Digital Tools in Supplemental Instruction (SI)

This study focus on digital tools and software programmes used in SI. It combines a case study for the SI programme at Lund University with an international overview. The digital tools are divided in categories based on where they are used in SI. Digital tools for SI leaders are usually tools for communication with participants between sessions (Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, etc.); sharing good practices, learning activities, and problems that invite discussion using platforms like google drive; and an app for leaders with learning strategies, session planner and Q &A help for challenges that may occur in sessions. There is a huge variety in software programmes and apps that can be used to enhance the SI participants learning experience. These tools (like jeopardy, kahoot, memory etc.) targets retrieval and/or reflection practices on covered course material to improve memorization and understanding. SI supervisors/coordinators also use digital tools in order to manage the SI programme. Typical tasks can be • to track attendance at SI sessions (Tutortrac, EAB Navigate, Google sheets, etc.), • information exchange between supervisors (list-serves at regional SI centres) • administration of SI-programmes (Canvas, Microsoft Teams, Blackboard, etc.), • create evaluation surveys (Surveymonkey, Qualtrics, Google forms, etc.) • storage of leader training videos, promotions etc. (Youtube playlists) • document observations (Notability, One Note, etc.) Online SI, using video conferencing/teaching platforms like Zoom, Blackboard collaborate, WebEx, etc. is a relatively new form of SI created to address the needs of students in distance learning and students that have difficulties attending traditional SI sessions on Campus. Online SI is still in its infancy and its potential and efficiency is yet to be determined. However, at present, due to higher education going online because of the Corona virus, there are a huge amount of experiences and data being collected on Online SI which may provide answers on its usability.