Interview, Brendan, Student Leader, Vancouver Island Univ. (CA)

S04-E27 We feature an interview with Sara who is a biology SI leader for the peer study group program at Housatonic Community College in Connecticut. She shares some of the learning activities that were used during the face-to-face and online SI sessions. Sara finishes the interview by sharing what she has learned personally and professionally from her experiences in the program and the friendships that she formed with the SI participants and other SI leaders. The following links allow you to subscribe: iTunes and Apple Podcast, Amazon Music/Audible, Castbox.fm, Deezer, Facebook, Gaana, Google Podcast, iHeartRadio, Player.fm, Radio Public, Samsung Listen, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Twitter, Vurbl, and YouTube. Automatically available through these podcast apps: Castamatic, iCatcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RSSRadio, and more. Please post comments to the podcast website, www.palgroups.org, iTunes and other apps, or email to me, [email protected] You can also check out my other four podcasts and other social media at www.davidmedia.org

S04-E26 We feature an interview with Kristen who is the program manager for the peer study group program at Housatonic Community College in Connecticut. She shares about the rapid growth of the SI program and the challenges faced by implementing it at a two-year institution. Kristen finishes the interview by sharing what she has learned personally and professionally from her experiences in the program and with the SI leaders. In addition to this audio episode, I also provide several PDF documents: first, is an overview of Housatonic Community College and second is an infographic about the peer study group program. Supplemental Instruction programs are less common at two-year institutions than at four-year ones in the U.S. HCC was the first community college in the state of Connecticut to implement SI. It was piloted in the Developmental Studies department and then rapidly expanded throughout the campus due to its early success. In the Community College environment, where it is more difficult to cultivate relationships, this program facilitates this need and creates a support network by encouraging relationships in and out of the classroom. Housatonic Community College’s Supplemental Instruction Program develops academic support communities of higher-level thinkers and self-empowered learners. This self-selecting, course-specific, peer-led program seeks to promote active, collaborative learning involving critical thinking and transferable study skills that leads to a feeling of empowerment to complete their goals toward their Associate Degree and beyond. The following links allow you to subscribe: iTunes and Apple Podcast, Amazon Music/Audible, Castbox.fm, Deezer, Facebook, Gaana, Google Podcast, iHeartRadio, Player.fm, Radio Public, Samsung Listen, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Twitter, Vurbl, and YouTube. Automatically available through these podcast apps: Castamatic, iCatcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RSSRadio, and more. Please post comments to the podcast website, www.palgroups.org, iTunes and other apps, or email to me, [email protected] You can also checkout my other four podcasts and other social media at www.davidmedia.org

S04-E25 We have a conversation with Louisa who is a student study group leader at Florida International University. While she provides academic support for a number of courses, I asked her to focus on one course and why it is challenging for first-year students. Louisa provided insight to why the Organic Course was challenging. She then provides examples of learning activities used during the study sessions. Her comments were similar to other study group leaders who focused on building the self-confidence of the students as a critical attribute for academic success. Louisa completes her story by sharing how she has changed personally as a result of serving as a tutor and study session leader. The following links allow you to subscribe: iTunes and Apple Podcast, Amazon Music/Audible, Castbox.fm, Deezer, Facebook, Gaana, Google Podcast, iHeartRadio, Player.fm, Radio Public, Samsung Listen, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Twitter, Vurbl, and YouTube. Automatically available through these podcast apps: Castamatic, iCatcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RSSRadio, and more. Please post comments to the podcast website, www.palgroups.org, iTunes and other apps, or email to me, [email protected] You can also check out my other four podcasts and other social media at www.davidmedia.org

