Welcome To the Uni-Skills Study Group Leaders Training Session! Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011 The Program For the Day: 9:00-9:30 – Overview of Widening Participation Program delivered by Michelle Wear 9:30-10:30 – Session 1 delivered by Guest Speakers 10:30-10:45 – Break 10:45-11:30 – Session 2 delivered by Sadie O’Shea 11:30-12:00 – Questions and Review and Your First Session delivered by Nina Woodrow 12:00-12:45 – Lunch 12:45-1:30 – Session 3 facilitated by Eloise Williams 1:30 – 2:00 – Session 4 delivered by Michelle Wear and Sadie O’Shea 2:00 – 2:20 – Smarthinking delivered by Michelle Wear 2:20 – 2:50 – Learning Services delivered by Shelia McCarthy 2:50-3:20 – Administration delivered by Eloise Williams 3:20-3:30 – Final Questions and Evaluation

Griffith Connect Widening Participation Project Michelle Wear Widening Participation Senior Project Manager

Griffith Connect Widening Participation Project Overview  Federal Government widening participation - 20% of domestic undergraduate students will be from under-represented groups by  Higher Education Partnerships and Participation Program (HEPPP)  Partnerships – outreach  Participation - retention

Griffith Connect Widening Participation Project Griffith Strategy  Responsible to DVC & P  Strategy approved by Executive  Includes enhancement of some existing programs and creation of some new.

Griffith Connect Widening Participation Project  Funding allocated in May 2010 * Partnerships $355,505 * Participation $1,714,228 * Total $2,069,733  Funding allocated in 2011 * Partnerships $355,505 (+ some to come) * Participation $3,292,432 * Total $3,647,937

Griffith Connect Partnerships  Enhance existing Equity Support Programs  Extend Uni-Reach  Extend QTAC application support ($15K 2010)  Indigenous outreach programs  Additional GUMURRII support staff

Griffith Connect Participation  WP Scholarships  Extend start up grants  Improve lap-top computer access  Increase emergency grants  Increase counselling – careers and personal  Smarthinking  Uni-Skills Program

Griffith Connect Uni-Skills Uni-Key and Uni-Skills Uni-Key – for commencing students (Student Equity Services) Uni-Skills – for continuing students Entire WP cohort approximately 3,000 students Continuing 1,900

Griffith Connect Uni-Skills Study Groups Study Groups  Pilot Semester 2, 2010  Domestic, undergraduate students  Peer lead  Matched to year level, program and campus  Members 1-10  Approximately 50 groups were active, some 1-1.  Review – survey, focus groups

Griffith Connect Uni-Skills Study Groups Study Groups  Semester 1, 2011  Domestic, undergraduate students  Peer lead (PG students included)  Matched to year level, program and campus  Members 1-10  Weeks 3 onwards

Griffith Connect Uni-Skills Study Groups Study Group Leaders  High GPA  Successful transitioning through program  Training

