Investigation of Facilitated Study Groups, Past and Future

1. Investigation of Facilitated Study Groups, Past and Future Kenneth A. Rath Alan R. Peterfreund Manuel D. Matos SageFox Consulting Group, Amherst MA Data funded by: NIH MORE R.E.S.U.L.T.S. (Research and Evaluation of Students Using Long-Term Studies); NIH Grant #RFA-GM-03-011; Simeon Slovacek P.I., Alan Peterfreund, Co-P.I.

2. Facilitated Study Groups Supplemental Instruction Peer-Led Team Learning Emerging Scholars Workshops Academic Excellence Workshops And others too…

3. Characteristics of FSGs • Support difficult course • Held at regular times • Supplemental, not remedial • Usually peer-led • Students may be targeted or participation may be open • Typically focus on cooperative learning

4. Typical OutcomesFrom the literature and our research • Increased performance in supported class • Higher rates of taking subsequent classes • Greater persistence in major • Higher graduation rates • Usually impacts student groups equally

5. Our Data

6. Differences Between Institutions NMSU Data courtesy of Glenn Kuehn and Nina Javaher

7. Differences Between Courses

8. Differences Between Groups

9. Differences Between Semesters

10. Differences in Activities Data are from 13 facilitators at UMass Boston, Bunker Hill CC, and Wentworth Institute of Technology

11. What factors lead to differences in outcomes?

12. Impacts on FSG Outcomes Institutional Structure Facilitator Factors FSG Outcomes FSG Session Factors Student Population Supported Course

13. Impacts on FSG Outcomes Factors Associated with the FSGs Institutional Structure Facilitator Factors FSG Outcomes FSG Session Factors Student Population Supported Course

14. Impacts on FSG Outcomes Institutional Structure Facilitator Factors FSG Outcomes FSG Session Factors Student Population Supported Course Factors Independent of the FSGs

15. Impacts on FSG Outcomes Institutional Structure • FSG offered for credit or not • Recruitment activities • Targeted students • Expectations for attendance Facilitator Factors FSG Outcomes FSG Session Factors Student Population Supported Course

16. Impacts on FSG Outcomes Institutional Structure • Facilitator education level • Experience with material • Training • History as a facilitator Facilitator Factors FSG Outcomes FSG Session Factors Student Population Supported Course

17. Impacts on FSG Outcomes Institutional Structure • Location and time • Activities and their frequency • Fidelity to model Facilitator Factors FSG Outcomes FSG Session Factors Student Population Supported Course

18. Impacts on FSG Outcomes Institutional Structure • Gender • Race / ethnicity • Educational experience • Majors • Age • Previous course performance • Standardized test scores • Motivation for success Facilitator Factors FSG Outcomes FSG Session Factors Student Population Supported Course

19. Impacts on FSG Outcomes Institutional Structure • Content • Pedagogy • Assessment metrics • Connection of instructor • to FSG Facilitator Factors FSG Outcomes FSG Session Factors Student Population Supported Course

20. Impacts on FSG Outcomes • Student • Performance in course • Taking subsequent courses • Staying in STEM major • Receiving degree Institutional Structure Facilitator Factors FSG Outcomes FSG Session Factors • Facilitator • Skill improvement • Understanding of education Student Population • Instructor • Changes in teaching • Awareness of student issues • Connection to program Supported Course

21. Impacts on FSG Outcomes • 23 different factors • 9 different outcomes • Requires multiple variable analysis design

22. Research Questions What factors lead to differences in outcomes? Which are associated with better outcomes for URM students? Which are associated with better outcomes for different courses?

23. Research Strategy • Multiple institutions • Both two- and four-year institutions • Multiple models for FSGs • Common courses • Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math • Unit of analysis is FSG section

24. Data Collection Institutional Structure Student Outcomes Facilitator Factors Site visits with interviews of key personnel Facilitator Outcomes FSG Session Factors Instructor Outcomes Student Population Supported Course

25. Data Collection Institutional Structure Student Outcomes Facilitator Factors Student surveys within FSGs Facilitator Outcomes FSG Session Factors Instructor Outcomes Student Population Supported Course

26. Data Collection Institutional Structure Student Outcomes Facilitator Factors Student surveys within supported classes Facilitator Outcomes FSG Session Factors Instructor Outcomes Student Population Supported Course

27. Data Collection Institutional Structure Student Outcomes Facilitator Factors Facilitator surveys Facilitator Outcomes FSG Session Factors Instructor Outcomes Student Population Supported Course

28. Data Collection Institutional Structure Student Outcomes Facilitator Factors Course instructor surveys Facilitator Outcomes FSG Session Factors Instructor Outcomes Student Population Supported Course

29. Data Collection Institutional Structure Student Outcomes Facilitator Factors Course syllabi Facilitator Outcomes FSG Session Factors Instructor Outcomes Student Population Supported Course

30. Data Collection Institutional Structure Student Outcomes Facilitator Factors FSG activity checklist Facilitator Outcomes FSG Session Factors Instructor Outcomes Student Population Supported Course

31. Data Collection Institutional Structure Student Outcomes Facilitator Factors Institutional data Facilitator Outcomes FSG Session Factors Instructor Outcomes Student Population Supported Course

32. Challenges of the DesignMostly Budget-Driven • Number of institutions • Number of courses • Duration of study • Logistical support • Motivating participants