Faculty Involvement
Instructors are an essential component of the Supplemental Instruction (SI) program at the University of North Georgia
 
Supplemental Instruction Leaders are not Teaching Assistants. To clarify, please review this comparison of SI Leaders and TAs form from Iowa State.
 
Supplemental Instruction is also different than Tutoring. This comparison of SI Leaders and Tutors clarifies how students are served differently by each program.
 
If you're interested in working with the SI program please contact the director by using the information provided at the bottom of this page.  Other information can also be found here:
 
Program Overview
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an academic support program utilizing peer-assisted study sessions to enhance student performance and retention. SI was first developed by Deanna Martin, Ph.D., at the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1973. In 1992, Iowa State University established a SI program targeting traditionally difficult entry-level courses that result in a high percentage of D or F grades and withdrawal rates. Since its implementation, students who have attended SI sessions earned statistically significant higher final course grades and drop out of courses less frequently than non-participants.
SI offers regularly scheduled study sessions to assist students with course content and study skills. In addition, students have an opportunity to work together to compare notes, discuss readings, develop organizational tools, and predict exam questions. The SI sessions are facilitated by SI Leaders. SI Leaders are current students who have demonstrated academic competency in the subject area, and are trained in facilitating group activities using collaborative learning methods.
Key Elements of Supplemental Instruction
  • SI identifies traditionally difficult academic courses rather than high risk students; SI is not a remedial academic program.
  • SI provides an opportunity for students to learn how to learn while learning what to learn.
  • Participation in SI is voluntary, free, and open to all students in the course.
  • SI Leaders attend all lectures for targeted course. (An alternative is arranged for web-based courses.)
  • SI Leaders are trained in group facilitation methods, student learning theory, and study techniques.
  • SI program is supervised by a trained professional staff member from the Academic Success Center.
  • The SI program is only offered in classes in which the academic department supports SI.
  • SI sessions begin the 2nd week of classes after students have given input as to when sessions will be scheduled.
  • SI Leaders facilitate and encourage the group to process the material. Leaders are not considered experts in the subjects and they do not relecture to participants.
Research and Assessment
Data collected by the Center for Supplemental Instruction at the University of Missouri-Kansas City from 719 institutions in the United States and 146 institutions in twelve other countries demonstrates two key findings:
  1. Students participating in SI earn higher course grades and withdraw less often than non-SI participants.
  2. The more sessions a student attends, the higher the final course grade.
At the University of North Georgia, the Supplemental Instruction program began in 2006.  Since then, data collected has supported the national trends.  We are in the process currently of forming an extensive study in order to determine the affects of the SI program for the core courses.  To obtain data SI staff may be requesting test grades to examine how SI affects students throughout the course and not just after the final exam.  Once the report has been completed it will be available for all faculty and staff. 
 
As we move forward, there will be more assessment and research conducted. We welcome interest from faculty members who would like to partner with us on a project. Additional reports about SI at UNG are available by request.
 
 
Please contact Amy Sherman, Director of Supplemental Instruction, at X-3476 or amy.sherman@ung.edu with any questions or concerns.
 
 

*page adapted from Iowa State University