PASSING ON A YEAR'S EXPERIENCE

SI is a student academic assistance programme that increases student performance and retention. Fundamental features are that it is voluntary, student driven, cost effective, and focuses on high risk courses rather than high risk students. The SI facilitators are senior students themselves (near peers), who have successfully completed the course concerned and have received intensive training in the principles of non directive facilitation of small groups. They offer regular, out of class, peer facilitated sessions after attending the lectures, thereby integrating content with learning skills and study strategies. The programme is offered to all students, predominantly at first year level, and is embedded within the context of the discipline. The programme attempts to address students needs in a holistic approach.