Why this Toolkit

This toolkit supports educators in designing and delivering structured Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) activities within taught modules. It is designed to:

Improve Student Engagement

Create a collaborative space where students confidently participate, ask questions, and support one another.

Support Collaborative Learning

Foster teamwork and collective problem-solving to help students share ideas and build shared understanding.

Easy to Integrate In Class

Seamlessly fit into existing teaching routines with minimal setup, effort, or disruption.

Require Minimal Preparation

Access ready-to-use, adaptable materials and simple steps designed to integrate effortlessly into existing modules.

What PAL Is vs What PAL Is Not

Understanding the key distinctions

PAL Is

  • Structured peer-to-peer learning activity
  • Guided discussion and problem-solving
  • Student-led, with facilitator oversight
  • Focused on learning with and from peers

PAL Is Not

  • Additional assessment
  • Replacement for lectures
  • Extra marking workload
  • Informal group work without structure

Quick Start Guide

Time Required

  • Prep: ~10 minutes
  • Delivery: 60 minutes

What You Need

  • A cohort divided into small groups (4-6 students)
  • Access to Padlet or similar collaborative tool
  • One PAL activity template

Steps

Get started with PAL in four simple steps

1.
Choose a PAL Activity Template

Select a ready-made template aligned with your learning objectives, with clear instructions and timings to minimize preparation.

2.
Share the Prompt on Padlet

Post your prompt to Padlet to give every student a voice helping you gauge prior understanding.

3.
Run the 60-Minute Session

Facilitate collaborative peer discussions using the provided structure to keep learning focused.

4.
Collect Feedback and Engagement Data

Gather student feedback to track engagement and measure confidence; refine future PAL sessions.

PAL Toolkits Reusable Resources

A set of ready-to-use resources that can be adopted with minimal preparation time.

Session Plans

Fully prepared teaching plans.

Download

Padlet Setup Guideline

Step-by-step setup guide.

Download

Activity Templates

Pre-designed classroom tools.

Download

Facilitation Guidance

Expert delivery tips.

Download

Student Handout Guide

User-friendly guides for students.

Download

Evaluation Tools

Progress and outcome trackers.

Download
The toolkit is easy to adopt, enabling quick integration into existing course modules. It is evidence-informed, built on research-based practices, and can be used in multiple modules, making it adaptable for different topics or programs. It also produces quantitative impact, allowing users to measure outcomes and track results through clear data and metrics.

Contact Dr Adijat Omowumi Inyang (Wumi) at a.inyang@qmul.ac.uk