Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an academic support program in which a student leader (SI Leader) is assigned to work with a particular class for the semester. The SI leaders offer group and individual review sessions for students outside of class time. They attend all class sessions (both Zoom and in-person) and are available to answer questions and provide assistance as needed. All SI leaders participate in a rigorous training program throughout each semester and work closely with the faculty member who teaches the course.
Overview
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a nontraditional form of tutoring that focuses on collaboration, group study, and interaction to assist students in undertaking "traditionally difficult" courses. The SI program provides peer support by having students who succeeded in traditionally difficult academic courses help other students complete these courses. SI is a non-remedial approach that provides regular review sessions outside of class in which students work collaboratively by discussing readings, comparing notes, working together to predict test items, and sharing ideas for improving class material. Out-of-class review sessions are led by "SI Leaders", students or alums who took the class already and did well. SI Leaders attend all class lectures, take notes, and act as models to those currently taking the course.
SI Leaders additionally, work in combination with the class faculty (SI Faculty Members), and with students in the course section they are assigned to support. They attend classes along with students when Zoom/in-person classes are held, and are members of the Blackboard classroom for distance courses, allowing them to know exactly what students are covering in courses for their weekly review sessions. To form the basis of their review sessions, SI leaders combine specific study skills with key course content, integrating what to learn with how to learn.
Who We Work With
The SI Program is designed to target courses known as “barrier” courses, meaning they are courses that are often difficult for students to pass and may therefore block the student from being able to progress in their academic program. Students with experience of all levels and abilities, ages, cultures, and backgrounds utilize the SI Program. SI Leaders will find themselves working with students on a wide variety of tasks such as assignments/homework, projects, and studying for quizzes/exams.
Goals of Supplemental Instruction
- Provide academic assistance to students, with the ultimate goal being to create more independent learners
- Making connections with students in the classroom, helping to create a sense of community in the course and in the college as a whole
- Providing a bridge between students and faculty, especially for those students who may feel uncomfortable asking for help or clarification on their own
- Encourage students who may not traditionally seek out academic support services to utilize resources
Services Offered
Supplemental Instruction Leaders are not used to correct or evaluate student assignments; their main purpose is to help students become confident independent learners. We provide assistance during every stage of the learning process, including:
- Weekly group review sessions to review current material being covered in the course
- Individual tutoring appointments
- In-class assistance
- Assistance via email (for simple questions and clarification requests)
- Support to the SI Faculty Member
Become an S.I. Leader
Help other students succeed and gain excellent experience for future leadership positions.
Role of an S.I. Leader
- Attend lectures, take notes, and read course material
- Conduct 1-2 study or exam review sessions a week
- Plan interactive learning activities using course content
- Attend scheduled meetings with supervisor and faculty
- Model outstanding student behavior and academic practices
- Work 7-11 hours per week. (Up to 18.5 hrs)
Benefits
- Develop leadership and interpersonal communication skills
- Flexible work schedule as a paid on-campus position
- Build upon your own knowledge of course content
- Develop important public-speaking, team-building, and professional skills.
- Obtain important professional experience for your resume.
Requirements
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Earned a grade of B or higher in the course you intend to support
- Faculty recommendation
- Good organizational and interpersonal skills
- Must be an alumnus of 博彩网站 or a current student
Become an S.I. Faculty Member
SI Faculty members mentors the SI Leader and serve as guides for their SI Leaders, both modeling behavior and creating and monitoring the role of SI Leaders working with students in the classroom
Role of a Faculty Member
- Recommends potential leaders to SI Supervisor
- Before the semester begins, SI Faculty Members and the selected SI leader review the syllabus and schedule for the course.
- Working together, SI Faculty and their SI Leader create a roster of duties for the SI leaders to perform during class hours, such as the review of difficult areas of the subject matter.
- SI Faculty also help SI Leaders arrange for outside class activities, such as room location to hold review sessions.
- Allow your SI Leader to promote SI at start of class
- Meet with their SI Leader 15 minutes per week
- Conduct performance review of SI Leaders at the end of the semester.
- Allow Leader to survey class: Beginning of term: for input on SI Sessions & Preliminary Surveys
- Keep communication open with SI Supervisor to discuss progress and/or concerns
- Advocate for the Supplemental Instruction program
Benefits
- Students who attend SI sessions historically report higher course grades and learned study skills.
- Faculty benefit from having SI support in their classes. Through interactions with the SI Leader, they have their finger on the pulse of the students in their class, and they are more connected with the needs of their students.
Requirements
- Be a current Faculty Member
- Willingness to perform the role of an SI Faculty Member
- Attend paid SI Leader/SI Faculty Training meetings (Usually once per semester, January for Spring semester & August for Fall semester)
Faculty S.I. Leader Request Form
Contact Information
Nicole Jackson
Coordinator of Student Success
Ira H. Rubenzahl Student Learning Commons (B19), Room 220
nljackson@masonjarlidspro.com
413-755-4753