Peer Support and Learning Unit

Peer Support and Learning Unit

The Peer Support and Learning Unit is a support unit that offers small-group learning sessions designed to help students overcome academic difficulties they may encounter in their courses. Through the Unit, students can work collaboratively with their peers on topics they find challenging, explore different approaches to problem-solving, and share experiences related to effective learning strategies.

Sessions offered by the Unit are facilitated by senior students who have previously completed the relevant courses successfully. These students do not act as instructors; rather, they serve as facilitators who support the learning process, encourage group interaction, and promote active student participation. Accordingly, the purpose of the sessions is not to reteach course content, but to enhance students’ learning through activities such as solving sample questions, discussing course-related topics, analyzing cases, and brainstorming.

The Peer Support and Learning Unit is based on the SI-PASS (Supplemental Instruction / Peer-Assisted Study Sessions) model, which is widely used in higher education. SI-PASS was first developed in the 1970s at the University of Missouri–Kansas City in the United States and has since gained international recognition, becoming widely adopted in many countries, particularly across Europe. Today, the model is implemented in more than 30 countries and approximately 1,500 universities.

Peer support sessions based on this model consist of small-group study sessions held regularly for selected courses and are designed to support students’ academic achievement.

Students who wish to apply to the Peer Support and Learning Unit should first review the available courses.

Click here to view the students serving in the Unit and the courses they support.

The weekly session schedule for the relevant courses has been prepared according to the available days and times of the student facilitators serving in the Peer Support and Learning Unit. Students can review the schedule below and apply for an available day and time that suits them.

Time slots that become fully booked as a result of applications will be marked in red. Before applying, students must select only available time slots (those not marked in red). Applications submitted for unavailable time slots will not be considered.

Click here to view the weekly schedule.

Students who wish to attend a peer support session on one of the specified days and times must complete the application form below to request an appointment.

Click here to request an appointment.

Application Rules
1) Peer learning sessions are not lectures. They consist of learning-support activities such as solving sample questions and analyzing cases. Homework assistance and private tutoring are not provided.
2) Only students who are currently enrolled in the relevant course or who have previously taken the course but did not successfully complete it may apply for peer support sessions. Applications from students who have not yet taken the course will not be considered.
3) If multiple applications are received for the same day and time, priority will be given to students who have previously taken the relevant course but did not successfully complete it.
4) If all applicants are taking the course for the first time, applications will be evaluated in the order in which they are received.
5) Students may apply for more than one course.
6) Depending on the number of applications, peer support sessions may be organized individually or in small groups of 4–6 students.
7) A maximum of 6 students may participate in each session.
8) Students who are registered for a session are expected to attend. Students who fail to attend without a valid excuse may lose priority in subsequent applications.
9) Students whose applications have been approved must be present at the Department of Informatics building at least 15 minutes before the scheduled session.
10) Each session lasts 40 minutes.

Applications will be evaluated by the coordinators of the Peer Support and Learning Unit, and appropriate sessions will be scheduled accordingly. The evaluation process will take into account the student’s course status, the number of applications received, and the availability of suitable time slots. The results will be sent to the email address provided in the application form.

For further information, questions, comments, or suggestions, please contact us using the information below.

Lect. Cansu ALTUNSABAN YERLİKAYA
Tel: +90 252 211 13 33
Email: cansuyerlikaya@mu.edu.tr