UMKC Supplemental Instruction

Summary

The International Centre for Supplemental Instruction (SI) offers an alternative approach to academic support, providing a collaborative learning environment that helps students reinforce material, improve study habits, and increase academic success. SI focuses on high-risk courses with high DFW rates, offering free sessions to all students. By fostering active learning, collaboration, and confidence-building, SI has proven to enhance engagement and retention, contributing to higher grades and better overall outcomes. With over 40 years of success, SI has expanded globally, helping students in institutions across 30 countries.

Takeaways

• 😀 SI (Supplemental Instruction) is an academic assistance program designed to help students succeed in challenging courses without being traditional tutoring. It focuses on understanding and reinforcing class material.
• 😀 SI sessions are not about homework help but instead focus on reinforcing concepts learned in class and offering a comfortable environment to ask questions and clarify doubts.
• 😀 SI provides an inclusive environment for students of all skill levels, encouraging everyone to attend regardless of whether they are struggling or not.
• 😀 The SI program has shown a positive impact on student engagement and academic performance, with participants tending to have higher grades than non-participants.
• 😀 SI was established at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1973, initially targeting high-risk courses to address the challenges faced by students in these subjects.
• 😀 High-risk courses are identified by their high DFW rate (the rate of Ds, Fs, and withdrawals), which helps determine where SI sessions can be most effective.
• 😀 The SI slogan, 'Tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I understand,' highlights the importance of active student involvement in the learning process.
• 😀 SI leaders, who have previously taken the course, act as facilitators, using collaborative learning techniques to enhance the understanding of the material and encourage peer interactions.
• 😀 SI helps students build confidence in their academic abilities, increasing retention rates and motivating them to stay in school.
• 😀 Research indicates that students who study in groups through SI learn two and a half times more than those who study alone, provided the group remains focused and on task.
• 😀 Over the past 40 years, SI has expanded globally, serving students in over 3500 institutions across 30 countries, offering training and workshops to schools interested in implementing the program.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of Supplemental Instruction (SI)?

The main purpose of Supplemental Instruction (SI) is to provide an alternative approach to academic assistance for all students in their coursework, particularly those in high-risk courses that historically have low passing rates.

How does Supplemental Instruction differ from tutoring?

SI is not tutoring. While tutoring typically focuses on reviewing homework and individual assignments, SI involves group sessions where students work collaboratively to reinforce lecture material, with the focus on active learning strategies.

What makes SI sessions a comfortable environment for students?

SI sessions are designed to create a comfortable and non-threatening environment where students can ask questions without the pressure often felt in class, fostering a sense of community and peer support.

How does participating in SI improve student outcomes?

Students who participate in SI tend to have higher grades and a greater mastery of course material. They also become more engaged in class, which contributes to better academic performance compared to those who do not attend SI sessions.

Are SI sessions free for students?

Yes, SI sessions are completely free to students, encouraging participation regardless of a student’s academic background or skill level.

What is the DFW rate, and how does it relate to SI?

The DFW rate refers to the percentage of students who receive grades of D, F, or withdraw from a course. SI targets high-risk courses with a historically high DFW rate to help improve student retention and success.

What is the SI slogan, and what does it represent?

The SI slogan is 'Tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I understand.' This slogan highlights the active learning approach used in SI, where students are encouraged to engage deeply with the material for better understanding.

How does being an SI leader benefit the leader themselves?

As an SI leader, students not only reinforce their own understanding of the material but also develop leadership and communication skills. They get to model effective student behaviors and build connections with faculty and peers.

How does Supplemental Instruction help with student retention?

SI helps with retention by boosting students' confidence in their ability to learn, motivating them to continue their studies, and improving their academic outcomes, which in turn encourages them to stay in school.

What is the global reach of Supplemental Instruction?

Supplemental Instruction has expanded internationally, serving students in over 3,500 institutions across 30 countries, including Australia, Sweden, South Africa, and Canada.