Supplemental Instruction

07F

Final Report

Supplemental Instruction Overview:

Supplemental Instruction is an academic support program that uses peer assisted study sessions to process course content in peer led groups. SI is led by trained student leaders, modeling how to learn with what to learn.
Students develop essential study skills using the content and materials from the course being facilitated.

Cumulative Grade Comparison- 1998-2006

Course Roster for 07F:

NUR 109- Fundamentals

NUR 112- Pharmacology

MAT 201- Calculus

CHE 111- Gen. College Chemistry

ENG 121-ITOP1- English Composition

ENG 121-ITOP2- English Composition

Nursing Fundamental and Pharmacology students report SI sessions were “”very helpful”. Calculus sessions were very well attended as were ENG 121 ITOP sections. Feedback was positive from all groups.

Courses attempted, which had limited participation and did not continue:
BIO 111, BIO 201, BIO 202, MAT 103

Formative Assessment:

SI grade comparisons have been compiled since 1998 and show a steady rate of approximately one full grade point difference between participating students and non-participants. SI is a proven retention tool, which builds study skills and helps students retain course concepts. SI integrates higher order thinking skills and improved reading levels into students’ skill sets as they learn and prepare for exams.

This year, SI focused on support for students in nursing courses; biology and nursing science and math pre-requisites, as well as ENG 121 ITOP, chemistry and calculus. SI goal for ENG ITOP students is to have the majority finish the course with a grade of at least 2.3 (74%) as written in Student Support Services grant goals for 2003-2004.

Challenges-

Careful matching of SI leader with instructors is imperative for functional sessions-
All BIO section start-ups failed this semester because of a personality conflict between Leader and students/instructors. Action was taken quickly to replace mismatched Leader and re-start was attempted, but most students opted for one-to-one tutoring support instead of trying an SI group with a new Leader. Same leader was selected for NURS courses, so re-start was necessary for those courses, too. Fortunately, more students were willing to try an SI group again, although we anticipate better participation next semester when services will be uninterrupted.

SI has evolved at TSJC

Students have come to know that SI targets TSJC’s toughest courses, and participation in an SI lab becomes a badge of honor. SI builds community and academic support in the best possible way. Students become soldiers in the trenches, and learn as a team! Every year as we look at program results, there are many factors to consider. Each lab group is different, and we often include narrative explanation of anomalous results.

SI and Retention:

Supplemental Instruction is proving to be an effective vehicle for reducing the rate at which academically at-risk students withdraw from college level courses.

In its 8^th year, the SI program has a reputation for being a consistent tool for academic support, and an excellent way to explore study skills in the context of reviewing course content.