SI, SLA, and YOU Your guide to CSU’s two new

services for students.

What are SI and SLA?

Required Attendance

Mandatory based on assessment – 70% or lower

Built into the course structure and student schedule

Student peer leader attends class session

Leader facilitates review session

Supplemental Instruction Structured Learning Assistance

Voluntary Attendance

Sessions are at varied times

SI and SLA target courses…

High enrollment

Low student success

Fewer than 25% of the students enrolled in the previous year earned a C or better.

Our History

Supplemental Instruction

Fall 2008…12 attempted - 9 succeeded

Spring 2009…30 attempted - 27 succeeded

Fall 2009… 50 SI Sessions Attempted

Structured Learning Assistance

Spring 2009… SLA launched with 3 sections

2 were successful

Fall 2009…10 SLA Sessions Attempted

Fall 2009 SI/SLA Courses

BIOLOGY 106* and 200 (SLA) CHEMISTRY 161* and 261* ENGLISH 101 (SLA) GEOLOGY 100* MATH 87, 88, 116, 117*, 127*, 147*, 151*,

154*, 167, 168, 181, 182 (6 courses SLA) PSYCHOLOGY 101 SPANISH 101 and 102

Rationale:  Collaborative learning promotes critical thinking:

- discussion- clarification of ideas- evaluation of others’ ideas

The SI and SLA programs focus on students working with classmates

(*2.5 times more efficient than studying alone)

THE LEADER ROLE

Not a TA! – a model student (takes notes & attends class)

Hold 2-3 SI sessions/week / (1 hour in length)* Attend all trainings and staff meetings Prepare for SI sessions (2 hours of prep) Communicate regularly with the professor/instructor. Collect data, attendance, and other assessment

information and submit weekly update 

THE FACULTY ROLE

Communicate with Leader prior to Semester Obtain textbook Add SI / SLA information to syllabus Add Leader to Blackboard Remind students to attend – OFTEN Pass out end of semester evaluations Attend an occasional meeting

THE SUPERVISOR ROLE

Conduct training sessions prior to semester Hold meetings throughout semester Evaluate sessions/ongoing training End of semester evaluations Data collection Communicate with faculty Oversee daily operations / Assign space

WHEN SHOULD FACULTY NOTIFY THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR?  

Whenever any issues or problems should arise.

Leader missed class – no prior notification

Leader is excessively late for class

CALL or EMAIL Christine – as soon as possible

Benefits to students

Acquire study skills Organization More time on task Prepared for Exams Higher Course Grades Learning Network Collaboration Independent Learners

Benefits to faculty

Early feedback

Improved student interaction

Higher Student Success Rates / Continue Sequence

Improved Understanding

Work closely with and mentor top students

Benefits to University

Higher Graduation Rates Lower rates of D’s & F’s –

Withdrawals Faculty Development Sense of Community Bridge gap with student

ability levels Cost efficient academic

support State Subsidy has been removed for any student that withdraws from a class at any point or receives an “F.”

WHAT IF A STUDENT CANNOT ATTEND ANY OF THE SESSIONS?   Tutoring & Academic Success Center

(TASC)

MC 401

The student can receive 1:1 or small group tutoring at a time that fits his or her schedule.

MARKETING

The faculty plays a key role in marketing the sessions: Add SI/SLA description to the syllabus Add the leader’s name & email to syllabus Post on Blackboard Announce in Class

TO GIVE OR NOT TO GIVE

How are grades impacted?- Giving bonus points to students who attend is at

your discretion

- With SLA – students are required to attend if their assessment score is below at or below 70%

SOME POINTERS

Leader/Faculty mini meetings are crucial for good teamwork and communication.

If you cannot teach a class, please cancel class but mention the Leader is available during the time.

Do not expect the leader to teach class in your absence

What is SLA?

HOW DOES SLA WORK? First day of class: - Explain Program

- Students sign attendance policy(submit one copy / keep other )

Week one: - All students attend SLA session- Assessment given to determine competency

Week two:- Results are given back to the student- “Baseline” Scores determine mandatory/voluntary

HOW DOES SLA WORK?

Assessment

Student Scores above70%

Student Scores below 70%

Encouraged to attendSLA Session Mandatory SLA

HELPFUL TIPS

Works best with several “mini assessments” Communicate with leader weekly to discuss:

- attendance issues- grades- progress / planning

Follow up with students who exhibit attendance issues

ITEMS TO CONSIDER What is the baseline grade? What are consequences for missing SLA if

required to be there?- Does student fail course- Does student drop a letter grade

Will points be added for students who attend but don’t need to?

CAUTION:

Give assessments right away

Avoid lag time between taking test and returning results (make up exams)

Get excuses for student absences in writing

Demonstrate consistency with leader

ANY QUESTIONS? ANY COMMENTS?