S04-E24 We have a conversation with Emily who is a student study group leader at Florida International University. This is part three of a four-part series from FIU. We begin our conversation with Emily when she describes her vocational path to becoming a school teacher as a result of her experiences as a tutor, small group study leader, and influence by family members. She then explains how she provides support for several biology courses and a course in research methods in psychology. Emily explains why those courses are historically difficult for many first-year students. She then provides examples of learning activities used during the study sessions. Emily completes her story by sharing how she has changed personally as a result of serving as a tutor and study session leader. The following links allow you to subscribe: iTunes and Apple Podcast, Amazon Music/Audible, Castbox.fm, Deezer, Facebook, Gaana, Google Podcast, iHeartRadio, Player.fm, Radio Public, Samsung Listen, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Twitter, Vurbl, and YouTube. Automatically available through these podcast apps: Castamatic, iCatcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RSSRadio, and more. Please post comments to the podcast website, www.palgroups.org, iTunes and other apps, or email to me, [email protected] You can also check out my other four podcasts and other social media at www.davidmedia.org

S04-E23 Mario is a student study group leader at Florida International University. This is part two of a four-part series from FIU. We begin our conversation with Mario describing his experience as an international student. He describes his journey to becoming a tutor at the institution. Among the topics that Mario is responsible for, he describes why physics is challenging for many students. Careful listening to student needs is a key element to the sophisticated approaches that Mario brings to his study sessions. Mario finishes by explaining the joy that he receives as part of his experience as a tutor and small group session leader. The following links allow you to subscribe: iTunes and Apple Podcast, Amazon Music/Audible, Castbox.fm, Deezer, Facebook, Gaana, Google Podcast, iHeartRadio, Player.fm, Radio Public, Samsung Listen, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Twitter, Vurbl, and YouTube. Automatically available through these podcast apps: Castamatic, iCatcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RSSRadio, and more. Please post comments to the podcast website, www.palgroups.org, iTunes and other apps, or email to me, [email protected] You can also checkout my other four podcasts and other social media at www.davidmedia.orgS04-E23 

S04-E22 We have a conversation with Vicenta who leads the program that hosts the campus tutoring and small study group program at Florida International University. She provided an overview of the academic support program and how it adapted to online services during the COVID pandemic. Then the conversation turns to certification programs that have guided the student support programs. We end our conversation with Vicenta sharing her life journey to her current position at FIU and the lessons she is learning in her doctoral program that will be informing and improving the services offered to the students at FIU. In addition to this audio episode, I also provide a PDF document that provides an overview of Florida International University. The Center for Academic Success (CAS), https://cfas.fiu.edu/ is housed under Academic and Career Success (ACS). Located at both MMC and BBC, the center facilitates the academic advancement of students by providing support in an environment that is conducive to teaching and learning. Students can access tutoring in a variety of subject areas, as well as participate in programs that develop their critical thinking and learning strategies. With a comprehensive approach, services are delivered in person or online via one-on-one sessions, small groups, study halls, or workshops. CAS interacts with undergraduate students at all levels throughout their academic experience; from preparing students before admission to assisting them along the pathway towards graduation. The center fosters constructive relationships between students and tutors, and incorporates high and low-tech tools to enhance learning, improve retention, and promote academic excellence. CAS has plenty of tutors who are able available to help you with your academic needs. Online tutoring is also available. Book a tutoring session today! CAS offers an array of extra credit workshops. Earn a few extra points to your grade and learn how to incorporate vital study skills to get you through semesters to come.. The following links allow you to subscribe: iTunes and Apple Podcast, Amazon Music/Audible, Castbox.fm, Deezer, Facebook, Gaana, Google Podcast, iHeartRadio, Player.fm, Radio Public, Samsung Listen, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Twitter, Vurbl, and YouTube. Automatically available through these podcast apps: Castamatic, iCatcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RSSRadio, and more. Please post comments to the podcast website, www.palgroups.org, iTunes and other apps, or email to me, [email protected] You can also check out my other four podcasts and other social media at www.davidmedia.org

