Supplemental Instruction Program

 

 

SPONSORED BY THE

 

OFFICE OF EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH

&

PARTNERSHIPS

 

School of Medicine

Medical College of Georgia

Augusta, Georgia

 

 

THE TUTORIAL PROGRAM

 

T

he Tutorial Program is an academic support service provided for students enrolled at the Medical College of Georgia to facilitate adjustment to the rigorous demands of their professional programs.  The two primary goals of the program are;

 

 

Ř      To help students attain the minimum mastery level needed to pass a course

Ř      To promote independent learning

 

S

tudents receiving tutorial assistance must comply with the following expectations to remain eligible:  (a) attend class; (b) attend tutorial sessions; (c) complete homework assignments given by the tutors; (d) stay in assigned groups; (e) assume responsibility for contacting the tutor once assigned; (f) sign attendance rosters at each tutoring session; and (g) participate in on-going and final evaluations of services received.

 

THE TUTORS

 

T

he tutors are typically outstanding upper-level students endorsed by the course director of the subject they are tutoring.  All tutors have demonstrated mastery of content in the subject to be tutored and are perceived to possess good human relations skills.  Tutors are monitored by the tutorial Program Coordinator in cooperation with the Assistant Dean.  All tutors must participate in an orientation prior to being approved for employment and are compensated on an hourly basis as determined by student contact hours.  Tutors are not compensated for preparation time.

 

THE TUTORIAL PROCEDURE

 

T

utorial service recipients are typically referred by the Course Director.  While an individual student can request tutorial assistance, they must be in academic jeopardy or borderline (usually with a grade of 74 or below or as determined by the course’s grading guidelines in a particular course) before tutoring is approved.  If tutoring is no longer needed or a problem exists with the tutorial process, a student can be removed from tutoring or re-assigned to a new tutorial roster by the Program Coordinator in consultation with the Assistant Dean.

 

I

n special cases, such as personal illness, family illness/death, a learning disability, etc., students may be referred for help by administrative faculty, faculty advisors or request tutoring themselves.  The status of a typical service recipient is routinely reviewed and updated after examinations to reassess the need for support.

 

TUTORIAL SESSIONS

 

T

utoring is usually provided in small group sessions.  If enough qualified tutors are available, select students with exceptional needs may also be offered individual assistance.  For most courses, tutorial sessions average three to four hours a week, however, more time may be allowed if academic needs exist.  Sessions are scheduled to be mutually convenient for both the tutor and assigned students.

 

STUDY GROUPS

 

L

ed by a peer tutor, the main goal of study groups is to build on the social and academic peer support system for underrepresented minority and other non-traditional students that begins with participation in the Summer Prematriculation Program.  A student does not need to be in academic difficulty to be eligible to participate in a study group.  In addition to providing a supportive atmosphere for participants, Study Groups have been proven to enhance academic performance at all levels, which often prepares some students to serve as Peer Tutors for subsequent study groups.

 

 

For More Information Contact:

 

Wilma Sykes-Brown, M.A.,

Assistant Dean

Director, Supplemental Instruction

 

or

 

Golanda L. Blackwell

Administrative Assistant I

Coordinator, Supplemental Instruction

Office of Educational Outreach & Partnerships

CB 1801, Research & Education Building

(706) 721-2522

Email: wsykes@mail.mcg.edu or gblackwell@mail.mcg.edu