Welcome to Covel Peer Learning Labs!  We offer currently enrolled, UCLA undergraduates free learning support aimed at developing academic skills, critical thinking, and independent learning.  Our learning labs (Athletics and Math/Science) are staffed by carefully selected and trained Peer Learning Facilitators, chosen for their academic excellence and communication skills.

Our services at Covel Peer Learning Labs are guided by the following philosophical principles:

• The ultimate goal of peer learning is student independence.  The facilitator’s role is never to do students’ work for them, but rather to help students help themselves. 

• Peer learning is most effective through dialogue, where both student and facilitator participate in an ongoing discussion which builds on their collective understanding of the material.

• Facilitators aim to help students grow as learners holistically, rather than simply perform well on a specific homework assignment, paper, or test.

• Facilitators try to share their intellectual excitement and enthusiasm for learning, but they never try to impose their own ideas, beliefs, or values on students.

Based on this philosophy, here are some of the things you can expect out of your peer learning session:

Facilitators won’t...

Facilitators will...

Do the work for students. Edit papers or solve specific homework problems. Provide answers to problems without discussion or explanation. Predict students’ grades, either for assignments or a class. Assist students with take-home exams Provide students with texts, summaries of class readings, class notes, extensive outlines, or other class materials not otherwise distributed by the professor or TA. Discuss any course assignments by way of email or phone. Work with students outside of the lab, outside of lab hours, or outside of the facilitator’s scheduled work hours. Impose ideas or personal beliefs on students.

Promote collaborative learning, in which students and facilitators work together to maximize understanding. Listen more than they talk and keep students actively involved in the session. Share helpful learning strategies and reinforce students’ understanding of course concepts. Offer honest and practical encouragement, and constructive criticism. Supply students with materials that foster interest in the subject, provide additional practice for important concepts and processes, and promote learning independence. Use available resources—books, handouts, other staff—to supplement their sessions. Establish specific goals for each session, prepare activities which assist students in attaining these goals, and actively guide the session so that each meeting is a positive learning experience for every student. Admit when they cannot answer a question and direct students to the proper resources. Maintain an atmosphere that promotes educational growth and respect amongst all students.

 

Please read the descriptions below to get a deeper understanding of the mission and services offered at each of our learning labs:

Covel Athletics Peer Learning Lab
209 Covel Commons
(310) 206-7526
AITCAthleticsLab@college.ucla.edu

The Athletics Lab provides academic support to UCLA student-athletes in small group and individual peer learning sessions, primarily for lower-division and General Education courses.  In cooperation with the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, the Athletics Lab seeks to help students understand their individual learning needs, develop the skills necessary to meet university expectations, and achieve their educational goals, while promoting student independence and self-advocacy.

To enroll in a peer learning session, students must register in person at Covel Commons during the 1st or 2nd week of instruction.  Click here for a list of this quarter’s registration times.  Team registration appointments are also available upon request.  To expedite the sign up process, students should bring their Bruincard, class schedule, and practice schedule when they come to register.

Covel Math/Science Peer Learning Lab
230 Covel Commons
(310) 206-1491
AITCMathSupervisors@college.ucla.edu

The Math/Science Lab offers weekly group learning assistance for selected introductory courses in chemistry, life sciences, mathematics, and physics.  In this setting, students can ask questions, test their mastery of concepts and improve their problem solving skills, learning methods, and study strategies.  Our current course offerings are listed below:

Chemistry 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 20A, 20B, 30A, 30B, 153A
Life Sciences 1, 2, 3, 4
Mathematics 3A, 3B, 3C, 31A, 31B, 32A
Physics 6A, 6B, 1A, 1B

To enroll in a peer learning session, students must register in person at Covel Commons during the first week of instruction.  Exact registration times are announced in the classes being offered each quarter, but they are generally held from 12:00 – 4:00 PM in Covel Commons 230 on the following days:

Fall Quarter:  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (Week 1)
Winter Quarter:  Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (Week 1)
Spring Quarter:  Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (Week 1)

In addition to weekly sessions, drop-in assistance is available from Week 2 through Week 10 during the regular academic year.  It is usually held from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, Monday – Thursday, in Rieber Hall 115.  Click here for the current quarterly drop-in schedule.  

Becoming a Covel Peer Learning Facilitator 

Hiring periods for Peer Learning Facilitator positions are held once a year during Spring Quarter.  Applications are usually made available in late February or early March, and the deadline is around the second week of Spring Quarter.  Specific information will be updated on this page in February of each year.