Supplemental Instruction

What is Supplemental Instruction?

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a valuable academic support program tailored specifically to students in challenging courses. Designed to address traditionally difficult subjects and those with high rates of D, F, and W grades, SI offers a proactive approach to academic success. At the core of SI are the sessions led by trained undergraduate SI Leaders, who review course materials and actively engage in online class activities. These sessions are not your typical lectures; they are dynamic, interactive gatherings where students delve into course content, discuss readings, and develop crucial organizational and study skills. SI sessions provide a platform where students collaborate, integrate course content with effective study techniques, and prepare comprehensively for examinations.
Through regular attendance at SI sessions, students can expect to experience a tangible improvement in their academic performance. Studies have consistently shown that those who engage with SI typically earn final grades at least one letter grade higher than their peers who do not participate. Thus, SI serves as a voluntary yet highly effective resource for students aiming to excel academically in their courses.

Who can attend SI Sessions?

• Open to all students enrolled in the course: Regardless of academic standing or background, any student currently enrolled in the course is welcome to attend SI sessions. It's an inclusive resource available to all.
• No additional cost: There are no fees associated with attending SI sessions. It's a free resource provided by the university to support student success.

What are the benefits of SI?

• Can raise your grade by one letter grade or more: Engaging with SI can result in a significant improvement in final grades, often elevating them by a full letter grade or more.
• Provides guaranteed study time with peers and SI Leader: SI offers structured study sessions where students can collaborate with peers and receive guidance from the SI Leader, ensuring dedicated study time in a supportive environment.
• Helps motivate by increasing knowledge and confidence: Through interactive learning experiences and expert support, SI boosts students' understanding of course material while enhancing their confidence and motivation to succeed.
• Offers fun learning experiences: SI sessions are designed to be engaging and enjoyable, incorporating various activities and approaches to make learning effective and enjoyable.

Who are the SI leaders?

• Undergraduate students recommended by instructors: SI Leaders are undergraduate students who have demonstrated proficiency in the course and are recommended by instructors to lead study sessions.
• Conduct two study sessions per week and hold office hours: SI Leaders facilitate regular study sessions and are available to provide additional support during designated office hours.
• Encourage group learning and provide support: SI Leaders foster a collaborative learning environment, encouraging group participation and providing guidance and assistance to students.

What is Supplemental Instruction?

The SI program addresses historically challenging courses by providing out-of-class, peer-facilitated sessions. Instead of targeting specific students, it focuses on classes with a history of difficulty. Sessions start in the first week of the term, with flexible Zoom schedules for student convenience.

SI Leaders, proficient in the course and facilitation, lead diverse sessions, emphasizing inclusivity. Continuous training ensures leaders are well-equipped, integrating learning strategies seamlessly. Regular meetings between leaders and managers reinforce skill mastery.

Students benefit from mastering learning strategies, with SI Leaders collaborating closely with faculty for tailored support. SI emphasizes holistic educational enhancement, aiming to improve graduation rates and cultivate independent, successful learners.

For faculty, SI enhances student readiness, assessment, and connection with student needs, maintaining academic standards. Participants experience improved learning, focused reviews, engaging sessions, networking opportunities, and academic performance boosts.

Faculty Role

Faculty support is crucial for the success of the SI Program. When students perceive faculty and SI Leaders as a team, participation increases significantly. However, we understand faculty's busy schedules and do not expect them to commit more than they can. SI aims to save faculty time, not add to their workload.

The requirements for faculty involvement in SI include initiating a personal connection with SI Leaders, granting them access to course materials on Canvas, introducing SI prominently in the course, promoting SI sessions, collaborating regularly with SI Leaders, strategically selecting SI Leaders, integrating them into course activities, providing access to resources, and clarifying grading and exam oversight guidelines.

SI Leader Role

SI Leaders play a pivotal role in facilitating effective SI Sessions:

• They prepare thoroughly by reviewing all course materials.
• They conduct two weekly sessions and hold office hours for personalized assistance.
• They actively engage with students to create a supportive learning environment.
• They collaborate with faculty to align session strategies with course objectives.
• They undergo comprehensive training in group facilitation, collaborative learning, assessment techniques, study skills strategies, and interactive session activities.

However, SI Leaders are restricted from tasks that could compromise their neutrality in the course, such as grading, test construction, assignment creation, or serving as a TA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Offer Extra Credit to Students Who Participate in SI Sessions?

Yes, you may offer extra credit to students participating in SI Sessions. We recommend implementing a tiered system to encourage consistent attendance and maximize the benefits derived from SI sessions.

An Extra Credit Example:

Students who regularly attend SI sessions can earn extra credit based on their attendance throughout the semester using the following scale:

• 1-3 sessions: two points
• 4-9 sessions: five points
• 10-12 sessions: eight points
• 13 or more sessions: ten points

What Can I Do if I Know Students Who Would Make Great SI Leaders in the Future?

If you know of outstanding current or former undergraduate students who would excel as Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leaders, we encourage you to motivate them to apply once our applications open. For any inquiries about the role, feel free to contact Katie Wayt. Alternatively, you can email Katie Wayt to confirm that we have them included in our list of students to notify about application details. Experience has shown that students are more inclined to apply when personally encouraged by a faculty member.

Moreover, during our application window, typically mid-semester of the preceding semester, we will seek your valuable nominations. Your support plays a crucial role in identifying candidates who can make a significant impact as SI Leaders.

How Can I Encourage My Students to Take Advantage of SI?

