Supplemental Instruction:  for students

What is Supplemental Instruction (SI)?

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a program that provides review sessions for students enrolled in difficult General Education courses. Each year, over 7,000 students participate in SI. Our research has shown that USU students who regularly attend SI sessions earn better grades and withdraw from classes less often than students who choose not to participate.

SI sessions are run by student SI leaders who have demonstrated proficiency in the course content and who have received training in a variety of active learning strategies and techniques. SI sessions are scheduled 2-3 times per week for one hour each session, during which students are encouraged to think about, question, and confirm their understanding of the class material (lecture, labs, and text readings). SI leaders also model and teach effective study strategies that a student can apply to any class. This is accomplished through active learning methods, small group work, and practice quizzes.

What can I expect from SI?

  • A higher grade. Students who attend SI earn, on average, a final course grade.4 higher than students who do not attend SI
  • Answers to your questions. SI leaders love to answer your questions.
  • Materials to aid you in the course such as: study guides, practice quizzes, lecture outlines, etc.
  • Better understanding of course concepts. SI leaders present the same concepts in new ways to help you more fully understand what you are learning.
  • Improved study skills for the course. Strategies are taught by an SI leader who was successful in the course.
  • Friends. SI is a great way to get to know classmates and learn from each other.

What won’t happen in SI sessions?

  • Repeat lectures of course material. The focus of SI is to help you learn material in new ways. SI will not replace your professorıs lectures.
  • Test answers. SI helps you have a complete understanding of the course material so you will be better prepared for your future.

What are my responsibilities if I attend SI sessions?

  • Arrive on time.
  • Bring course materials such as: textbooks, lecture notes, etc.
  • Participate asking questions, answering questions, participating in group learning activities, taking notes, etc.
  • Respect other students and the SI leader.
  • Have fun, make friends, and learn!

Student Comments about the SI Program:

  • I didn't go to the SI sessions before the first exam and I noticed a big difference in my essay scores the second exam.
  • My exams scores went up almost 35 points after I started going to the SI's.
  • SI helped me more than any other type of study.
  • I study better in groups, so I liked it. I also appreciated the opportunity to teach others a concept in the session. This helped me a lot.
  • It was very helpful to hear the information again in different words. It helped me to make more sense of the material.
  • I liked how the size of the sessions was small. It created a better learning environment.
  • I liked how SI covered text book stuff that we were tested on, but we didn't go over in class.
  • The study guides and quizzes were very helpful in covering and reviewing course material.

Student Comments about SI Leaders:

  • I liked how the SI leader asked questions to get us involved in finding the answers.
  • The SI leader had a lot of enthusiasm, which made me excited about this subject.
  • My SI leader was very easy to ask questions and express opinions to.
  • The SI leader didn't act like she was better than us. She explained things well and told us about types of questions that may show up on the tests. She also went over things that I didn't catch or forgot.
  • The SI leadersı unique style made learning science fun and easy.
  • The SI leader gave excellent explanations that helped clear up many of my questions.
  • The SI leader actually made learning fun.