Session 1 Inclusivity and Cultural Awareness delivered by Ian Johnson from EnglishHELP Referral Map for your Campus delivered by Sadie O’Shea Student Services delivered by representative from Student Services Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Session 2 - Giving and receiving feedback »Feedback enables people to develop their skills and performance by learning about their developmental needs and understanding their strengths. »Feedback focuses on a person’s behaviour and not their personality! Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Giving positive feedback activity  You have been randomly assigned to a group to complete a group project. One of your group members has taken the initiative to write up the final report for the project, which incorporates all the work the group has done. The overall result is impressive; it is accurate and uses everyone’s work effectively. Provide feedback to this person! Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Characteristics of feedback  Defined by a clear purpose »Why are you giving the feedback? »Why do you want them to change their behaviour / Why continue their current behaviour? »What message do you want to hear?  Specific and descriptive »If you are giving feedback about a problem – how do you describe the problem? »If you want the person to change – how will they know what to change? Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Characteristics of feedback  Relevant »How much of the feedback really applies directly to the person’s situation? »What language will you use to reduce defensiveness?  Actionable »Based on your feedback – how will the person know what their responsibilities are, or what actions to take? »What measures can you use to evaluate the change? »How would you respond if someone gave you this feedback? Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Characteristics of feedback  Timely »What is the best time to give feedback? »In what environment should feedback be given?  Balanced »How much opportunity will the person have to respond to your feedback? »Are you open to changing your opinion based on the person’s response? Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Steps for effective feedback 1.Set the proper climate 2.Consider carefully what you want to communicate 3.Set the context for the feedback 4.Give the feedback 5.Give the receiver an opportunity to listen and respond 6.Work together to determine the next steps 7.Express your support! Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Giving constructive feedback activity  You have been assigned to a group for group project work. Your group has been working well, but one member has started turning up late to meetings (this is something all group members agreed would not happen). This situation is not out of control, but you can see further where each team member will be needed, and that this situation could cause more work for other team members. Please give this group member feedback. Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Receiving constructive feedback  Relax and listen  Make it your intention to not take feedback as a criticism  Ask for clarification  Prompt  Paraphrase and check for understanding  Agree with the truth  Ask for suggestions on alternative behaviour Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Listening activity  In a group, do a round of ‘Chinese’ whispers. One person thinks of two sentences to pass along and the last person say out loud to the group what they heard. Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Listening effectively  Encourage  Paraphrase  Probe  Listening is not a passive activity!  Listen for unspoken fears, concerns, moods or aspirations  Listen to others with respect  Listen without thinking of how you are going to respond Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Review Activity  Generate a thought provoking question drawn from the content of today’s workshop so far, such as:  What is the purpose of …?  Why is … important?  What is the best way to respond to...?  How does … affect …?  Write your question clearly on a piece of paper.  Screw your piece of paper into a ball and when prompted, throw it into the air  Collect a piece of paper near you and in groups of three discuss these questions Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Study Group Sessions Weekly 1 hour per week contact 1 hour per week pre and post session work Contacting group Organising time and place Preparing Session 1 plan Completing weekly review Filling out paperwork Any follow-up Reminders for next session Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Study Group Sessions Facilitators Not Lecturers Not Tutors Guide discussion, help formulate plans and strategies, assist with review of content, direct to resources. Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Designing your first session.... Question 1 What can you do in your study group? Question 2 How might your group operate? Question 3 What will be your ground rules? For you? For the group? Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Designing your first session.... Question 1 What can you do in your study group? Start thinking of the type of activities and content you might cover in your first session. Start a list now that you will work on in groups in Session 4. Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Session 3 These panel members were matched to a group last year. The purpose of the panel is to provide you with some real-life examples of some of the challenges the Study Group Leaders had to face last year. Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Designing your first study session Smarthinking Learning Services Administration Where to from here? Questions? Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011 Session 4

Designing your first study session  What can you do in your Study Group?  How might your group operate? This first session Following sessions Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Designing your first study session What can you do in your Study Group?  Ice breaking activity  Set and agree on priorities – what courses, what assignments.  Review material from lectures, tutorials  Compare read and update notes  Divide up readings or other work  Prepare for an exam  Repeating recalling key points in subject material Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Designing your first study session What can you do in your Study Group?  Meeting new people at the University  Facilitating key contacts  Learning different ways to study  Questioning and exploring topics and finding answers  a chance to get feedback on your ideas and issues or aspects of the course you are studying  finding and realising your own talents  teach someone else part of your topic! It will help them and reinforce your own understanding  to learn group facilitation / participation skills Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Designing your first study session How might your group operate?  Where will you meet?  How will you recognise each other?  How will you contact each other?  Will you have a meeting agenda to achieve your purposes? How will you construct your agenda for each session? Brainstorm? Prior suggestions compiled and work through them?  Set approximate time limits on agenda items  Set a quitting time and stick to it Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Designing your first study session How might your group operate?  End each session by agreeing what each person will do in preparation for the next meeting  How will you reflect on and review the operation and success of your group? How will you collect feedback from your students?  How will you deal with sensitive issues? Consider privacy and confidentiality.  What roles will each participant fulfil in the group and at meetings? Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Designing your first study session  Ground rules – determine how the group will operate »Important for the group as well as you personally »Work out the top 3 ground rules for yourself. Ask yourself the following questions:  What will be your ground rules for you?  What will be the ground rules for the group? Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

SMARTHINKING Online Academic Tutoring & Writing Service

What is Smarthinking? Synchronous and asynchronous access to tutoring up to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Students:  Connect with an e-structor for live tutoring.  Submit text for review and critique.  Submit questions and receive a reply the next day.  Can access up to 3hrs online synchronous tutoring and / or asynchronous tutoring during this semester only (free). Purchase more (own expense)  Should refer all content issues to their tutor.  Should not refer technology queries to tutors or lecturers. Only through ST itself, Griffith IT Help or Project Manager.

