Supplemental Instruction (SI) Program

FAQ for Faculty

• What is Supplemental Instruction

  Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a peer-facilitated learning enhancement model designed to impact the way students learn difficult content in a specific course.   SI is attached to course sections to provide students with a systematic and structured approach for processing the course material assigned by the instructor.

  In this program, an SI Leader is assigned to a course section.  The Leader is a student who has demonstrated proficiency in a targeted course and undergoes extensive SI training to plan effective SI sessions.  The SI Leader attends the class to keep up with the course content, and models effective student practices and attitudes.  The SI Leader schedules and conducts three group meetings a week at times convenient to members of the class.  During these sessions, the SI Leader engages students using interactive learning strategies, which encourage involvement, comprehension, and synthesis of subject content.  As appropriate, the SI Leader will incorporate demonstrations of effective learning strategies.

• Why was my subject selected for SI?

  SI targets historically difficult courses. In other words, this course contains content that students consider to be challenging. SI is designed to support faculty teaching and is assigned to a course because of what is being taught, not because of the manner in which it is being taught or by whom it is being taught.

• What will I be required to do?

  SI is not intended to create additional work for faculty. You can support SI by granting time for occasional in-class announcements and by encouraging students to take advantage of SI. SI is for ALL students. Faculty should avoid the notion that only those students who do poorly will benefit.

  Additionally, we will be in contact with you about the following aspects of the program:

  • Assisting us in selecting and approving candidates for SI Leaders for your course;
  • Assisting us by providing information for SI program evaluation: a copy of the official FERPA allows institutions to collect this data; students’ rights to privacy regarding this information will be fully protected.
• What should I expect from an SI leader?

  The SI Leader will:

  • Attend all class sessions
  • Maintain a professional attitude about matters such as class standards, grades, and student complaints
  • Discourage students from attending SI as a substitute for class
  • Share SI materials with the cooperating faculty member before use, if possible
  • Provide feedback to the cooperating faculty member if requested to do so

  The SI Leader will NOT:

  • Re-lecture
  • Introduce new material
  • Answer faculty addressed e-mails
  • Grade assignments and exams
  • Discourage students from going to class
  • Teach the class in the instructor’s absence
• What should I expect from the SI program?

  SI Leaders will be selected only with the approval of the cooperating faculty member. The SI Supervisor will:

  • Train all SI Leaders according to established guidelines and standards
  • Monitor the activities and presentations of SI Leaders for as long as necessary by occasionally attending class with them, helping plan sessions, and supervising their performance
  • Provide supplies, training, in-service experiences, and consultations for SI Leaders
  • Meet with SI Leaders individually every two weeks to discuss their performance and experience