Abstract:
This chapter examines the University of Oregon’s math homework help program, which is
entirely staffed by students working for the Libraries. These student employees, called
Mathletes, provide drop-in homework help for all underclass mathematics courses in the reading
room of the Math Library. The program has proved successful, with patron participation far
exceeding initial projections. However, the real success of the program has been what the
Mathletes themselves have gained as peer to peer instructors, through meaningful work
experience and a supportive community. We will describe our training process, which
emphasizes leadership, mentoring and problem solving throughout. In order to ascertain the
benefits of peer-assisted learning on the Mathletes, we conducted a qualitative and quantitative
survey assessment of our program. Results of this assessment reveal that the work has meaning
above and beyond the amount that students earn as an hourly wage. Finally, providing this
program has been a wonderful way to connect to both an academic department that can be
difficult to serve and the greater UO community.