SLAMs kickstart 2010

In 2010, there are a record number of students volunteering as Student Learning Advisor Mentors (SLAMs).

SLAMs is an organisation of students who volunteer their time to support other students within RMIT University’s College of Business.

The service is free and provides study help for 14 Business courses, mainly in first and second year.

SLAMs offer study tips, advise students on how to go about answering coursework and assist students to become “self-managed” learners.

Students who volunteer as a SLAM have very positive feedback about the program.

Benefits include meeting new people, the satisfaction of helping others and giving back to the RMIT community and improved time management and communication skills.

SLAMs receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Business), and may qualify to receive an RMIT LEAD Certificate, both of which are valuable when seeking employment.

In order to qualify as a SLAM, students must have achieved a High Distinction or Distinction in the specified courses. SLAMs undergo two hours of training to ensure they can effectively fulfill their role.

In 2009 the RMIT Teaching Award for Services Supporting Student Learning was awarded to the SLAMs Coordinators.

The award recognised the development of a whole college peer mentoring program that supports first-year and commencing students in their academic learning and transition into tertiary education at RMIT.

The SLAMs program is pleased to be in the running for the 2010 Australian Learning and Teaching Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning.

Eveline Fallshaw, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor, Learning and Teaching, in the College of Business, has been proud to sponsor the development of the SLAMs program since 2005.

“It is well documented that the first semester at university can be challenging for many students as they transition from high school, come here from another country, or return to study after a period away,” she said.

“SLAMs assists many students, both local and international, to achieve success in their studies. Over the past five years, many students who have received help from mentors have returned to become mentors themselves, a true indication of the success of this program.

“Come and seek help from a SLAM and I hope to see you back as a SLAM next year!”

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