Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) - The Learning Center

Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) is a model of collaborative learning that supplements large lecture courses, typically in science and mathematics. In PLTL, 8-10 students work together on a packet designed to develop course-relevant problem-solving skills in a study group facilitated by a Peer Leader. At Washington University, PLTL was introduced in General Chemistry in 2001 and was introduced for Calculus I in Fall 2004. PLTL for Calculus II followed in Spring 2005 and PLTL for Calculus III was first offered in Fall 2007. PLTL for Physics 197/198 began in the 2018/19 academic year and will continue for Physics 191/192.

Research on PLTL at Washington University has contributed to a growing body of scholarship demonstrating its effectiveness in improving student learning. Insights drawn from this research inform the ongoing improvement of PLTL programs here and around the country.

For more information about the motivation behind PLTL, visit https://circle.wustl.edu/projects/peer-led-team-learning/philosophy/

What Students Say About the Program

The PLTL program was extremely beneficial because I could ask questions about problems that I didn’t understand and someone would be able to help me in a way that I could understand easily
Anonymous / PLTL student

It provided me with practice I probably would not have done otherwise and introduced me to problem-solving strategies I did not know.
Anonymous / PLTL student

The environment we had set up where we worked through the problems together, and then if anyone didn’t understand something, we remained on that problem and helped them until they got it. Also, if there was a problem that stumped us all, we all worked together suggesting different ideas to try to figure it out.
Anonymous / PLTL student

I enjoyed how friendly my PLTL leader was and how willing other kids were to help me out.
Anonymous / PLTL student

Learn more about the program...

PLTL application procedure

Applications for PLTL groups are submitted online starting on the first day of class during the Fall and Spring semesters. Students in Calculus, Chemistry and Physics will be provided with sign-up instructions and deadlines via email, Canvas and in-class announcements.

The application for Spring 2023 will open on Tuesday, January 17 at 12:00 PM and close on Friday, January 20 at 1:00 PM.

How to participate in PLTL

The application for Spring 2023 will be posted here and will open the first week of classes. The form will also be available via links on the Canvas sites for Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III, Intro Gen Chem I, Gen Chem I and Physics I.

Students should complete the application before 1pm on Friday for priority placement.
Students who contact the program directors after that time may be put on a waitlist and placed into groups if spots become available, depending on the program.
Each program has different rules and/or deadlines for processing late additions.

Apply to be a PLTL leader

Invitations to apply for PLTL Leader positions will be sent out in January. Students who have participated in PLTL and have demonstrated success in a relevant course and are interested in developing leadership skills in an academic setting are encouraged to apply. Application review, interviews and selection will be completed during the spring semester. Apply to be a PLTL Leader!

The people behind PLTL at Washington University

Instructors (Leader Training)

Chemistry: Megan Daschbach, Taylor Pottgen, Ashley Schuman
Mathematics: Jan-Li Lin
The Learning Center: Andrew Collings
Physics: Augusto Medeiros de Rosa

Past Collaborators

CIRCLE/Chemistry: Gina Frey
Chemistry: Susan Hocking, Sarah Luesse, Gaby Mirowitz, Thomas Bakupog
Cornerstone: Harvey Fields, Karen DeAngelis
The Learning Center: Jay Sriram
Mathematics: Lisa Kuehne, Blake Thornton, Kendra Smith, Silas Johnson
Physics: Jason Woods, Siera Stoen, Nicole Hudson, Sheila Munsell, Rob Vittoe, Jay Schroeder
The Teaching Center: Patrick Brown, Mitch Kundel, Bryn Lutes

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