Supplemental Instruction in the
Canadian Context
Glen Jacobs and Maureen Hurley, International Centre for Supplemental
Instruction, University of Missouri at Kansas City
Michelle Baulch, Carleton University
Vivian Fayowski, University of Northern British Columbia
Elizabeth Templeman, Thompson Rivers University
Mary Wilson, University of Guelph
Context Matters
1.
2.
3.
Institutional Characteristics
Adaptations
Outcomes
Carleton University
comprehensive university (undergraduate, masters and
doctorate)
located in Ottawa, Ontario population ~350,000
23,000 full and part-time students in over 100 programs
2,623 living in residence
University of Guelph
comprehensive university (undergraduate, masters and
doctorate)
located in Guelph, ON population ~130,000
18,000 full and part-time students in over 100 programs
5,000 living in residence
Thompson Rivers University
comprehensive university (undergraduate and masters)
located in Kamloops, BC, population ~85,000
15,000 full and part-time students in over 100 programs
900 living in residence
University of Northern British Columbia
Small, research intensive university (primarily undergraduate)
located in Prince George, BC population ~83,000
4,000 full and part-time students in six thematic academic
clusters
536 living in residence on Prince George campus
Program Structure
Carleton
(since 1999)
Guelph
(since 1998)
TRU
(since 2003)
UNBC
(since 2002)
Location
Student Academic
Success Centre
Learning Commons
Student Affairs
Learning Skills Centre
Program
Funding
Student Support
Services and Deans
Library and Academic
Affairs
University
Enhancement Funds
and Deans
Learning Skills Centre
and Programs
Program
Staffing
1 1.0 FTE
Coordinator
1 10 hr/week workstudy data entry clerk
for fall and winter
1 1.0 FTE Manager
1 .8 FTE Supervisor
Access to 1.0 FTE
Administrative
Assistant
1 10 hr/week workstudy data entry clerk
1 .75 FTE
Coordinator
1 .05 FTE Support
Staff
1 .4 FTE supervisor
some access to
support staff
student assistant
supervisor
Courses with SI
Carleton
(34 sections of 23
1st, 2nd and 3rd year
courses)
Guelph
(37 sections of 16
1st and 2nd year
courses)
TRU
(30 sections of 11
courses; increasing
next year)
UNBC
(10 sections of 7
courses
courses
Business, Chemistry,
Economics,
Engineering, Film,
Geography, Law,
Political Science,
Psychology, Social
Work, Sociology
Accounting,
Biochemistry,
Calculus, Chemistry,
Computer Science,
Economics,
Genetics, History,
Philosophy, Physics,
Psychology,
Statistics
Business, Chemistry,
Economics,
Geography, History,
Philosophy
Math, Physics,
Computer Science,
Forestry, Economics,
Geography, Political
Science
selection
criteria
Traditional UMKC
and some faculty
requests
Traditional UMKC as
chosen by members
of the Vice-President
Academic’s Council
Traditional UMKC
and some faculty
requests
Traditional UMKC
and some faculty or
department requests
best and
worst
Varies year to year,
but mathematics
typically worst.
Varies semester to
semester, but
mathematics typically
worst.
Varies semester to
semester.
First year Math
service courses best
and Economics is
typically worst.
SI Leaders
Carleton
Guelph
TRU
UNBC
numbers
18-20
35-40
12
12-16
recruitment
mail, word-of-mouth
Peer Helper program,
word-of-mouth, mail, email, faculty
faculty, word-of-mouth
Faculty, leaders, tutors
and students
training
2 days pre-service, 2
days in-service, regular
observations done by
peers and coordinator
4 days pre-service, 8
hours in-service, 1 peer
or supervisor session
observation/semester
2.5 days pre-service,
monthly in-service,
weekly observation and
feedback
1 day pre-service, weekly
in service for 1 month,
then bi-weekly in service,
regular observation
remuneration
$2400/semester
$600/semester
$1300/semester
$1040/semester
credit
No.
Yes.
No, but it is a goal.
No, but it is a goal.
perks
small, shared office
early registration
reference letters
social events
large, well-equipped
private workroom and
access to offices
reference letters
social events and food
office and equipment
reference letters
semester
luncheon/party
reference letters and
certificates
semester social events
resource room and
equipment
seniority
Yes – weekly meetings,
session observations and
help with training.
Yes – formal mentoring
and help with training.
Yes – weekly meetings,
session observations and
help with training.
Yes – mentoring, session
observations and help
with supervision.
Program Evaluation
Carleton
Guelph
TRU
UNBC
timing
annually
mid-semester and
annually
mid-semester and
annually
annually
participation
weekly attendance
patterns
weekly attendance
patterns
weekly attendance
patterns
weekly attendance
patterns
grade
performance
attendance x
course grade
attendance x
course grade
controlling for high
school GPA
attendance x
course grade
attendance x
course grade
controlling for high
school GPA
performance by
frequency of
attendance
attendance x
course grade
attendance x
course grade
controlling for high
school GPA
attendance x
course grade
attendance x
course grade
controlling for high
school GPA
retention
no
no
no
no
qualitative
yes
yes
no
yes
audience
SI Leaders, Course
Instructors, Chairs,
Deans, AVP/Provost
and Director.
SI Leaders, Course
Instructors, Chairs,
Deans, Directors,
and V.P.’s.
SI Leaders, Course
Instructors, Chairs,
Deans, AVP and VP
Academic and the
funding committee.
SI Leaders,
Coordinator,
Instructors, Chairs,
Deans and VP
Academic.
Carleton University
Final Grades and SI Participation
Carleton University PASS Program, 2004-2005
35
30
30
Percentage of Students
28.5
25
21.9
21.3
21.7
20
15.3
15
15.3
13.2
13.2
10.1
10
5.3
5
4.2
0
A
B
C
D
Final Letter Grade
SI
Non-SI
F
W
University of Guelph
Final Grades Across all Courses Fall 2005 to Winter 2006
30%
P e r c e n ta g e o f S tu d e n ts
25%
27%
25%
20%
19%
21%
23%
20%
18%
15%
15%
14%
10%
7%
6%
5%
4%
0%
A
SLG Group
B
Non-SLG Group
C
D
Final Letter Grade
F
W
Thompson Rivers University
TRU Final Grades Across all Courses 2004/2005
Percentage of Students
45%
40%
31.2%
35%
33.3%
30.3%
30%
22.0%
22.0%
25%
20%
15%
6.9%
3.0%
10%
5%
10.9%
8.1%
4.8%
4.3%
0%
A
SI
B
non-SI
C
D
Final Letter Grade
F
W
A Few Words of Wisdom…
Start small with 1-2 courses and 3-6 leaders.
Get trained by attending the UMKC training workshop.
Find allies to build high level supporters on campus.
Talk numbers, not politics—let the data make your case.
Choose the right courses and find faculty who are
supportive.
Choose the right leaders because good leaders make all
the difference.
Follow the SI model.
Be flexible to make it fit your institution.