The Supplement Instruction (SI) programme is well established world wide and the resulting success of the programme is indisputable. The University of Pretoria has decided on SI as the model to be used for addressing the under preparedness of students entering the university, largely brought about by the changes in the curricula at secondary school level. The SI model was piloted in two courses, one in mathematics and another in chemistry, each consisting of more than a thousand students. This paper addresses implementation issues of SI for such a large group of students in mathematics. It cautions would-be implementers to pitfalls and shortcomings of the SI model and suggests how the model could be adapted to answer in current needs. The paper also shows that despite problems in strictly adhering to SI principles in the implementation of the programme, participants showed increased performance.Keywords: supplemental instruction, mathematics, large groups
BackgroundThe past two decades have been notable for change in South Africa. Not only has the country undergone significant political changes but it has also implemented a new education system. The diversity in backgrounds of students entering university after the political changes is prominent. This diversity includes culture, language, and academic preparedness. Lecturers of first-year modules and planners of foundation programmes often lack insight into the academic backgrounds of first-year students towards whom the university curriculum is directed [1]. The full effect of the new outcomes based education approach became evident when the first students to have completed their schooling in the new system entered universities in 2009. These students experienced the gap between secondary school and tertiary mathematics more severely than before and were under prepared with regards to both general mathematical skills as well as content related skills [2].The phenomenon of under preparedness for university mathematics is by no means limited to South Africa. In a study in Ireland in which students' inability to cope with the transition between secondary and t ertiary mathematics was investigated, Hourigan and O'Do noghue [3] found that there was a large difference between the nature of students' mathematics experiences at pre tertiary level and those experienced at university in mathematics intensive courses. Hoyles, Newman and Noss Changes in school curricula bring challenges for university lecturers and can result in the development and implementation of bridging courses, the need for change of university curricula and assessment strategies and for carefully designed supplemental programmes. In an effort to meet the demands presented by the under preparedness of students, the University of Pretoria (UP) has identified so-called High Impact Modules (HIMs) in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. These courses have large student numbers, are taken by students across faculties and should a student fail any of these courses, it has serious implications ...