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What is SI?
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an evidence-based academic support program that has been offered in higher education institutions for over 5 decades! Our program is proudly accredited by the International Center for Supplemental Instruction (ICSI).
SI identifies courses that have historically high drop/fail/withdrawal rates and offers students access to free, voluntary, group-based content review sessions. These sessions are led by undergraduate peer educators (see section below: Who leads SI sessions?) who promote active learning and collaboration.
Why should students attend SI?
Program assessment demonstrates that regular participation in SI sessions can help students earn up to a half-letter grade higher than their peers who don't participate! We often hear students share that SI attendance provided them greater comprehension and confidence with course content.
Given the group-based structure of SI, the program also allows classmates to connect in a communal setting and collaborate with one another. While lectures may be passive and lecture sizes may be staggering, SI sessions are often much smaller and designed for students to be actively involved.
Who can attend SI?
Any undergraduate student enrolled in a class that SI supports is welcome and encouraged to attend! SI is not a remedial program so all students can benefit from showing up, it is a place to get extra practice that has been prepared for you.
How do I attend a SI session?
Check the SI Schedule to see if/when sessions are offered for your course. Check back regularly as weekly sessions are subject to change periodically. No sign-up or registration is required - come as you are!
What happens during a SI session?
Each SI session is 80-minutes long, offered either in-person or on Zoom, and follows the same structure:
Opening activity: This activity is designed to break the ice and get students interacting with each other, before moving into the content.
Main activities: These activities make up a majority of the session! This is where SI Leaders guide students through course content, using a variety of collaborative techniques and learning strategies.
Closing activity: This activity brings the session to a formal conclusion and helps students identify potential next steps.
SI Leaders are explicitly trained to NOT lecture or give away answers directly; they are there to facilitate the session plan they have created. Do not be surprised if your SI Leader:
Asks lots of questions throughout the session to get students talking - they are checking for student understanding.
Avoids answering your questions directly and instead redirects them to other people and resources - they are empowering students in their learning journey.
Includes intentional pauses after asking or receiving questions - they are giving all students time to process.
Who leads SI sessions?
Undergraduate peer educators, known as SI Leaders, host the weekly sessions! SI Leaders have previously completed the course(s) they support and can provide student-centered support direct from their student perspective. We provide extensive training to our SI Leaders where they learn pedagogical and facilitation skills.
What do SI Leaders do?
Attend lectures each week to see how content is being delivered.
Plan weekly sessions using evidence-based strategies, based on the course’s content delivery and pace.
Facilitate sessions while prioritizing students working primarily with each other.
What don't SI Leaders do?
Act as a professor or TA; the SI Leader role is separate from the teaching team
Grade assignments or proctor exams
Lecture or give direct answers to questions
Review HW during sessions
What SI is not:
SI is not office hours and it is not tutoring. If you are looking for more individualized, tailored support these are more suitable options.
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