Hannah Mallets Piloting Supplemental Instruction Initiative at Alvernia

2015 Mar 27

Hannah Mallets of O'Fallon, IL, is one of three students piloting a new supplemental instruction initiative at Alvernia University. Mallets is studying Occupational Therapy at Alvernia.

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a new, peer-assisted academic support program at Alvernia University. Students who have earned an A in key courses are assigned to sit-in on the course a second time as an SI Student Leader. These leaders then plan and facilitate up to three, informal study sessions each week for students enrolled in the course.

"Because they are attending classes, SI student leaders are better able to connect with peers and plan study session based on the material that is currently being covered," said Academic Learning Specialist Megan King. "Instead of targeting high-risk students, this initiative targets high-risk courses that are historically difficult for students, such as Anatomy and Physiology."

While students are able to take advantage of one-on-one tutoring sessions in the university's Learning Center, these peer study sessions offer an informal setting in which students can compare notes, discuss readings and classwork, as well as study for tests.

>> Read more about the new SI program at Alvernia