NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK ENGINEERS
Here are a few tips that will promote retention and success that chapters can implement.
Facilitated Study Groups Facilitated study groups are typically regularly scheduled study sessions for engineering students to increase understanding of course material and challenging concepts. These groups, which complement the lecture and recitation with supplemental instruction and problem-solving, are typically facilitated by graduate students or upperclassmen with demonstrated proficiency in the subject area.
NSBE chapters can • Understand what subjects/classes members struggle with the most, and prioritize these.
• Organize facilitated study groups led by an upperclassmen, graduate students or postdocs for these classes. These meetings should not replace, but are supplemental to lectures, labs and recitations, and should focus on problem solving. The problems should be as hard, if not harder than those that are given in class. • Recognize that study groups are one step in a three-step learning process to maximize learning: Study alone, then in a group, then alone. In other words, they shouldn’t replace the time that students spend working on their own, just supplement it. • Set a specific day and time to meet, at least two days prior to the assignment due date. • Hold everyone accountable to be engaged; this is not a passive experience. Everyone in the group should be honest and open about their ability to hold up their end of the bargain. Study Groups Whether or not upperclassmen, graduate students and postdocs are available, chapter members should self-organize study groups around specific courses. The key is to utilize the study groups in ways that reinforce the learning you do on your own, rather than it being just a homework aid.
Here are some tips for e ective study groups, which are also available here:
NSBE members can • Recognize that study groups are one step in a three-step learning process to maximize learning: Study alone, then in a group, then alone. For a study group to be e ective, everyone in the group must also be prepared to do work on his or her own before and after the group meets. • Set a specific day and time to meet, at least two days prior to the assignment due date. • Invite no more than 4 to 5 members to be part of your study group. • Hold everyone accountable to do their share of the work. • Be honest and open about your ability to hold up your end of the bargain. • Rotate the study group’s leadership. • Don’t think of study groups as remedial, but rather, a key to fostering high achievement. Study Skills Workshops Learning how to learn is critical for success in college. There are several good resources that are available to share within the chapter. Here are specific tips and resources chapters can implement to maximize Study Skills workshops: • Upperclassmen who have been successful should share their tips and techniques with incoming freshmen, transfers or others who are new to engineering (for example, newly declared majors). These engagements should be both formal (for example panel discussions, and workshops during GBMs) and informal through mentoring and advising. • Local NSBE Professionals can o er career skills development workshops and provide access to internships that make the promise of an engineering career more real to collegiate members. Having accessible role models who o er a clear vision of the career possibilities makes members more purposeful students. • Your Academic Excellence (AEx) Chair is a vital resource to help promote retention. These chairs work with NSBE’s regional and national leaders to foster academic success and retention across the Society, and especially at the chapter level. • The Working Smarter column written by Executive Director Dr. Karl Reid in the NSBE magazine contains practical tips that students could use to be successful. Many of these tips are also available on his blog site under the “Working Smarter” keyword. • The Guaranteed 4.0 System developed by former National Chair, Dr. Donna O. Mackey, promises a perfect grade point average if you follow the system. • Finally, there are several resources available to chapters, including information about the Chapter Retention Program and the Toolkit [Add a link].
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