Frequently Asked Questions by Faculty
Why was my course selected for Supplemental Instruction (SI)?
SI targets historically difficult courses. In other words, the course contains content that many students consider to be challenging. SI is designed to support faculty teaching and is assigned to a course because of difficult content, 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 from this learning assistance program. Faculty will also be required to provide grades for the entire class after each test/essay/project and at the end of the semester.
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 SI faculty member before use, and if possible, provide feedback to the cooperating faculty member if requested to do so.
What should I expect from the SI Program?
The SI staff will work with faculty in evaluating candidates for SI Leaders and in placing leaders only with the approval of the cooperating SI faculty member. The SI staff will also train all SI Leaders according to the program's established guidelines and standards, as well as monitor the learning activities and sessioins of SI Leaders. The SI Coordinator will also supervise study sessions, help plan sessions, provide supplies to the SI Leaders, as well as provide SI faculty with an end-of-term comparative analysis of student performance.