Social and cultural changes and globalization processes are posing specific questions to the educational institutions with the pur- pose to rethink new educational models, policies and practices in or- der to support students learning needs and to face health promotion in policies. This paper focuses on the educational model and practices to promote the well-being and life skills of students in the academic community, as working on the well-being of an individual has effect on the well-being of the whole community. The paper takes an in depth look at Promotional Community (Bussu et al., 2016) and StudyCircle models (Bussu et al., 2018). Specifically, by using intervention research, it presents and discusses the results of the ‘StudyCircle Peer Mentoring’ project focused on the participatory practice implemented as a pilot experience in Southern (Italy) Higher Education European Systems in 2014-2015. The aim of the project is to train second year students as facilitators/trainers by supporting their personal development and professional identity. These second-year students in turn support first year students in transitioning to Universi- ty. Projects goals focus on increasing the academic and social integra- tion of first year students at the university through peer mentoring. The paper aims to explore new learning strategies and best educational practices to involve students in active roles at the university in order to promote community building and explore which tool/strategies could be most effective in flitting this. 20 students completed a peer mentoring training in Italy. Were collected students’ experiences and satisfaction by semi-structured interviews. The edu- cational model and training contents have been adopted effectively in both academic systems. This experience demonstrates the importance of involving students in a more dynamic role, so that they consider themselves active players within the university community.
Peer Mentoring to Promote Students' Well-being and Community Building in Higher Education: an Italian Case Study
Contini R
2020-01-01
Abstract
Social and cultural changes and globalization processes are posing specific questions to the educational institutions with the pur- pose to rethink new educational models, policies and practices in or- der to support students learning needs and to face health promotion in policies. This paper focuses on the educational model and practices to promote the well-being and life skills of students in the academic community, as working on the well-being of an individual has effect on the well-being of the whole community. The paper takes an in depth look at Promotional Community (Bussu et al., 2016) and StudyCircle models (Bussu et al., 2018). Specifically, by using intervention research, it presents and discusses the results of the ‘StudyCircle Peer Mentoring’ project focused on the participatory practice implemented as a pilot experience in Southern (Italy) Higher Education European Systems in 2014-2015. The aim of the project is to train second year students as facilitators/trainers by supporting their personal development and professional identity. These second-year students in turn support first year students in transitioning to Universi- ty. Projects goals focus on increasing the academic and social integra- tion of first year students at the university through peer mentoring. The paper aims to explore new learning strategies and best educational practices to involve students in active roles at the university in order to promote community building and explore which tool/strategies could be most effective in flitting this. 20 students completed a peer mentoring training in Italy. Were collected students’ experiences and satisfaction by semi-structured interviews. The edu- cational model and training contents have been adopted effectively in both academic systems. This experience demonstrates the importance of involving students in a more dynamic role, so that they consider themselves active players within the university community.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
