Located along Florida’s I-4 High Tech Corridor, Florida Poly opened its doors in August 2014 as the state’s 12th university and the only one dedicated to core subjects in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM education). The non-traditional academic environment focuses on applied learning, specifically in technology and engineering. Small class sizes give faculty the opportunity to work closely with high-caliber students, and the most advanced technology, including a Supercomputer, 3D printing lab, media lab and nanotechnology lab, sets Florida Poly apart from other state universities. Florida Poly’s innovative approach to higher education allows students to learn strong fundamentals within a traditional university department structure, while giving them opportunities to apply their learning through research and projects in emerging high-tech concentrations like Cyber Security, Big Data Analytics, Machine Intelligence and more. The University partners closely with industry leading firms, and faculty members are rewarded for more than just publishing. Industry involvement, problem solving, and the commercialization of technology and research through start-ups and small businesses are encouraged.
Job Title
Peer Learning Strategist
Job Description Summary
The University is initiating a new student learning project as part of its Reaffirmation of Accreditation with SACSCOC. This project, or “quality enhancement plan” is called Florida Poly PEER for “engaged education project” that looks to successful students to be leaders in supporting younger peers on their academic journey.
A chief role in this project is that of the Peer Learning Strategist. The Peer Learning Assistant (PLS) is an undergraduate student, sophomore or above, who has a cumulative GPA of 3.0, maintains a semester GPA of at least 2.75, and has successfully passed key freshman courses with a grade of B- or better. The PLS will have demonstrated strong study skills and time management techniques with potential for successfully organizing student study groups and leading learning strategy sessions. The PLS will work closely with identified course coordinators to ensure consistency and clarity of message to students in the course.
Job Description
What IS and ISN’T A Peer Learning Strategist
The purpose of Peer Learning Strategists is to assist students in having effective study groups. They are not subject matter experts, TAs, or tutors. Their job is to encourage habits of mind that enhance real learning. PLSs teach students how to integrate course expectations with reasoning and study skills to increase their performance. The PLS approach is an active approach to learning that supports students toward academic success by integrating “what to learn” with “how to learn.”
What the PLS is Expected to Do
As a PLS, students are expected to:
Hold, at a minimum, weekly Guided Learning Sessions (GLS) with students for the assigned course, and where appropriate facilitate smaller learning groups within GLSs. Meet weekly with assigned course coordinator for the purpose of learning the coming expectations for the course and serve as a feedback loop to the course coordinator about particular difficulties students have expressed about the course. Engage in regular, on-going training and professional development guided by our Principal Learning Strategist and key University staff through a dedicated Canvas course. Support faculty with some periodic grading of low-level assignments.
Guided Learning Sessions
A guided learning session is not a tutoring session, but a workshop where PLSs who have been trained in learning skills methods will assist students in forming better approaches to coursework practice such as homework, exams, projects, and other deliverables. The GLSs may sub-divide into smaller groups where students work out the strategies in an effort to study the material and complete course assignments.
The Peer Learning Strategist’ guided learning sessions enable students to
Get to know classmates.
Develop study and learning strategies.
Succeed academically through conscious examination how you produce what is expected from a course.
Support each other in critical content knowledge and skill acquisition.
PLS sessions start around the second week of class. Each PLS typically sets up two or more review sessions per week. Course students are encouraged to participate regularly in Guided Learning Sessions; however, statistics show that the more often students attend, the better their grades.
Commitment and Compensation
The Peer Learning Strategist is expected to commit between 10 and 20 hours per week to this role accordingly:
Up to two 1:15 minutes Guided Learning Sessions
Up to one-hour with course coordinator
Up to one-hour in professional development activity
Approximately 30 minutes of related preparation and assorted responsibilities related to the role.
30 minutes: provide session reports to designated Course Coordinator
Duties may include up to 5 hours/week of course grading assistance
Other duties as assigned
$12.00 / hour at a max of 20 hours per week.
Apply NOW for Fall 2021 positions
Special Instructions Regarding Attachments:
Required attachments are listed on each posting. Please be sure to attach all required documents in the Resume/CV field before continuing through the application. Once your application has been submitted, no changes may be made and additional attachments will not be considered.
An unofficial copy of the degree/transcript is acceptable during the application process. For positions requiring a degree, the official transcripts are required upon hire.
Foreign Transcript: Transcripts issued outside of the United States require a equivalency statement from a certified transcript evaluation service verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. This report must be attached with the application and submitted by the application deadline.
All document(s) must be received on or before the closing date of the job announcements.
This position requires a background check, which may include a level II screening as required by the Florida Statute §435.04.