EPIC: Embedded Peer Instructional Cohort

EPIC Motto:

Tell me and I forget,
Show me and I remember,
Involve me and I understand.
--Chinese Proverb

EPIC is a modified Supplemental Instruction program that supports students in select English, Math, Biology, Chemistry, CIS, Forestry and Natural Resources, and other courses at College of the Redwoods. EPIC Peer Leaders are assigned to a specific course for which they attend all classes and facilitate 1-2 weekly course study sessions.

Sessions Are Peer-Facilitated

Embedded Peer Leaders (EPLs) are students who have successfully completed the course they will lead. EPLs serve as “near-peers” to the students in class and attend all classes, take notes, and interact with instructors. EPLs conduct one or two out-of-class review sessions per week that enable participants to process the course content delivered in class.

EPIC Sessions Integrate Content and Learning Skills

The study sessions integrate the review of lecture notes, readings, and concepts with appropriate modeling of learning strategies.   How to learn is embedded into each session along with what to learn.

Regularly Scheduled Sessions

EPIC is in place from the first day of class of the academic term. Generally, EPIC Leaders offer two EPIC study sessions each week, but the actual number of sessions will vary depending on student demand or specific issues related to the subject.

Better Understanding Yields Improved Grades

Preliminary studies at CR show Math 102 grades are about 9% higher for EPIC participants, and that English102 students who attended EPIC sessions enjoyed a 20% higher pass rate. (The course is Pass/Fail.)