University of Guelph Library
"Our leader was very helpful, she helped me to understand key concepts and study habits. She also helped me not to worry so much about midterms and quizzes. "
What are SLGs?
Supported Learning Groups (SLG) are a form of co-curricular academic support in which senior students who have taken a difficult course previously and done well, attend the lectures again and then facilitate out of class, regularly scheduled study groups. These study groups are open to all students who are enrolled in the course and can make the available times. Students can participate as often as they like.
SLGs are designed to provide students with regular review and practice, immediate feedback, and support in developing effective approaches to learning. SLGs are proactive because they start in the first week of the semester before students have a chance to get behind and continue until the last week of classes each semester. For many students who attend SLGs regularly, the study groups provide them with guaranteed study time in a supportive, resource-rich learning environment.
Students who attend SLG sessions are expected to come prepared to contribute to the review activities. SLG sessions are not tutoring or instruction sessions. Rather, SLGs are an opportunity for students to study together and with an academically successful Peer Helper who is trained in collaborative learning and study skills. The Leaders are prepared to guide students through course concepts, solving problems similar to those provided in lecture, and in developing meta-cognitive awareness in students, and an awareness of campus resources.
SLGs have been at the University of Guelph since 1998 and the program has won several awards. SLGs are based on Supplemental Instruction (SI) which began over thirty years ago at the University of Missouri in Kansas City and has since expanded to universities and colleges around the world. If you are interested in learning more about SI or reading some of the published studies on the model, go to the International Centre for SI.
What do I need to do if I have SLGs in my course?
The SLG program benefits greatly from working closely with involved faculty, but we recognize that faculty have numerous responsibilities and appreciate that you will need to determine a level of involvement that works best for you.
All faculty provide brief amounts of time in lecture for the SLG Leaders to make announcements regarding session times and activities. Most faculty note the availability of SLG study groups in their course outlines, on the course website and through comments in lecture or in consultation with students. Course instructors are welcome to connect with the SLG Leaders assigned to their lecture sections and can contribute to the program in a variety of ways. Just let us know how you would like to be involved.
How do I find out about having SLGs in my course?
Courses with SLGs attached are selected in accordance with criteria approved by the Vice-President Academic's Council. If you are interested in learning more about the selection criteria and process, please contact Krista Bianco at:
Quick Links
Supplemental Instruction in Canada
International Centre for Supplemental Instruction
Contact
General Inquiries
Unit Manager
Krista Bianco
519–824–4120 ext. 58316
