Background

U:PASS is based on the Supplemental Instruction (SI) program developed by Dr. Deanna Martin at the University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) in 1973. Since its development, SI has spread to over 30 countries and every year more than 250,000 students around the world attend programs based on SI.

In Australia, SI programs are usually known as PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) or PAL (Peer Assisted Learning). These programs have been successfully implemented in a number of Australian universities including the University of Melbourne, the University of Wollongong, the University of Sydney and Macquarie University.

Theoretical underpinning

The U:PASS program employs cooperative learning methods, which encourage the use of small groups of students who collaborate in order to improve their own learning skills as well as the skills of others. These methods are based on various theoretical perspectives including behavioural learning theory, social interdependence theory and cognitive-developmental theory. For a review, see Johnson, Johnson & Stanne (2000).