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Deree Event
Jul
13
Student Academic Support Services (SASS)
Student Academic Support Services (SASS) is a service available to all ACG students, offering a vital program designed to enhance the educational experience.
Through one-to-one and group workshop sessions, SASS learning facilitators support the development of academic and study skills at the undergraduate and graduate level across all schools. SASS learning facilitators recognize that individual qualities and efforts vary; therefore, they adopt a learner-centered approach in order to promote individual development and to respond to the needs of each student. SASS facilitators practice a non-instructional philosophy in which students' academic work reflects their own ideas, critical skills, and abilities.
Types of Learning Facilitation
SASS offers two major types of academic support: one-on-one sessions and group sessions.
One-on-One Sessions
These sessions are conducted on a one-on-one basis between the facilitator and the student. They cover a broad range of academic skills and are offered on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Group Sessions
There are two kinds of group sessions, both designed to emphasize direct interaction between participants:
1. Academic skills workshops offered on demand. They may focus on sharpening a quantitative or qualitative skill for a course or helping participants sharpen conversational skills in a foreign language.
2. Study skills workshops are offered regularly. They are designed to help participants improve a particular study skill, such as note-taking or exam preparation.
Pedagogy
Students come to SASS to advance their competence in various academic skills, including: critical reading and writing, research and information literacy, appropriate use of sources, oral and presentation competencies, as well as other quantitative and qualitative skills. SASS learning facilitators encourage students to view each session as part of a dynamic learning process which continues throughout their studies at the College.
A student’s individual learning goals and objectives constitute the starting point of each session. The sessions are informal, non-evaluative but rigorous attempts to address the skill-based needs of individual students. No comment, oral or written, is made on the quality of the student’s work, on the assignment, or on the instructor’s method of grading.
Learning facilitators help students to identify their needs and the methods appropriate to address them. The primary task of learning facilitators is to help students further develop the skills required for success in academic settings.
Sessions are not a substitute for in-class teaching or teacher-student conferencing. Rather, SASS sessions support the work done in class and in the teacher’s office hours so as to reinforce the concepts of academic literacy taught in all disciplines.
In an effort to enhance academic literacy, SASS also offers study-skills sessions and workshops.
The Role of SASS
The role of the learning facilitator is distinct from that of the instructor. SASS facilitators act in a supporting role to help students reflect on their needs as learners and come up with ways to address them. They are not content experts, evaluators or graders.
Through cooperation and collaboration, instructors and SASS facilitators work together, keeping in mind the ultimate purpose; to help students develop appropriate college skills and gain ownership of their own learning process.
Learning Facilitators
SASS learning facilitators assist students in improving and strengthening academic, organizational and study skills. Learning facilitators encourage students to take an active role in the session and to reflect on and talk about their work and methods of working by offering students the opportunity for self-discovery and self-assessment about themselves as learners. Learning facilitators help students better understand personal strengths and weaknesses and work holistically to strengthen their skills. The SASS learning function should not be viewed as a ‘quick-fix’ session on assignments but as a resource for self-advocacy and study skill improvement.
Student Testimonials
“Learning facilitators have helped me understand the process and be more creative. They always make me feel welcome and help me improve. “
“I was able to correct my paper on my own.”
“The facilitator was friendly and helpful.”
“Facilitators helped me put my thoughts in order and this encouraged me to become even better.”
“I received assistance in developing necessary learning skills.”
“Everyone was always willing to help and always very positive and professional.”
“SASS services helped me to understand in depth the big concepts and feel comfortable for the examinations.”
Contact us
SASS is located on the main level of the JSB Library, Rooms 231 to 234.
Dr. Gregory Katsas
SASS Director
- grkatsas@acg.edu
-
JSB Library 231, ext. 1276
