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Imagine a large lecture-based general education course. Many times students have questions but are a bit intimidated by the professor and don’t want to voice their question in front of hundreds of other students.

Going to office hours is an option, but how often do you do that and you still have to get over any intimidation or scheduling issues. This course may have a discussion section with a TA, but the TA can be intimidating, too. Often the TA refers to the course materials as being “very straightforward” or “basic.” But the material is anything but “straightforward” or “basic” to you the student. You don’t want to appear dumb, so you don’t ask the professor or TA for help.

So whom do you ask? Many of you will ask a friend or acquaintance in class for help. In your experience do friends give good help? Some occasionally do, but most are as lost or as intimidated as you are or just not that interested or able to help. This is where the Teaching Teams Program comes in. Preceptors are “friends” or peers, who are trained to give good help.

Preceptors do not need to be content experts to facilitate learning. A Preceptor only needs a motivation to learn and help fellow students. Preceptors are kind of an academic version of the personal trainer. If you want to get fit, personal trainers can be very effective in helping you design a fitness plan that is right for your body type and fitness goals. Additionally, by agreeing to meet a personal trainer at a set time at the gym, you are much more likely to make an effort to get out the door, get to the gym and not leave your trainer waiting. A personal trainer can teach you how to do your exercises most effectively but they can’t do the exercises for you. You still have to show up, learn, and do the work to reap the benefits.

Preceptors do the same for academics. Preceptors help students dedicate time and space to learn the course content by hosting study groups, online discussions, and exam review sessions. Preceptors are trained in identifying particular learning styles and adapting study strategies to fit those learning styles. When the preceptor knows your name, can help you study more efficiently, and the study group is waiting for you, most students will learn to get out the door and attend.