Supplemental Instructors for High-Risk Course in Biology

Mike Gleason

Our Project

A Teaching and Learning in University STEM class proposal. High Risk? SI?

Collaborators: Wall, Kleine, Mumma Classes for which study is complete*

BIOL 1107 Principles of Biology I BIOL 1108 Principles of Biology II BIOL 2100 Genetics BIOL 2700 Evolution BIOL 2800 Ecology

* Continuing this Spring in 1107 (2), 2100, and 2700

Measures of Success

Overall GPA improvement in Classes Track SI Attendance – Correlate to

Individual Performances on Exams Student Attitudes, SALG Supplemental Instructor Attitudes

Effect on Course Grades: Genetics (BIOL 2100)

BIOL 2100* No SI SI

Instructor %DFW %W n %DFW %W n

1 35.1 20.5 171 21.3 5.8 206

2 46.5 30.4 224 30.7 13.9 101

* Genetics courses since 1999. Instructor 1 began using SI in 2005; Instructor 2 used SIs from 2006-2008.

Effect on Course Grades: Principles of Bio I (BIOL 1107)

BIOL 1107* No SI SI

Instructor %DFW %W n %DFW %W n

1 23.8 10.0 130 19.1 12.7 63

2 56.5 26.7 116 37.5 12.5 40

3 39.8 19.5 266 30 5 40

* BIOL 1107 courses since 2005. Each instructor has used an SI once in this course.

Effect on Course Grades: Other High-Risk Bio Courses

Other BIOL Courses

No SI SI

%DFW %W n %DFW %W n

1108 14.8 11.1 27 21.6 6.5 139

2700 13.3 7.7 143 2.3 0 44

2800 15.8 4.5 44 4.8 4.8 42

* no-SI Grade distributions since 2005 (except 2800). Each instructor has used an SI only once in this course.

Comments and Conclusions

Comments on Other Measures SI Attendance –Individual Perform. Student Attitudes SI Attitudes

Conclusions and Suggestions