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PAL Central: Observations

An online hub of guidance and resources for our PAL Leaders and their Level 4 students.

Observations

5Ws

Who?

Your observations will be carried out by:

  • The Central PAL Team
  • Peer Support Leaders
  • Some members of the LLS team

We recruit former PAL Leader as Peer Support Leaders as they are able to to use and share their own experiences to offer advice and constructive feedback.

What?

  • 1 hour long observations of online PAL sessions to see how the PAL sessions are running
  • The observation will be recorded on an online observation form during the session
  • There will be a brief 5 minute meeting before the session and 15 minutes of verbal feedback after the session, followed by a written summary on the form
  • The completed observation form are then sent to the Central PAL Team at PAL@bournemouth.ac.uk and a copy to the PAL Leader within 2 working days of the observation
  • During the session your observer will be an impartial observer and will not contribute to the session. They may keep their microphone and webcam off to avoid distracting the group.

When & Where?

This year, the Central PAL Team will be allocating observation dates and times to avoid further delays in observations starting.

We will be emailing you with the date and time of your observation and your observer will be cc'd in in case you wish to ask them any questions or share anything before the session.

Your observer will be added to the private channel where the PAL session is taking place. If you are not using MS Teams for the observation, please share the link to the session with your observer in advance.

Please start the session 5 minutes early where possible to enable your observer to join and introduce themselves to you.

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Why?

Observations are part of the support package that we provide our PAL Leaders with. 

They also provide PAL Leaders with an opportunity to reflect on their sessions, gain some feedback and report back on any concerns.

Before the Observation

  • You will be contacted in advance about the arrangement of the observation
  • You will be provided with the email address of your observer so you can communicate beforehand if necessary 
  • You will meet with your observer 5 minutes before the session so they can introduce themselves and brief you on the process
  • The details of your observation will not be shared with anyone other than the Central PAL Team. Your observer will keep your observation notes confidential.

During the Observation

  • The observer will not participate or interrupt the session
  • You can introduce your observer to your students if it would put them at ease about the observer not being present to observe them
  • You should not refer to your observer or ask them questions during your session - the session should take place as if the observer was not present
  • If you have no students turn up to your session, you will need to discuss this with your observer

After the Observation

  • You will need to set aside 15 minutes after your PAL session for your observer to discuss the session and provide you with feedback
  • This will be verbal feedback about what went well and what could be improved - they may also connect this to their own experience and tips
  • If you have a lecture of seminar straight after your PAL session, please agree a later time to meet with your observer to gain the feedback.
  • You will receive a written copy of your observation within 2 working days of the observation taking place