STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Supplemental Instruction

Overview

SI is an academic enrichment program that utilizes peer assisted study sessions.  The SI program targets traditionally difficult academic courses-- those that have a high rate of D or F grades and withdrawals-- and provides regularly scheduled, out-of-class, peer facilitated sessions.  SI does not identify high-risk students, but rather identifies high-risk classes.  SI study sessions are informal seminars in which students form a learning community to compare notes, discuss readings, develop organizational tools and predict test items.  Students learn how to integrate course content and reasoning skills.  The SI sessions are directed by "SI leaders," students who have previously and successfully taken the "high-risk" courses.  The SI leaders use interactive learning strategies and incorporate effective study techniques, which encourage involvement and comprehension of course content.

SI Sessions

The SI session integrates how-to-learn with what-to-learn.  Students who attend the SI session discover appropriate application of study strategies as they review content material, e.g., note taking, graphic organization, questioning techniques, vocabulary acquisition, and test preparation.  Students have the opportunity to become actively involved in the course material as the SI leaders use the text, supplemental readings, problem sets, and lecture notes as vehicles for learning skill instruction. SI sessions normally occur in or near the course classroom instead of in a learning center.  SI sessions are attended on a voluntary basis and no effort is made to segregate students based on academic ability.  Since SI is introduced on the first day of classes and is open to all students in the class, SI is not viewed as remedial.

Components of SI Program

 Faculty:

1. Cooperate with SI supervisors to select candidates as SI leaders.

2. Provide a copy of the official roster for the SI supervisor.

3. Provide a copy of grades after the first exam and at the conclusion of the course for the SI supervisor.

4. Make (or allow to be made) periodic announcements about SI sessions, inviting all students to participate.

5. Avoid suggesting that only those who do poorly will benefit

6. Maintain SI as a recommended and encouraged activity rather than a requirement.

SI Leader:

1. Attend all class meetings, take notes and read all assigned material.

2. Conduct three or more 50-minute SI sessions each week.

3. Help others develop and use note-taking skills.

4. Maintain a professional attitude about matters such as class standards, grades, and student complaints.

5. Use interactive learning strategies rather than reteach, lecture, or complete students' assignments for them.

6. Discourage attending SI as a substitute for class.

7. Prepare handouts, learning aids, and informal quizzes for SI sessions.

8. Share SI materials with the cooperating faculty members before use, if possible, and provide feedback to the cooperating faculty members if requested to do so.

SI Supervisor:

1. Cooperate with faculty in selecting candidates for SI leaders and place leaders only with the approval of the cooperating faculty member.

2. Train all SI leaders according to established guidelines and standards.

3. Monitor the activities and presentations of SI leaders for as long as necessary by attending class with them, helping plan sessions and supervising their performance.

4. Provide supplies, training, in-service experiences, and consultations for SI leaders.

5. Complete and provide cooperating faculty with an end-of-term comparative analysis of student performance.

6. Evaluating the program, and reporting results.

In addition to tutoring, Student Support Services provides Supplemental Instruction (SI), which is organized tutoring sessions for specific courses that are tied directly to the instruction in the courses.  Your SI leader, a competent student who has previously taken the course, will guide you through the material.

You may view the SI leader's schedule by clicking on their name and course.  You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the schedules.  If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader you can download it by visiting the website www.adobe.com