What Subject Areas are Covered? Sample: Mathematics Basic Math, Algebra, Geometry/Trig, Calculus I & II, Statistics, Microeconomic Principles, Macroeconomic Principles Business Studies Economics I and II, Finance, and Accounting Science Biology, Introductory Human Anatomy & Physiology, Physics, and Chemistry Writing Grammar, Composition, and ESL

How do ST e-structors help students? SMARTHINKING e-structors will  Engage you in discussion (if using synchronous access)  Provide written feedback on essays/paragraphs  Suggest problem-solving strategies (e.g. for Mathematics)  Encourage you with constructive, critical feedback  Help you to see areas where your work can be improved  Suggest another section of the ST service if necessary e.g. ESL

E mail Sent to students

How do you access Smarthinking? Click on the ST button in tabs

Home Page

Connect with e-structor: Drop down menu shows currently available subjects. User can submit a question to the whiteboard and undertake a synchronous session with an e-structor. Schedule a personal session: User can preschedule a live session with the e-structor. Cancellation inside 48hrs will incur cost to the user. Submit your writing: Simply upload a piece of text for evaluation by the e –structor. Provide details of what you want the e-structor to look at specifically. Length of writing will determine how much time is deducted from allowance. Usually 40 or 60 mins (quite a lot of time so draft should be advanced) plus 5 mins admin. Submit a question: A subject is chosen from the drop down menu and a question submitted. 24hr turn around, usually. Academic Resources: A small group of online handbooks e.g. Accountig Glossary, ST Study Handbook. One section (Mathematics) takes students to a number of external links including the Rice Virtual Lab (statistics-simulations and demonstrations). Features Tutorial Link

“ Hi Deb, You spoke briefly at one of my economics lectures last week about Smarthinking. I just thought you might appreciate some early feedback as I have just used it for the first time. It was FANTASTIC. It was so handy to have someone available right away when I hit a problem in my study. They took me through the problem and pointed out some solutions and I was able to get right back on track and not waste (typically) hours searching for the solution. Nate 5 August 2010 Sample Synchronous Interaction Sample Synchronous Interaction Demand and supply

Mathematics online interaction - about factorisation; least common multiple

Sample Writing Feedback Link to OWL Live Session

OWL-Submission

Student Handbook Accessed through page

Student Handbook Accessed through Course Page

For more information contact the Study Group Coordinator at your campus: Gold Coast and Logan: Sadie O’Shea – Nathan and Logan: Eloise Williams – Mount Gravatt and Southbank: Nina Woodrow –

Learning Services Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Administration Tax File Number Declaration -This is important to fill in if you’re a new employee of Griffith -If you’re not new but your details have changed e.g. -You’ve got another job which is your primary job; -You’ve changed your name/address etc; -You’ve started accruing a HECS/HELP Debt; -OR you haven’t worked in 12 months. -When you hand it in with your time sheet, please keep the first two pages which contains information for you. -We only want the coloured pages please! Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

TIME SHEETS – Important Details! Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011 On all pay forms that you complete you need to make sure that you have ID, Surname, Given Name, Date of Birth and Campus filled in. We can take care of Element, Type of Work, Classification and Hourly Rate $27.03 If you make an error you ALWAYS need to cross it out and initial it!

Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session /02/1109:0015:3001:0005:30 On any time sheet you need to have a minimum of 2 hours – so if you do get matched to a group and you meet for an hour each week please put down that you worked for 2 hours, as you’ll spend the other hour communicating with students in the lead up to the session, planning the session, and completing your Submission Log after the session.

Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011 YOU ALWAYS NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SIGNED YOUR TIME SHEET!

If you are new or your personal details have changed Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Weekly Review Forms Study Group Weekly Review Form -It is mandatory that you complete one after each session, even if no-one turned up! -Completing these weekly reviews is a requirement of being a Study Group Leader, we would prefer not to have to chase you up to complete the review! Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Where to from here?  It will take 2-3 weeks to receive your pay from attending today’s session. If you have not received your pay by the end of Week 4 please get in contact with the Study Group Coordinator located on your campus. Please be patient though, particularly if you are a new employee of Griffith.  We will endeavour to match as many of you as possible, however please don’t be disheartened if we weren’t able to match you. It is not personal, it will simply come down to whether a suitable match can be made.  If you are successful in being matched, your Study Group Coordinator will be in contact with you before the end of Week 2. You will need to come in and collect a Resource Folder as well as the information about the people in your group.  Ideally we would like sessions to commence in Week 3, however we understand that getting in contact with students may be a little bit more difficult at first, so it may take you some time to get started.  If at anytime you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact one of us. Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011

Any QUESTIONS? Uni-Skills Study Group Training Session 2011 Please take a moment to reflect on today’s workshop. Was there a moment when you felt inspired, excited about the possibility of being a study group leader? 1.Use your sticky notes to write a quick note describing this moment 2.Write as many sticky notes as you want 3.Stick your note onto the white board (not your face) Photo by: Zach_ManchesterUK

Thanks for attending today’s Uni-Skills Study Group Leader Training Session! We look forward to working with you throughout the semester!