Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental Instruction (SI) involves utilizing a model student-peer who has recently and successfully completed a course to attend the course a second time and lead peer-facilitated study sessions over the course content outside of regular class hours. Since 1973, the data supporting the effectiveness of SI has remained consistent; on average, students who regularly attend SI sessions earn half to a full letter grade higher and earn D’s, F’s, and withdraw from courses less frequently than students who do not attend SI sessions (Dawson, 2014). Additionally, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, after years of implementing their supplemental instruction program, reported a 7.8 percentage point overall increase in retention and $1.6 million return on investment (Civitas Learning, 2019).
SI sessions are beneficial because they help students:
- Improve their understanding of basic concepts
- Compare notes with others
- Build relationships with classmates
- Develop study and learning strategies
- Test their knowledge before the professor does
SI sessions start the first or second week of class. Each SI leader will hold one review session per week. SI sessions are free. Students are encouraged to attend as many as they'd like; however, statistics show that the more students attend, the better their grades at the end of the semester.
SI Leaders:
SI leaders are current students who have been recommended by faculty that have previously earned a high grade in the course they have been hired to support. They attend class lectures, take notes, and are prepared to coach students on how to effectively study. SI leaders receive training and ongoing supervision from the Coordinator of Academic Support Services to enhance their skills on how to be an effective facilitator. During each SI session, SI leaders guide students through course concepts and shares strategies to enhance their success in the course.
Morgan Hughes
BIOL 200 (Section 01) - Dr. Tony Greenfield
Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
Major: Biology
Classification: Senior
Office Hour: Thursdays 12pm-1pm IL 224 (Deeann Griebel Student Success Center)
Sarah McDonald
BIOL 201 (Section 01) / BIOL 201 Lab (Section 31) - Dr. Shelby Flint
Hometown: Prior Lake, MN
Major: Biology Ed and Chemistry Ed
Classification: Junior
Sessions: Thursdays 11am-12pm SM 175
Office Hour: Wednesday 7-8pm IL 224 (Deeann Griebel Student Success Center)
George Wolf
ECON 202 (Section 01) - Dr. Steve Davis
Hometown: Plymouth, MN
Major: Accounting
Classification: Senior
Sessions: Mondays from 11am-12pm in BA 319
Office Hour: Wednesdays and Fridays 11am-12pm IL 224 (Deeann Griebel Student Success Center)
Amanda Meyer
ENG 251 (Sections 04 & 05) - Dr. Amanda Bemer
Hometown: Paynesville, MN
Major: English Education
Classification: Senior
Sessions: Wednesdays 4-5pm BA 229
Office Hour: Tuesdays 2-3pm IL 224 (Deeann Griebel Student Success Center)
Alyssa Engels
MATH 135 (Section 01) - Dr. Heather Moreland
Hometown: Ivanhoe, MN
Major: Applied Computational Math and Chemistry
Classification: Junior
Sessions: Tuesdays 5-6pm SS 202
Office Hour: Thursdays 5-6pm IL 224 (Deeann Griebel Student Success)
Lesly Her
MATH 200 (Sections 01 & 02) - Dr. Wije Wijesiri
Hometown: Milroy, MN
Major: Liberal Arts and Sciences
Classification: Sophomore
Sessions will be held in IL 224 (Deeann Griebel Student Success Center) on the below dates:
- March 17 11:40am-12:40pm
- March 22 2pm-3pm
- March 29 2pm-3pm
- April 6 12:15pm-1:15pm
- April 13 3pm-4pm
Office Hours will be held in IL 224 (Deeann Griebel Student Success Center) on the below dates:
- March 14 12:15pm-1:15pm
- March 21 12:15pm-1:15pm
- March 28 12:15pm-1:15pm
- April 4 12:15pm-1:15pm
- April 10 2pm-3pm
Taylor Haberman
MGMT 101 (Sections 01 & 88) - Dr. Heather Rickgarn
Hometown: Brewster, MN
Major: Management
Classification: Sophomore
Sessions and Office Hours will be held on the below dates and times in IL 224 (Deeann Griebel Student Success Center):
- February 3 Office Hour 8:50-9:50am Session 9:50-10:50am
- February 9 Session 1-2pm Office Hour 2-3pm
- February 17 Office Hour 8:50-9:50am Session 9:50-10:50am
- February 23 Session 1-2pm Office Hour 2-3pm
- March 3 Office Hour 8:50-9:50am Session 9:50-10:50am
- March 16 Session 1-2pm Office Hour 2-3pm
- March 24 Office Hour 8:50-9:50am Session 9:50-10:50am
- March 30 Session 1-2pm Office Hour 2-3pm
- April 7 Office Hour 8:50-9:50am Session 9:50-10:50
- April 13 Session 1-2pm Office Hour 2-3pm
- April 21 Office Hour 8:50-9:50am Session 9:50-10:50am
- April 27 Session 1-2pm Office Hour 2-3pm
Macie Langstraat
PSYC 101 (Sections 01 & 03) - Dr. Laura Koenig & Dr. Ben Anderson
Hometown: Ankeny, IA
Major: Psychology
Classification: Junior
Sessions: Section 01 - Wednesdays 12-1pm SS 206 (NOTE: every other week will meet on Zoom)
Sessions: Section 03 - Tuesdays 1:30-2:30pm Zoom
Office Hour: Thursdays 1:30-2:30pm SS 206 and Zoom
Frequently Asked Questions:
If you have any questions or are interested in participating in SMSU's Supplemental Instruction program, please contact:
Hannah Kuno
Coordinator of Academic Support Services
Hannah.Kuno@SMSU.edu
507-537-6820
Dr. Laura Koenig
SI Faculty Liaison
Laura.Koenig@SMSU.edu
507-537-7315
References:
Civitas Learning (2019). Measuring Supplemental Instruction Direct Impact on Persistence. https://media.civitaslearning.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/Civitas_Learning _University_Missouri_Kansas_City_CASE_STUDY_Impact.pdf
Dawson, P., van der Meer, J., Skalicky, J., & Cowley, K. (2014). On the effectiveness of supplemental instruction: A systematic review of supplemental instruction and peer-assisted study sessions literature between 2001 and 2010. Review of Educational Research, 84(4). https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654314540007
University of Missouri-Kansas City FAQ. The International Center for Supplemental Instruction. (n.d.). Retrieved December 19, 2022, from https://info.umkc.edu/si/faq/
Last Modified: 3/15/23 5:05 PM | Website Feedback