Peer Education Resources
What is peer education? Who is a peer educator?
Peer education refers to a range of programs across campus in which trained students, called peer educators, support other students’ learning. This support can take many forms, either one-on-one, in small groups, or within the classroom. Tutor, Learning Assistant, Teaching Assistant, and Mentor are some of the more common position titles associated with peer educators.
Training and professional development are at the core of successful peer education programs, which are strengthened by sharing resources and collaborating.
Training Resources
Check out our open access online training modules, developed with EOP, and other training resources we use to develop skills and strategies for working peer-to-peer. The interactive module includes skills and tools to support active listening, active learning support, and effective structures for peer-to-peer interactions.
Peer Educator Conference
OSU students in peer educator positions are invited to join in community together in this annual conference, by peer educators, for peer educators. Gain valuable professional development by attending sessions, and consider presenting at the conference.
Consultation & Collaboration
Are you building, refining, or adapting a peer educator program? Entering a new role in a peer education program? Do you have something you want to share with a wider peer educator audience? Whether you’re a supervisor, coordinator, or a peer educator, please reach out about opportunities to connect, share resources, or collaborate.
Peer educators are “students who have been selected and trained to offer educational services to their peers."
Why peer education?
Peer education services are intentionally designed to assist in the adjustment, satisfaction, and persistence of students toward attainment of their educational goals.” (Ender & Newton, 2000). Successful peer education programs share common features including intentionality of program design, training and professional development for peer educators, and full-cycle assessment.
Peer education is the cornerstone of Academic Success Center programs. Each year, over fifty student employees’ work makes a difference for students in roles like Supplemental Instruction Leader, Academic Coach, Strategist, Outreach Specialist, and more. The Academic Success Center, the Writing Center, and other programs at OSU utilize peer educators because of the mutual benefit for both the student providing support and the student receiving it.
Positive Impacts of Peer Education
Students who use peer education programs generally experience improved academic performance, enhanced interpersonal and social skills, and increased satisfaction with their college experience. They're also more likely to stay at their institution and graduate (Arendale, 1994; Astin, 1993; Callahan, 2009; Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005; Shook & Keup, 2012). These benefits stem from high impact practices such as opportunities to collaborate with a diverse group of students, interaction outside of the classroom, and frequent opportunities for feedback (NSSE, 2016).
Peer education benefits not only the students being served, but also the peer educators providing the service. Benefits include increased campus engagement and knowledge of resources, development of communication and leadership skills; experience problem-solving and thinking critically; increased awareness of diversity; and positive perceptions of learning and development (Keup, 2016; Priest & de Campos Paula, 2016).
