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Home > Peer Instructors
Learning to Teach. Teaching to Learn.
Fall 2008 Peer Instructor applications are no longer available online. To view the application (PDF), click here.
Note: This application requires the newest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader and an active internet connection to submit electronically. Also note that there have been reported problems submitting the application on computers running non-windows based operating systems.
What does it mean to be Peer Instructor?
 FIGS Peer Instructors are committed student leaders who want the experience of planning and leading their own class while serving as mentors to first-year students. Teaching a FIGS comes with a lot of responsibilities, but the rewards are endless!
Based on major or academic interest area, Rutgers juniors or seniors with outstanding academic records (at least 3.0 GPA) are welcome to apply to be Peer Instructors (PI) early in the Spring semester. Once selected, Peer Instructors attend 2 two-day training sessions (May and August) and are provided with the tools to prepare for his/her class. Each seminar is offered once per week, for 10 weeks during the Fall semester only. During the summer, each PI develops his/her own syllabus for FIGS utilizing the 10 required FIGS elements and advice from a faculty mentor. The PI coordinates each class topic, including discussion topics, guest speakers, class trips, etc. Peer Instructors also maintain class records, including attendance and grades, and make final grade recommendations (Pass/No Credit) to the FIGS Program coordinator.
Even more importantly than planning a syllabus and preparing for each class period, Peer Instructors are mentors to first-year students. Much of the time in FIGS is spent aiding students in adjusting to college and understanding the many resources available at Rutgers. This is perhaps the most rewarding aspect of serving as a Peer Instructor.
Amrita Purohit, a former Peer Instructor summarizes her experience of teaching:
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The most memorable part of teaching FIGS was that I was able to pass on information I learned in the last 4 years at Rutgers to freshmen in a fun 10 week course, giving them an edge. My students seemed to appreciate all the information because it was coming directly from someone who was in their shoes just a few years ago. The experience challenged me and gave me a chance to reflect on my undergraduate career. |
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Benefits of being a FIGS Peer Instructor:
- Improved time management and critical thinking skills
- Sharpen your communication skills
- Gain valuable leadership skills that will prepare you for any career
- Serve as a mentor to first-year students
- Make a difference in the Rutgers community
- 3-credits for completing Peer Instructor Education (Fall semester)
Discovery House Peer Instructors
A unique opportunity for up to 8 Peer Instructors involves teaching a section of FIGS expressly for students in the Discovery House program. In its second year, Discovery House is a Living-Learning Community housed on the Livingston campus. Small, select groups of first-year students enjoy the benefits of living together, taking a cluster of 3 classes together (including a FIGS) while making new friends, exploring common interests and being a member of a close community of peers.
Discovery Houses are available in four interest areas: Business, Heath & Medicine, Law & Leadership and Psychology. There are two additional responsibilities for Peer Instructors who volunteer for this program: (1) that you teach FIGS on the Livingston campus and (2) you serve as a member of the mentorship team; providing feedback on student progress and ideas on co-curricular programs for the students to the Learning Communities professional staff on a regular basis. To learn more about Discovery House, click here.
Summer Institutes 1 & 2
Peer Instructors participate in 2 two-day training sessions held in May and August (see dates below). During these sessions you are provided with background and in-depth information on the FIGS Program as well as the tools needed to prepare for your class. You will also spend time getting to know the other Peer Instructors, learning about many university resources for first-year students and sharing ideas on ways to structure your class. Attendance at the Summer Institutes is mandatory for your successful development as a Peer Instructor.
Peer Instructor Education Class
In addition to leading a FIGS for 10 weeks, Peer Instructors must register for and attend Peer Instructor Education (3 credits). This class meets once per week for the entire Fall semester. The course runs during the same semester that the FIGS is taught. Therefore, if selected to be a PI, you must schedule around this class. During Fall 2008 there will be 3 sections of PI Education held tentatively on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 9:50 AM – 11:10 AM on College Avenue. NOTE: You will choose whether you want to register for the Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday section on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition to time spent preparing for your FIGS class each week, you should expect to complete assignments (readings, papers, presentations, etc.) for this course.
Qualifications to be a FIGS Peer Instructor:
- Rutgers University full-time undergraduate student
- Grade point average of 3.0 or higher (at time of application and at the start of Fall 2008)
- An upper-class student (upcoming junior or senior in Fall 2008—at least 54 credits completed)
- Good academic and disciplinary standing at Rutgers University
- Exhibit leadership abilities through campus & community involvement
- Exhibit strong knowledge of the discipline you plan to instruct through your academic and extracurricular pursuits
- A positive attitude about Rutgers and a strong willingness to be a mentor to first-year students
- Demonstrated ability to work well independently and in a team.
- Attendance at all training sessions currently scheduled for:
- Summer Institute I:
- Thursday, May 15 and Friday, May 16 (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
- Summer Institute II:
- Thursday, August 21 and Friday, August 22 (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
- Registration for one section of Peer Instructor Education (01:090:320) in Fall 2008 (either T, W, or Th, 9:50 AM – 11:10 AM). A special permission number will be provided by the FIGS coordinators during the Fall registration period.
For general information about FIGS, please visit either our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) or Contact Us pages.
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