Tell me and I forget
Show me and I remember
Involve me and I understand
Ancient Chinese Proverb
SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION (SI)
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a learning enhancement program that targets historically difficult courses.
SI is driven primarily by SI leaders who act as facilitators for a collaborative learning process that aims at
helping learners to empower themselves on the road to becoming independent learners. SI is designed to
support faculty teaching and is assigned to a subject because of what is being taught, not because of the
manner in which it is being taught.
OUR MISSION:
To provide an environment that improves learning and increases retention of all students enrolled in the
SI – linked courses.
OUR OBJECTIVES:
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To develop independent and active learners
To increasing student skills in comprehension, analysis, critical thinking, and problem solving
To integrating review of course content with study skills and learning strategies
To increasing re-enrollment and graduation rate
To reduce time taken to graduate
To lower the attrition rate
To provide students with a systematic and disciplined approach for processing the subject
material assigned by the lecturer
To organize and improve the ways in which students prepare for class
What is the role of the SI Leader?
The SI Leader's primary purpose is to connect course content by involving students in sharing class
notes, solving problems, using handouts, taking practice tests and exams and reviewing study skills. In
SI, students connect what-to-learn with how-to-learn. SI Leaders help students become effective
independent learners.
What will the lecturers be required to do?
SI is not intended to create additional work for lecturers. The lecturer is asked to recommend potential SI
leaders, several undergraduate or post graduate students who have recently been successful in the
course. Upon selection of one of these students the lecturer is asked to support SI by maintaining liaison
with the student leader throughout the semester.
Lecturers 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. Lecturers should avoid the suggestion that
only those who do poorly will benefit. At the end of the semester, a full report will be provided to the
faculty.