Center for Academic Excellence

• HAWK Alert Program
• Probation and Suspension
• Academic Resource Mentors
• Supplemental Instruction
• Tutoring Program
• Resource Learning Lab
• Staff

 

Frequently Asked Questions by Faculty

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 specific 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 class to keep up with the subject content being presented and to model effective student practices and attitudes. The SI leader schedules and conducts three to five group meetings 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. 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 will I be required to do?
SI is not intended to create additional work for faculty. You can support SI by granting time for occasional in-class announcements and be supportive of the program by encouraging students to take advantage of SI. Faculty should avoid the suggestion that only those who do poorly will benefit. Additionally, we will be in contact with you about the following aspects of the program:

• Assisting us in selecting and approving candidates for SI leaders for your subject;
• Assisting us by providing information for SI program evaluation: a copy of the official class roster, copy of grades after the first exam, midterm grades and at the conclusion of the subject. Note: Institutional approval has been given to collect this data and students’ rights to privacy regarding this information will be fully protected.

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?
That we 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, consultations for SI leaders; provide cooperating faculty with an end-of-term comparative analysis of student performance.

 

                             Modified from the Supplemental Instruction Manual, University of Missouri, 2006

For more information please contact the SI Coordinator - Cynthia Torok: Email Ms. Torok or call 910.775.4311

 

Updated: Wednesday, November 9, 2011

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