The undergraduate journey is not solely an academic endeavor but a holistic experience, enriched by a tapestry of engagements and interactions. These vital experiences are not just stepping stones to graduation but are, in fact, transformative milestones that shape the individual, readying them for the challenges and opportunities of the professional world.
To delve deeper into this complex paradigm, we have employed an Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Study with a Case-Selection Variant Design. This rigorous approach enables us to achieve a nuanced understanding of the Peer Leader experience within the PLTL (Peer-Led Team Learning) program at FIU (Florida International University).
📊 Research Methodology 📑
Our research participants, comprised solely of Peer Leaders, will engage in two key stages of data collection:
- Survey Research: A quantitative assessment designed to capture a broad spectrum of experiences and skills gained through involvement in PLTL and other extra-collegiate activities.
- Semi-Structured Interviews: Qualitative interviews aimed to provide a deeper, more personalized account of individual experiences, supplementing our survey data.
🎯 Objectives 📈
The overarching aim of this study is multifaceted:
- Skill Mapping: To categorize and evaluate the range of skills that are fostered through different forms of student engagement, particularly within PLTL.
- Engagement vs Employability: To establish empirical correlations between levels of student engagement in PLTL and subsequent employability metrics.
Through this comprehensive exploration, we seek not only to assess but also to enrich the student experience, thereby elevating the overall efficacy and impact of the PLTL program at FIU.