S04-E21 This episode introduces us to Morgan who is a study group leader for the SI program at Alvernia University in Pennsylvania. Morgan shared her experience as a study group leader in a general anatomy and psychology course. Topics of our conversation included how she became a study group leader, reasons that the A and P course was challenging for many first-year students, some of the most effective study group session activities and how she uses Kahn Academy videos during her sessions, some of Morgan’s personal and professional development outcomes as a result of serving as a study group leader, and concludes with a powerful reflection about her experience in college education. To provide some additional context for our interview, I have included several PDF documents. First, an overview of the institution. Second, an overview of the Academic Success Center that hosts the study group program. The final item is an overview of the academic content of an Anatomy course.The following links allow you to subscribe: iTunes and Apple Podcast, Amazon Music/Audible, Castbox.fm, Deezer, Facebook, Gaana, Google Podcast, iHeartRadio, Player.fm, Radio Public, Samsung Listen, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Twitter, Vurbl, and YouTube. Automatically available through these podcast apps: Castamatic, iCatcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RSSRadio, and more. Please post comments to the podcast website, www.palgroups.org, iTunes and other apps, or email to me, [email protected] Check out my other four podcasts and other social media at www.davidmedia.org

S04-E20 This episode introduces us to Brendan who is a study group leader for the SI program at Vancouver Island University in Canada. This is the final part of a series on the VIU program. Brandan shared his experience as a study group leader in two accounting courses. Topics of our conversation included how he became a study group leader, reasons that the accounting courses were challenging for many first-year students, some of the most effective study group session activities, and what some of Brandan’s personal and professional development outcomes as a result of serving as a study group leader. The following links allow you to subscribe: iTunes and Apple Podcast, Amazon Music/Audible, Castbox.fm, Deezer, Facebook, Gaana, Google Podcast, iHeartRadio, Player.fm, Radio Public, Samsung Listen, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Twitter, Vurbl, and YouTube. Automatically available through these podcast apps: Castamatic, iCatcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RSSRadio, and more. Please post comments to the podcast website, www.palgroups.org, iTunes and other apps, or email to me, [email protected] Check out my other four podcasts and other social media at www.davidmedia.org

S04-E19 This episode introduces us to Natasha who is a study group leader for the SI program at Vancouver Island University in Canada. This is part three of a four-part series of the VIU program. Natasha shared her experience as a study group leader in a general psychology course. Topics of our conversation included how she became a study group leader, reasons that the psychology course was challenging for many first-year students, some of the most effective study group session activities, development of confidence by students as a result of the study group experience, and what some of Natasha’s personal and professional development outcomes as a result of serving as a study group leader. The following links allow you to subscribe: iTunes and Apple Podcast, Amazon Music/Audible, Castbox.fm, Deezer, Facebook, Gaana, Google Podcast, iHeartRadio, Player.fm, Radio Public, Samsung Listen, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Twitter, Vurbl, and YouTube. Automatically available through these podcast apps: Castamatic, iCatcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RSSRadio, and more. Please post comments to the podcast website, www.palgroups.org, iTunes and other apps, or email to me, [email protected] Check out my other four podcasts and other social media at www.davidmedia.org  

S04-E18 This episode introduces us to Madelaine who is a study group leader for the SI program at Vancouver Island University in Canada. This is part two of a four-part series of the VIU program. Like many other study group leaders, she reported how she served as a tutor in high school and enjoyed the experience of assisting the teacher. In addition to sharing her two favorite learning activities she used during study sessions, she also shared why they are effective. We had an extended discussion about the use at her institution of a co-curricular record that is part of her transcript. The SI leader experience and the training becomes part of this record. I have heard of similar things at other U.S. institutions, but Madelaine indulged my numerous questions about the record. As I said during the conversation, there are wonderful educational innovations occurring in other countries. The following links allow you to subscribe: iTunes and Apple Podcast, Amazon Music/Audible, Castbox.fm, Deezer, Facebook, Gaana, Google Podcast, iHeartRadio, Player.fm, Radio Public, Samsung Listen, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Twitter, Vurbl, and YouTube. Automatically available through these podcast apps: Castamatic, iCatcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RSSRadio, and more. Please post comments to the podcast website, www.palgroups.org, iTunes and other apps, or email to me, [email protected] Check out my other four podcasts and other social media at www.davidmedia.org