Welcome to the Supplemental Instruction Program!

The Center for Student Achievement is continuing the SI program during the Spring 2013 semester. Designed by researchers in the Center for Academic Development at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, SI is a peer tutoring program used by hundreds of colleges and universities throughout the world. Students who have performed well in courses that are traditionally difficult are nominated by faculty members who teach the courses to be SI leaders. Nominees are then interviewed and selected by the SI Coordinator. SI leaders are paired with an instructor and paid to attend all class sessions and to lead three study sessions outside of  class each week. They are also paid for their preparation time.

• Check out our SI video to hear testimonials of SU students!
• Click here if you are a faculty member.
  

 Spring 2013

 Supplemental Instruction Supported Courses at Salisbury University

(Click on (PDF) for details on the dates and times of SI sessions)

Spring 2013 SI sessions begin February 3, 2013.

Fall 2013 SI Supported Sections (PDF)

Program Highlights

• Attended sessions for Fall 2012 was 5,072 visits.
1. 871 students attended SI sessions throughout the semester.
2. The mean GPA for students attending SI was 2.56 while the mean GPA for students not attending SI was a 2.12.
3. 90% of SI participants agreed that attending SI sessions was beneficial to their learning.
• Our Spring 2012 SI leaders have an average cumulative GPA of 3.49 and in the Fall 2011 semester had an average GPA of 3.53.
• In the Fall of 2011 there were 1,218 SI Sessions held throughout the semester.
• The mean GPA for students attending SI was 3.01 while the mean GPA for students not attending SI was 2.62. 
• During the Fall 2011 semester there were 4,893 SI contact hours.

The job....

The role of the SI leader involves modeling behavior that translates to success in the classroom. By attending the class, the SI leader is able to understand faculty expectations. The SI leader works with the students voluntarily attending study sessions by generating relevant discussions and creating worksheets and test questions that enable students to feel empowered when encountering difficult material. SI leaders participate in extensive training the week before classes begin each semester.

If you have any questions, please contact Heather Porter, Assistant Director for Academic Support & Supplemental Instruction, at hdporter@salisbury.edu.

What is Supplemental Instruction?

Supplemental Instruction is a series of review sessions for students taking historically difficult courses. SI is provided for all students who want to improve their understanding of course material and improve their grades. Attendance at sessions is voluntary. For you the students, it's a chance to get together with people in your class to compare notes, to discuss important concepts, to develop strategies for studying the subject, and to test yourselves before the professor does, so that when he/she does you'll be ready. At each session you will be guided through this material by your SI leader, a competent students who has previously taken the course.

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What's an SI leader?

Have you ever wished you could so something over, knowing what you know now? That's impossible, but you can come close in SI. SI leaders are students themselves and are prepared to share with you what they have learned over the years about how to study. They know the course content and are anxious to help guide you through it. They'll be in class with you every day, hearing what you hear, and reading what you read.  What they won't do is lecture; their job is to help you think about the lectures you hear and the books you read, and then put it all together into some kind of perspective during SI study sessions so you can learn it more efficiently.

When do SI study sessions start?

Currently, SI sessions are scheduled on weeknight evenings. However, on the first day of class you will fill out a short survey to let the SI leader know your class schedule. Each SI leader will set up two or more study sessions a week at times that are best for the majority of you. You can attend one or all of them (the choice is yours) and each one will be different because you'll have new material to discuss. SI study sessions are informal. Bring your notes; bring your textbooks; bring your questions.

What's in it for me?

If you attend SI sessions regularly, chances are you'll earn a better grade. You'll have developed a better understanding of course content as well as more effective ways of studying. This will help you in other classes as well.

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