Office of Education Development and Gateway Education

PALSI - The Peer-Assisted Learning scheme using Supplemental Instruction

PALSI Home

This experience gives me a deeper understanding on 'teaching is learning'.

- Mr Chenwei CAO, PALSI Leader (AP, 2011 Graduate)

PALSI is a meaningful scheme to help Year 1 students like me to facilitate a smooth transition from secondary school to university study.

- Miss Polly YUEN, PALSI Students (MS, 2010 Graduate)

[More comments from students]

What is PALSI?

PALSI is a peer-assisted learning scheme using Supplemental Instruction (SI) model. PALSI aims at enhancing students' understanding in course materials and improve students'overall learning and reasoning skills. Regularly scheduled, out-of-class and peer-facilitated review sessions are open to all students taking the PALSI courses.

As PALSI is a course-based learning initiative, senior students who have performed well in the department core courses are invited to be PALSI Leaders. They meet with junior students (called PALSI Students) studying in the same course to discuss academic work and share tips on effective learning strategies.

Nominated PALSI courses (Semester B, 2012-13)

CB

Courses
CB2100 CB2201 CB2400 CB2500
MS2200      

CSE

Courses
AP1201 AP2104 AP3111  
BST11441 BST12345 BST12511 BST12512
BST12513 BST12542 BST22316  
EE2004      

 

Why should you join PALSI?

PALSI is an academic support initiative that targets who want to get better grade in their courses, especially for Year One students.

The transition from secondary school education to university study is challenging. You have to adapt to different learning modes and environments. Let us help you improve on the grades. The cumulative effects of GPA (Grade Points Average) will bring significant impacts for further opportunities in your university study and beyond (e.g. internship, exchange, graduate honours, etc.) if you perform poorly in the first year study.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

On graduation, you are expected to achieve the Graduate Outcomes.

Aligned with the Graduate Outcomes, the ILOs for PALSI were developed. Upon completion of PALSI, you will be able to:

  • identify their own learning needs & interests
  • apply effective learning attitude, strategies and skills
  • collaborate with other learning partners to learn more actively and reflectively
  • explain the expectations and outcomes of your own programme and courses
  • identify opportunities for discovery and innovation

PALSI operations

The Scheme runs for 8 weeks, from Week 5 to Week 12 of the Semester.


PALSI Leaders meet with the corresponding group of PALSI Students 2 hours per week. PALSI Leaders will assist their students to prepare for classes, formulate study plans and review course materials in order to help improve their learning skills and master the course content well. PALSI Students should prepare for the session by studying beforehand, identify the focus of the session and set learning goals.

PALSI Mentors are trained student helpers who will have session visits, collect PALSI members' opinions and complete observation record.

Reflections/ Comments from Past PALSI Leaders and Students

Both past PALSI Leaders and Students found the Scheme useful in helping new students master the subject matters, and both Leaders and Students report an improvement in their thinking and organizational skills upon completion of the Scheme. Please refer to the individual pieces of reflection. [Read more]

For enquiry or nomination of PALSI courses (by Course Examiners)

Please contact Ms Hokling Cheung at 34426632 or learning@cityu.edu.hk if you want to nominate your course or have any questions.