FAQ’s and More Information about the SI Program:

What is SI?

Supplemental Instruction is a program instituted at universities nationwide, and students who participate regularly throughout the semester have been found, statistically, to have greater success rates in the course for which SI is offered.  SI is offered in those classes that have high rates of enrollment and high rates of D's, F's, or withdrawals.  At the University of Vermont, the courses with which SI is affiliated has traditionally been large lecture classes in the sciences and Economics.

The program's success hinges on the merits of targeted practice and review of class material and the increased level of engagement with this material that communication within small-group study provides.  SI leaders attend lecture and take notes along with students, then prepare two, hour-long review sessions each week that focus on key skills and concepts presented.  The sessions are further beneficial for students, however, in that they often incorporate valuable study skills, techniques, or strategies within practical applications of the course material.  In addition to fostering collaborative learning, that which is most effective in terms of retention of new knowledge, the program integrates how to learn with what to learn.  These SI sessions allow students the opportunity to ask questions, review notes, and prepare for exams in a relaxed environment. SI works best for students who attend regularly and are prepared to discuss current material.

 

Who is my SI Leader and how were they chosen?

Each SI session is facilitated by an SI Leader.  For the current list of leaders, check the SI schedule <Link directly to L8>  Supplemental Instruction Leaders work within the peer-tutoring model embraced by the Learning Co-op.  As students, they have taken the course for which they are leading SI (or an appropriate equivalent) and received a minimum grade of a B+.  In addition, each leader must receive a recommendation by the faculty in the department ensuring their knowledge of the material and is trained to facilitate student-to-student dialogue and connect study skills appropriate to the targeted course material before beginning work with the Learning Co-op.  Often, SI Leaders have previously worked and continue to work as Subject-Area tutors in this discipline with the Learning Co-op.

 

How do I know if my course offers SI?

The first week of classes, a SI Leader will make a 5 to 10 minute presentation in your class. You can check the current SI schedule <Link directly to L8> to see if SI is offered for your course.  (Be sure to also check your course section because not all sections offer SI.)

 

What actually goes on during a SI session?

SI Leaders come to a session prepared to help you make the most of your study time.  They have designed a worksheet or group activity related to recent material covered in the lecture. The goal is to have students become involved with the material and also introduce good study skills and habits. Some activities may include a practice quiz, vocabulary building games, creating review sheets, or collectively working on problems on the board. You will be working on course material so make sure that you bring your book, notes, and any other material that you may need to use as a resource.

 

When do SI sessions start?

SI sessions start the first week of classes. Check the current SI schedule <Link directly to L8> or listen for your SI Leader to announce the times in class.

 

SI is offered twice a week. How many sessions should I attend?

SI is free, voluntary, and each session is different so you should attend as often as you like. In fact, national statistics show that students who attend regularly earn one half to a whole letter grade higher than students that have not attended at all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last modified April 08 2011 03:17 PM