Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a nontraditional form of tutoring that focuses on collaboration, group study, and peer interaction outside of the classroom. Its purpose is to assist students taking traditionally difficult courses, but SI is not a remedial support service.
Because SI benefits students!
Students who participate in SI receive a guided review of course content by an SI leader, a fellow student who has previously excelled in the course. These guided reviews, called SI sessions, provide students with the opportunity to strengthen their understanding of course content and build study skills.
Because SI sessions are student-led and closed to faculty, they create a low-pressure environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, tackling difficult material, and learning from one another. There are many benefits for students participating in SI.
Because SI benefits faculty!
By working with an SI leader who regularly attends class and communicates with the instructor, faculty gain valuable insight into how students are engaging with the material. SI leaders act as a bridge, helping faculty identify common challenges and better support their students’ learning. Together, this partnership strengthens both student success and classroom outcomes.
We ask that faculty place a 15% grading weight on the SI sessions. The points come from assignments or participation in activities that occur during the SI sessions.
As the content expert and instructor of the course, the professor should regularly check in with their SI leader to ensure that the content covered in the sessions are pertinent to upcoming tests/assignments. It is the sole responsibility of the SI leader to plan and facilitate the session, but guidance from faculty will promote stronger session plans.
At the end of every semester, faculty members in the program send their SI course gradebooks to the SI Program Coordinator. This data is used to assess the program.
Please note that under FERPA guidelines, we are permitted to access this data under section 99.31, which allows disclosure of student records to supports instructional improvement & evaluate programs.
An SI leader is a near-peer who has successfully completed the course with an A grade. SI leaders are embedded in a course to provide students with support to understand difficult course concepts and practice effective studying and learning techniques. We typically recommend that the SI leader be selected by the course faculty to ensure effective collaboration. SI leaders undergo robust training that equips them with the ability to guide students successfully. They attend lecture with the students to take notes and stay up-to-date with the course. It is the SI leader’s responsibility to facilitate an engaging study session for the weekly SI sessions. They create a plan for the study session based off faculty guidance and student needs.
Send your recommendation to the Program Coordinator, Tilly Gibb (Tilly.gibb@utahtech.edu)
We implement SI in high-demand, general education classes with high DFW rates (typically greater than 30%) or difficult gateway courses. We coordinator with advisors and administrators to identify the ideal courses for SI implementation.
Want to learn more about the guidelines for SI courses?
