ERIC Number: EJ1285335
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2375-804X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Preparing Learning Community Peer Mentors to Support Students' Transitions
Benjamin, Mimi
Learning Communities Research and Practice, v8 n2 Article 3 2020
Peer mentors in learning communities for first-year students aid new students in their transition to college. However, little is known about how these peer mentors address concerning student behaviors, particularly those that may suggest a psychiatric/psychological disability. This research addressed the issue by asking peer mentors how they were trained and how they attended to concerning behaviors in their learning community groups. Findings from this qualitative study, based on individual interviews with 11 peer mentors in one learning community, centered around the impact of peer mentor training on the mentors, their role in observing and addressing behaviors, and their observations about the ways learning community students responded to peers demonstrating concerning behaviors. Recommendations for the use and training of peer mentors are identified.
Descriptors: Communities of Practice, Peer Relationship, Mentors, Student Adjustment, Transitional Programs, College Freshmen, Late Adolescents, Females, Majors (Students), College Science, Research Universities, Student Behavior, Disability Identification, Behavior Disorders, Observation, Training
Evergreen State College's Washington Center, the National Resource for Learning Communities. 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, SEM II E2115, Olympia, WA 98505. Tel: 360-864-6606; Fax: 360-867-6662; e-mail: washcenter@evergreen.edu; Web site: https://washingtoncenter.evergreen.edu/lcrpjournal/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A