The ABCs of the History of PLTL Implementation at Washington University
in St. Louis

Harvey Fields 

Washington University in St. Louis 

Abstract 

Peer-Led-Team-Learning (PLTL) is a long-running, highly successful academic support program fully embedded in select course pedagogy at Washington University (WashU.) in St. Louis.  This paper’s title, The ABCs of the History of PLTL at Washington University in St. Louis, is intentional and the “ABCs” themselves convey the core elements that have contributed to the tremendous success of PLTL at WashU, and to the integration of PLTL into STEM academic culture at WashU – “A” for Attitude; “B” for Behavior; and “C” for Collegiality.  However, the most impactful element associated with the success of PLTL at WashU is the final letter in the “ABCs” string – the “s”.  Though not capitalized, the “s” is arguably the most critically important component in the history, and in the efficacy and effectiveness, of PLTL at WashU.  The small “s” represents serendipity. 

Keywords: Peer-Led-Team Learning (PLTL), Serendipity, Attitude, Behavior, Collegiality, academic mentoring, student services, WashU 

Recommended Citation 

Fields, H. (2022). The ABCs of the History of PLTL Implementation at Washington University in St. Louis. Advances in Peer-Led Learning, 2, 17-29. Online at https://doi.org/10.54935/apll2022-01-03-17