What is Supplemental Instruction? 

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a learning enhancement program. SI is designed to organize and improve the ways in which students prepare for class outside of class. SI is attached to a subject to provide students with a systematic and disciplined approach for processing the subject material assigned by the professor. Through this program an SI leader is assigned to a subject. This is a student who has demonstrated proficiency in a targeted subject and undergoes SI training. The SI leader attends the subject to keep up with the subject content being presented and to model effective student practices and attitudes. The SI leader schedules and conducts typically one group meeting a week at times convenient to members of the class. During these sessions, the SI leader uses interactive learning strategies which encourage involvement, comprehension and synthesis of subject content. In addition, the SI leader will incorporate demonstrations of effective study techniques.

Why was my subject selected for SI? 

SI targets historically difficult subjects or classes that may be enriched by out-of-class sessions. In other words, this subject contains content that students consider to be challenging. SI is designed to support faculty teaching and is assigned to a subject because of what is being taught, not because of the manner in which it is being taught.

What should I expect from the SI Leader? 

The SI leader will attend all class meetings; 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; and provide feedback to the cooperating faculty member if requested to do so.

What should I expect from the SI Program? 

LeaRN will cooperate with faculty in selecting candidates for SI leaders and place leaders only with the approval of the cooperating faculty member; train all SI leaders according to established guidelines and standards; 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; provide supplies, training, in-service experiences, and consultations for SI leaders.

How can I make SI successful in my class?

SI is not intended to create additional work for faculty. You can make SI a success by:

• Helping LeaRN identify potential SI leaders for your class
• Noting Supplemental Instruction on your syllabus
• Encourage students to go in the first five weeks of class (studies show students who go in this timeframe are much more likely to go regularly)
• Allowing the SI leader to make announcements in class
• Allowing the SI leader to administer an in-class, end-of-semester survey about Supplemental Instruction in your course

If appropriate, some instructors choose to

• Offer extra credit for attending (or extra credit for attending X number of sessions)