Defintion
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an academic assistance program that utilizes peer-assisted study sessions. SI sessions are regularly-scheduled, informal review sessions in which students compare notes, discuss readings, develop organizational tools and predict test items. Students learn how to integrate course content and study skills while working together. The sessions are facilitated by “SI leaders,” students who have previously done well in the course and who attend all class lectures, take notes and act as model students.
Purpose
The purpose of Supplemental Instruction is to increase retention within targeted historically difficult courses, improve student grades in targeted historically difficult courses and increase the graduation rates of students.
Participants
SI is a “free service” offered to all students in a targeted course. SI is a non remedial approach to learning as the program targets high-risk courses rather than high-risk students. All students are encouraged to attend SI sessions, as it is a voluntary program. Students with varying levels of academic preparedness and diverse ethnicities participate. There is no remedial stigma attached to SI since the program targets high-risk courses rather than high-risk students.
Take a look at the SI-Times to find out more about Supplemental Instruction Study Sessions you can attend!