Optimising the first year experience in law : the law peer tutor program at the University of New South Wales

Struggle is the common experience of first year students undertaking a degree in law in tertiary education, both because of the difficulty of adjusting to university study, and the challenging nature of the subject matter. In this article the authors argue that peer-to-peer small group tutoring is a highly effective form of building a community of critically active participants in the University of New South Wales Law School. The purpose of the article is to highlight the significant factors that make it effective from the perspective of the coordinators, the students, and the Law Peer Tutors. First, the philosophies or theory underlying the program are described. Second, how the program is organised and maintained is outlined. Third, data gained over the past five year (2002-2006) is analysed and organised under three headings: confidence through participation; collaboration and caring; and tolerating uncertainty. These three headings focus on three important themes in contemporary debates about education: active learning, learning in terms of building relationships, and approaches to learning content.