The Workshop model is a peer-led team-learning model of teaching sciences, mathematics and other undergraduate disciplines.  The Workshop Model provides an active learning experience for students, creates a leadership role for undergraduates, and engages faculty in a creative new dimension in teaching.

In the PLTL Workshop Model, students who have done well in the course previously become guides and mentors, Peer Leaders, to  groups of six to eight students. These peer-led groups, which meet weekly to work on carefully structured problems, provide a supportive environment that helps each student build an understanding of course content. For the peer leaders, the experience of working with faculty and guiding their peers through a difficult course is rewarding and unforgettable, and can have a profound effect on their individual and professional growth.

Peer leaders actively engage students with the course materials and with each other in weekly workshops. This facilitation can take many forms: using various techniques for problem solving, offering timely assistance when a group is stuck, and providing guidance and encouragement. The peer leaders don’t dispense answers; they must know when to help, and when not to. The workshop leader sets a tone for the discussion in which individual points of view are respected, criticism is constructive, and all members have an equal opportunity to participate.

1.      A Peer-Led Team Learning Workshop is a regular course component that all students are expected to attend.

2.     The faculty teaching the course are closely involved with the workshops and the workshop leaders.

3.      The Workshop leaders are well trained and closely supervised, with attention to content knowledge, facilitation and learning techniques. 

4.      The Workshop materials are challenging, and encourage collaborative problem solving.

5.     Organizational arrangements are optimized to promote learning.

6.      There is appropriate institutional support for innovative teaching.