Guided Study Sessions

Program Overview

The Guided Study Session (GSS) Program offers FREE, regularly scheduled study sessions for traditionally difficult courses. Based on the Supplemental Instruction model (SI), weekly 50-minute sessions are held using a collaborative learning process. Attend once or attend every session, The choice is up to you, but our data suggests that the more you attend, the higher your final grade will be in the course.

Courses Supported by GSS:

Chemistry 131, 231, 241, 271
Biology 105, 207

Who are the Leaders

GSS sessions are facilitated by leaders, undergraduate students who have previously taken the course and demonstrated academic competency in the subject area. GSS leaders will share their approach to success in the course and help the groups to review lecture material, work through homework and problem-solving exercises and review for exams.

SI YouTube Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=573thEFFJDo

Contact:

Wendy Wilson
Director, Learning Assistance Service
wwilson1@umd.edu
301-314-7693

Schedule

Fall 2009

GSS Student Information

Why should you attend GSS?

• Nationally, GSS participants have significantly lower rates of "D/F/W" than do non-participants.
• Students who participate in this form of supplemental instruction receive class grades higher than those who do not participate.
• Small, peer-run study groups provide students the opportunity to review, practice and study the course material. GSS can help you to learn how to learn the material.
• If you have questions that do not get answered during class, GSS provides you with another opportunity to ask questions and prepare for exams.

What Courses are supported by GSS?

• Check out the current schedule at GSS Schedule. Don't see your course on the list? Ask your instructor about the possibility of having GSS for your course or contact the LAS office.

What should I bring to a GSS session?

• Bring your questions, textbook, class notes, syllabus and any homework assignments. Your GSS leader will typically prepare materials for your session as well. These might include practice quizzes, partial outlines, process diagrams, test preparation worksheets, etc.

GSS Information for Leaders

Role of the GSS Leader:

GSS leaders serve as "model students." GSS leaders

• Attend class, read assignments, complete homework.
• Structure sessions to encourage group learning and student interaction.
• Encourage students to take advantage of resources to be successful in the course (faculty, TA, textbooks, etc.).
• Assist students in learning to learn the course material.
• Model appropriate learning strategies and techniques to help you be successful in the course.

GSS Leaders have:

• An interest in helping others.
• An "A" or "B" in the course you wish to support.
• A 3.0 Cumulative GPA or better.
• At least 15 credit hours from Maryland at the time of application.
• A schedule that allows you to dedicate approximately 10 hours per week to GSS.

Application Process:

Complete application information and leader responsibilities can be found on the GSS leader site.
In general, prospective leaders will

• complete the student leader application,
• complete the availability matrix that includes the time you are available to hold GSS sessions,
• provide a copy of your transcript,
• provide an instructor recommendation.

Once the application is completed, submit it to Learning Assistance Service Office. Review of applications for the spring semester will begin on December 3 and continue until all positions are filled. Once your materials have been reviewed, you may be contacted for an interview.

GSS Information for Faculty

Guided Study Sessions (GSS) provide a structured opportunity for your students to engage in course material outside of the scheduled class time. GSS allows instructors to maintain high standards for academic excellence in historically difficult courses by providing student the opportunity to increase their time on task in an effective learning environment. Therefore, Faculty members who participate in GSS benefit from students who are better informed about classroom topics and who earn higher grades.

Faculty play a crucial role in the success of the GSS Program. You will share your content knowledge and teaching expertise with the GSS leaders in order that the leader can prepare for GSS sessions and support the development of students in your course. Interactions with the GSS leader before, during, and after class model student-faculty interaction and demonstrate to students that you are the most valuable resource in the class. GSS leaders are also encouraged to provide feedback with the faculty member about the GSS sessions and areas where students may still be struggling.

Faculty Role

• Provide recommendations for new GSS Leaders each semester.
• Introduce GSS to your students on the first day of class (and include it in your syllabus).
• Allow the GSS leader to make periodic announcements to your class.
• Meet regularly with the GSS Leader to clarify course content and review materials for the GSS session.
• Provide the GSS leader with copies of course materials and access to ELMS documents and assignments.
• Responded to surveys regarding performance of GSS Leaders each semester.
• Sharing scores after each exam with the Director, Learning Assistance for purposes of tracking student outcomes.
• Communicate with Learning Assistance Service throughout the semester.

GSS Leaders

We hope you will view your GSS Leader as a resource, for your teaching and your students. They are encouraged to interact with students in class as much as possible when you feel it is appropriate for them to do so. Specifically, GSS Leaders are trained to:

• Understand the process of learning.
• Encourage interaction between you and your students.
• Be role models for your students.
• Help your students discover and apply new learning strategies.
• Structure group activities so students will learn collaboratively.

GSS Leaders will not:

• Give answers to students or do work for them.
• Teach, grade, or give the impression that they can do these things.
• Work on graded assignments during GSS sessions unless you give them permission.

Have any questions about the GSS program or would you like to request GSS for your class? Call the Learning Assistance Service at 301-314-7693.