Abstract
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a pedagogy that adopts peer-facilitated academic support approach to increase student performance and retention. It was developed by Dr. Deanna Martin in 1973 at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and was later widely implemented in other tertiary institutes in the United States and around the world. It has been demonstrated that SI is tremendously successful in helping students to construct science knowledge and enhancing students’ problem-solving skills through collaborative learning activities. In light of the learning difficulties in some abstract concepts in biochemistry and molecular biology among students, this project aims to develop the first SI program in the School of Life Sciences (SLS) to enhance students’ performance and to cultivate a collaborative learning environment. Postgraduate students will be engaged to serve as SI leaders of the program. They will be trained to facilitate students’ learning in small groups with the use of latest virtual reality (VR) technologies developed by the project team. The SI model recommended by the International Center for Supplemental Instruction (ICSI) will be adopted with modifications to cater for leaners’ diversity in the selected courses. This SI program will be supervised by two accredited SI supervisors.
Brief write-up
Project objectives
This project aims at developing the first Supplemental Instruction programme in the School of Life Sciences to enhance students’ performance and to cultivate a collaborative learning environment.
Activities, process and outcomes
A Supplemental Instruction programme (SI) was designed to enhance the effectiveness of teaching and learning in historically difficult courses. In this project, the SI program was implemented in selected lecture and laboratory courses after consultation with academic staff in the School. All teaching activities were supported by the Virtual Reality (VR) learning tools and guided by two trained supervisors. The programme adopts a non-remedial approach to learning that supports students toward academic success by integrating “what to learn” with “how to learn.” The SI programme consists of regularly scheduled, voluntary, out-of-class group study sessions driven by students’ needs. Sessions are facilitated by trained SI leaders who utilize collaborative activities to ensure peer-to-peer interaction in small groups.
Deliverables and evaluation
The major deliverable of this project is a Supplemental Instruction programme that engages postgraduate students. The program was evaluated through focus group meetings and questionnaires surveys.
Dissemination, diffusion, impact and sharing of good practices
The Supplemental Instruction Programme were disseminated in education conference, workshops and sharing sessions.
Impact on teaching and learning
This project demonstrated an exemplary use of VR technologies to train postgraduates and facilitate the learning of laboratory skills. The SI program managed to enhance students’ performance and to cultivate a collaborative learning environment in large class courses.
