Evaluating the Outcomes of a Peer-Mentoring Program for Students Transitioning to Postsecondary Education

dc.creator	Lori Goff
dc.date	2011-12-01T00:00:00Z
dc.date.accessioned	2015-07-20T22:25:09Z
dc.date.available	2015-07-20T22:25:09Z
dc.identifier	http://dx.doi.org/10.5206/cjsotl-rcacea.2011.2.2
dc.identifier	1918-2902
dc.identifier	https://doaj.org/article/b3da302c0ae1484c8f516016a751aeca
dc.identifier.uri	http://evidence.thinkportal.org/handle/123456789/21353
dc.description	A peer-mentoring program was developed for students in an introductory biology course at a university in Ontario, Canada. Students could attend up to five peer-mentoring sessions during their first semester. Quantitative-survey, participation, and academic data spanning from 2003 through 2007 were reviewed for the purpose of evaluating the program. An objectives-oriented approach was used to determine if the program was meeting its goals to improve students’ introductory biology grades, facilitate transitioning experiences, and encourage students to pursue studies in biology. Data analysis revealed that students who participated in the program felt that it was a valuable experience. Students attending three or more sessions performed significantly better in their introductory biology courses, measured by final grades achieved, than those attending fewer sessions. There were no indications that the peer-mentoring program had any impact on students’ perceptions of transitioning to university or on their program selection preferences. Recommendations are made to improve the peer-mentoring program to better align its components and objectives.Un programme de mentorat par les pairs destiné aux étudiants qui suivent un cours d'introduction à la biologie a été implanter dans un université situé dans la province de l’Ontario. Les étudiants avaient accès à cinq séances de mentorat par les pairs au cours du premier semestre. Afin d’évaluer le programme, les chercheurs ont effectué des sondages quantitatifs, examiné la participation et les notes des étudiants entre 2003 et 2007. Ils ont utilisé une méthode axée sur les objectifs afin de déterminer si le programme atteignait ses objectifs qui consistaient à améliorer les notes des étudiants au cours d’introduction à la biologie, à faciliter leur transition et à les encourager à poursuivre des études en biologie. L'analyse des données révèle que les étudiants qui ont participé au programme de mentorat, l’ont trouvé utile. Les notes des étudiants qui ont participé à trois ou quatre séances étaient considérablement plus élevées que celles de ceux qui ont assisté à moins de séances. Rien n’indique que le programme de mentorat par les pairs influe sur la perception des étudiants en ce qui a trait à la transition vers l’université ni sur leurs préférences en matière de choix de programmes. Les chercheurs recommandent d’améliorer le programme de mentorat afin de mieux harmoniser ses composantes et ses objectifs.
dc.language	English
dc.language	French
dc.publisher	Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
dc.relation	http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cjsotl_rcacea/vol2/iss2/2
dc.relation	https://doaj.org/toc/1918-2902
dc.source	Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning , Vol 2, Iss 2 (2011)
dc.subject	post-secondary education
dc.subject	university
dc.subject	transition
dc.subject	peer-mentoring
dc.subject	evaluation
dc.subject	Education (General)
dc.subject	L7-991
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.subject	DOAJ:Education
dc.subject	DOAJ:Social Sciences
dc.subject	Education (General)
dc.subject	L7-991
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.subject	DOAJ:Education
dc.subject	DOAJ:Social Sciences
dc.subject	Education (General)
dc.subject	L7-991
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.subject	Education (General)
dc.subject	L7-991
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.subject	Education (General)
dc.subject	L7-991
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.title	Evaluating the Outcomes of a Peer-Mentoring Program for Students Transitioning to Postsecondary Education
dc.type	article