COOPERATIVE LEARNING-SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION (SI) & STRUCTURED LEARNING ASSISTANCE (SLA)

Central Arizona College

Tutor Training 2010

By Tem Fuller&Pamela Johnston

WHAT IS COOPERATIVE LEARNING?

Simply put, cooperative learning consists of students working together in a small group setting, collaborating with one another over course material and class concepts

The goal of cooperative learning is to “empower students to become independent learners.”

Valkenburg, J. (2007). “Roles and Responsibilities: Small Group Facilitation.” Delta College: ATP Winter Workshop.

CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE AND NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY

THE GENERAL GOALS OF COOPERATIVE LEARNING ARE:

To reduce course withdrawal/failure rates To increase the number of students who pass

some of the most challenging and highest risk-for-failure college courses.

THE GOALS OF COOPERATIVE LEARNING ARE: To coordinate classroom instruction and

study time. To inspire students to work with creativity

and imagination. To help students develop skills for

independent learning. To help with study skills and time

management. ...

Wiggins, G., & McTighe, J. (2001). Understanding by design. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458: Prentice-Hall.

WHAT IS SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION (SI)?

A form of cooperative learning developed by the University of Missouri at Kansas City

Usually offered for courses at high risk of failure Facilitators are students who have successfully

completed the class Facilitators are recommended by faculty

members who teach the course Students are not required to attend the SI Students meet outside of class

Valkenburg, J. (2007). “Roles and Responsibilities: Small Group Facilitation.” Delta College: ATP Winter Workshop.

WHAT IS STRUCTURED LEARNING ASSISTANCE (SLA)?

A form of cooperative learning similar to the SI model

Scheduled in conjunction with a class Students are required to attend if their grade

drops below a certain level Students sign a contract at the beginning of

the class stating that they are aware of the SLA requirements

Facilitator must take attendance

Valkenburg, J. (2007). “Roles and Responsibilities: Small Group Facilitation.” Delta College: ATP Winter Workshop.

AT THE END OF THIS PRESENTATION

You will work in small groups to design a short classroom presentation about Supplemental Instruction.

You will have less than 5 minutes to advertise SI in classroom during the Orientation to the Learning Center.

Think about the best way to attract students to the Learning Center to participate in small study groups.

OUR EXPERIENCE WITH STRUCTURED LEARNING ASSISTANCE

INSTRUCTORS AND TUTORS COLLABORATE2005 - 2010

COOPERATIVE LEARNING

The Learning Centers at CAC have a long history of working together with faculty members on collaborative learning projects .

Instructors design and develop activities related to content objectives.

Tutors design and facilitate activities related to learning objectives.

FORMAL AND INFORMAL STUDY GROUPS

How would you describe an Informal Study Group?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of an Informal Study Group?

Please, describe a Formal Study Group? What are the advantages and disadvantages

of a Formal Study Group?

GUEST SPEAKING

SI LEADERS

The SI leaders should be skilled with:

•Course Content

•Learning Strategies

•Cooperative Learning Methods

Levels of Learning Essential/Socratic Questions

 

The student can explain Why is that so? What is the explanation of such phenomenon or

events? How does this work? What is implied? How can we prove it?

The student or group of students can

interpret the task from different points of

view

What does it mean? Why does it matter? How does it relate to my

learning and life? Does it make sense?

The student can apply the knowledge

effectively in new situations. This means that

the student is a masterful transforming

learner.

How and where can I use this knowledge? What analogy with our

previous study would work for this problem? How should my

thinking be modified to meet the demands of this particular situation?

The student can think from different points

of view and explain the event by changing

the perspective.

From which vantage point? What is assumed or tacit that needs to be

made explicit and considered?

Ability to explain the problem to others

(empathy)

How does it seem to you? What do they see that I don't? What does

the teacher mean by saying…?

Meta-cognition How can I work this problem? What are my blind spots? What am I

prone to misunderstand? Is this my preferable learning style?(Wiggins and McTighe, 2001)

META-COGNITIVE APPROACH

The LearnersThe Learners The Tutor

The AssignmentThe Assignment

How do they think?How do they feel? How would they act?How do I feel and think? What can I do better than before?

ANALYZE YOUR ACTIONS AS A TUTOR

Record all group sessions that you consider important

Share stories with other tutors in relation to study groups you facilitate

Ask for a second opinion about all difficult study group sessions

Be aware of your limitations

HINTS

Practice Critical Thinking Record your work Reflect after each session Record your reflections Help with innovative materials for tutoring

Learn the organizational structure of the Learning Support system

Coordinate your Supplemental Instruction with your supervisor

Any questions?

SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION

This clip is a fast introduction to Supplemental Instruction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=573thEFFJDo&feature=related

Imagine that you are advertising an SI informal study group in your first classroom orientation.

How would you advertise this form of academic support?

RESOURCESThe International Center for Supplemental

Instruction. (n.d.). University of Missouri - Kansas City. Retrieved August 15, 2010, from Other SI Programs : http://www.umkc.edu/cad/si/programs.shtml

Valkenburg, J. (2007). “Roles and Responsibilities: Small Group Facilitation.” Delta College: ATP Winter Workshop.

Wiggins, G., & McTighe, J. (2001). Understanding by design. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458: Prentice-Hall.

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=573thEFFJDo&feature=related