feel stigmatized when they ask for help, but it's important to recognize that you don't need to handle everything alone. Working with a Peer Learning facilitator does not detract from whatever you accomplish.

Reason #2: I don't want to depend on others.

Peer Learning workshop sessions are designed not only to strengthen your academic skills, but to cultivate your confidence and self-reliance. Facilitators will help you articulate your ideas, not impose their own. They will help you view your work critically and guide you to look for options.

Peer Learning workshop sessions are student-centered. We encourage you and the facilitator to discuss expectations, to examine the Peer Learning workshop relationship, and to work on that relationship as you work together on academic material.

Reason #3: I don't have time for Peer Learning workshops.

Time is at a premium at the university. The quarter system is demanding. Our workshops will help you get started quicker and become more organized and focused, all of which should generate enthusiasm in your work.

Reason #4: I had a bad experience with Peer Learning workshops.

Perhaps you have had a bad experience with Peer Learning workshops. That does happen. Things can go wrong in human relationships. Maybe it was a personality conflict, or perhaps your expectations were different from the facilitator's. Whatever the reason, we urge you to try Peer Learning workshops again. Bad experiences are the rare exception in our program.

Reason #5: If I want Peer Learning workshops, I can use my friends.

We think it's good for you to get together with other students and encourage you to do just that whenever you can. But we think you'll find it useful to develop a relationship centered on our Peer Learning workshops. For one thing, friends may not always be available; or such sessions may have more of a drop-in quality to them than a sustained one. An ongoing Peer Learning workshop relationship, with a trained facilitator, guided by AAP's educational philosophy, offers you an avenue to academic excellence.

In closing, though we urge you to use AAP Peer Learning workshops for a number of reasons, one very important reason remains: this program belongs to you--the students. It was formed by students like yourself, and it has been passed on to you. 90% of the facilitators are AAP students like yourself. If AAP Peer Learning workshops are to continue to meet your needs, it is extremely important that you help shape its direction by your active participation.