Lessons that I have learned from students in peer study groups

Abstract

I have taught history courses and worked in academic assistance programs for the past 12 years at both the community college and four-year college level. I helped to introduce the Freshman Seminar at three institutions during that time. I have used a variety of strategies with students to help improve their academic performance. For the past six years I have worked with the Supplemental Instruction program, a program that works with forming student-led study groups that meet outside of class. It is on the basis of my observations and research with SI that I have some things to share this evening. Rather than a presentation filled with statistics, it will be illustrated by comments from both student leaders and student participants in student-led out-of-class discussion groups.