Here are some ways faculty members have promoted SI to students and encouraged their participation in SI Sessions:

• Promote SI to all students in their class, not just those struggling, since students of all levels learn from each other by attending SI.
• Include information about SI on their course syllabi.
• Post announcements about SI on Canvas and other course platforms/materials.
• Make announcements about SI Sessions in addition to or with the SI Leader when they make announcements and reminders of SI Sessions.
• Collaborate with the SI Leader to find creative ways to market the session to students in the class.

Can I Attend SI Sessions?

Faculty members typically do not participate in SI Sessions, as their presence can alter the session's dynamics. The atmosphere tends to shift to resemble a traditional classroom setting, leading students to direct their inquiries toward the instructor rather than engaging with the SI Leader. The SI Program was designed to provide discreet academic support for students, as it operates on an optional and voluntary basis. Maintaining anonymity during session participation mitigates any potential advantage—real or perceived—that attendees might have over those who desire to join but face scheduling constraints.

For those curious about the content covered in SI Sessions, please inquire with your SI Leader or contact the SI Manager. If you wish to observe an SI Session in action for a different class, kindly express your interest by emailing Katie Wayt to make the necessary arrangements.

Who Do I Contact if I Notice My SI Leader Is Not Modeling Appropriate Behavior?

SI Leaders should always inform their faculty and students of any canceled or rescheduled SI Sessions ahead of time. If you notice your SI Leader arriving late, leaving early, or demonstrating disruptive or inappropriate behavior, please contact the SI Manager, Katie Wayt, or feel free to reach out on Teams. We encourage faculty to loop us in as soon as an issue arises so that we may address it immediately.

Am I guaranteed SI support each semester?

SI support is not guaranteed and depends on several factors, including SI session attendance, departmental approval, the availability of SI Leaders who meet the program requirements, and the ability to match applicants with courses based on their schedules. If possible, we will do our best to match students with faculty who recommend and request them. Still, we also take into consideration all the SI Leaders’ availability, and if a leader you recommend is available for multiple courses and another SI Leader is only available for your class, we reserve the right to make those scheduling decisions to ensure the employment of as many of our SI Leaders as we can.

How much work will it be for me to have SI support?

SI is maintained and coordinated through IU Online’s Office of Collaborative Academic Programs.

Will I have to change my teaching style?

No! SI helps students learn how to be successful in your course and will support your style. The SI Leader will provide you with student feedback weekly. Because the leader regularly meets with the students in a smaller group, the SI Leader may have insight into concepts troubling students, misunderstood test questions, or unclear assignments. If you would like, your SI Leader can share this information with you.

What is the SI leader NOT permitted to do?

The SI Leader is not a teacher or a teaching assistant (TA). The leader is not permitted to lecture for you, construct exam questions, proctor exams, grade exams or papers, or determine a student’s grade. The SI Leader needs to maintain their peer status among the students in the class. 

How is the SI Program evaluated?

International SI data indicates that students who regularly attend SI produce a significantly lower rate of unsuccessful completions (Ds, Fs, and Ws) and achieve higher average course grades.

• SI Student Evaluation—students enrolled in an SI-supported class evaluate the SI Leader and the SI Program at the end of each semester.
• SI Leader Self-Assessment—SI Leaders provide self-assessments of their work at the end of each semester.
• Faculty Assessment—At the end of the semester, we will send you a survey to gather feedback on your experience with the supplemental instruction program.
• End of Semester Data—Students' final grade comparison between attending versus not attending SI Sessions, percent of class attending SI sessions, total SI contact hours, and average SI session size.

Are you interested in becoming an SI Leader?

SI Leader Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled at an Indiana University campus or an IU college graduate no more than two semesters post-graduation.
• Recommendation by the professor, preferably from the targeted SI course.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and leadership skills.
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
• Earned a minimum grade of ‘B’ in the targeted SI course(s).
• Great interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work with diverse populations.
• A desire to facilitate other students’ learning and address student needs.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with tutoring or group study.
• Responsibilities
• Review all course materials, take notes, and act as a model student.
• Inform students of the purpose and benefits of Supplemental Instruction.
• Lead two weekly SI sessions, one hour each, for the semester.
• Hold a minimum of one office hour a week.
• Conduct sessions utilizing a variety of collaborative learning strategies and learning strategies.
• Meet weekly with the course instructor to discuss student/faculty concerns, course objectives, and the effectiveness of the SI program.
• Participate in SI team meetings during the semester; participate in debriefing sessions after observations.
• Promote SI regularly through classroom announcements and messages to students to encourage them to participate.
• Participate and complete mandatory SI Leader Training and ongoing training.
• Assist in training new SI Leaders after successfully completing one semester as an SI Leader.
• Assist with administrative duties and data collection (attendance sheets, student surveys, planning sheets, etc.)

Terms of Employment

This is an hourly, or part-time, employment opportunity with Indiana University that is paid on a biweekly schedule. Hourly appointees may work up to a maximum of 29 hours/week across all Indiana University part-time jobs. The job duties for this SI Leader position are anticipated at 10-14 hours/week, as noted above.

SI Leaders must live and work from the United States of America and keep an updated remote work arrangement on file in accordance with University policy HR-06-80. Out-of-state remote work arrangements require advance consultation due to differing tax and labor laws.

Appointment may renew each semester, contingent upon satisfactory performance of all job duties and responsibilities.

Application Process

The application window is now closed for the Fall 2024 semester. Please check back in November for Spring 2025 SI Leader opportunities.