Faculty FAQs

What is SI?

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an academic resource designed to help students succeed in historically difficult courses. SI offers regularly scheduled study sessions where students work collaboratively to break down complex topics. Study sessions are led by SI Leaders, undergraduate students, who have already taken the class and succeeded. SI Leaders attend all class lectures, take notes, meet with their assigned faculty member, plan for study sessions, and lead study sessions. 

In the spring of 2019, our program statistics showed that students who attended SI had higher percentages of As, Bs, and Cs than students who did not attend SI. Further, faculty who have worked with SI have found it to be very beneficial for students. Dr. Carskadon recently said of his five semesters of involvement with SI, "SI helps my students do their best. It really works! It adds nothing to my workload, yet it improves student performancea win-win all the way around."

How can I get SI for my class?

Feel free to contact SI Supervisor, Chelsey Vincent. She will be happy to answer questions you have about adding SI to your class. 

Is SI effective?

Our Spring 2019 data showed that students who came to SI averaged higher percentages of students who made As, Bs, and Cs compared to those who did not attend SI. 

Biology- The average percentage of students who came to SI and made As, Bs, and Cs was 12% higher than students who did not attend SI.

Chemistry II- The average percentage of students who came to SI and made As, Bs, and Cs was 9% higher than students who did not attend SI.

Engineering Mechanics- The average percentage of students who came to SI and made As, Bs, and Cs was 16% higher than students who did not attend SI.

Mathematics- The average percentage of students who came to SI and made As, Bs, and Cs was 4% higher than students who did not attend SI.

Psychology- The average percentage of students who came to SI and made As, Bs, and Cs was 5% higher than students who did not attend SI.

How time consuming is having SI in my class?

The only additional time commitment would be to meet weekly with your SI Leader about 30 minutes each week.

I have seen "SI" on the Master Class Schedule. What does it mean?

It means that an SI Leader has been assigned to that particular section. SI Leaders are students who have completed a class with a very high grade. The Learning Center has hired the SI Leader to retake the class and hold study sessions twice a week for anyone enrolled in the course. 

What is discussed at SI Sessions?

SI Leaders focus on the most difficult concepts in SI Sessions. SI Leaders meet weekly with their assigned faculty member to discuss the content covered in their sessions. SI Leaders also discuss helpful study skills that students can use to be more successful. 

How are SI Leaders selected?

An application is opened around the mid-point of each semester. The application is sent to students who have taken the class associated with the open SI Leader position. Applications are reviewed by the SI Supervisor, Mentors, and Leaders. Applicants are selected to interview with the SI Supervisor, Mentors, and Leaders. Faculty are asked to complete a recommendation form of applicants. the information gathered from the faculty recommendation form is weighted very heavily. An SI Leader is selected using the information above. 

What makes SI unique?

SI is connected a specific section of a course. The SI Leader attends class and keeps up with the content covered. SI Leaders plan for their study sessions and meet with their faculty member to discuss the content that will be covered in sessions. Attendance is anonymous-known only by the SI staff and other students in sessions. 

How long has SI been in existence?

SI was created in 1973 by Dr. Deanna Martin at UMKC. The program at MSU follows the model set by UMKC and has been certified by the International Center for Supplemental Instruction. SI was piloted at MSU during the 2014-2015 school year and officially began in the fall of 2015. 

How is the effectiveness of SI tracked?

Students who attend SI are asked to sign in. SI Leaders log their attendance into the Student Success Portal (SSP- created by Dr. Rodney Pearson). When progress grades and final grades are entered, the SI Supervisor will create a report comparing the grades of students who attended SI to the grades of students who did not attend SI. This report will be shared with the faculty member. An example of the report that will be shared with the faculty member can be found here.