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 and are level 1 certified by the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA). During each SI session, SI leaders guide students through course concepts and shares strategies to enhance their success in the course.
![Nankling Andrew](/resources/webspaces/campuslife/dgssc/img_7657.jpg)
Nankling Andrew
BIOL 200: Introduction to Cellular Biology (Section 01) - Dr. Vaughn Gehle
Hometown: Abuja, Nigeria
Major: Biology
Classification: Senior
Fall 2024 schedule coming soon.
![stanger.jpg](/resources/webspaces/campuslife/dgssc/stanger.jpg)
Cadence Van Ede
BIOL 201 and 201L: Introduction to Biodiversity and Evolution and Lab (Section 01 and 31) - Dr. Shelby Flint
Hometown: Garvin, MN
Major: Biology and Psychology Minor
Classification: Sophomore
Fall 2024 schedule coming soon.
![kaelyn-deroche](/resources/webspaces/campuslife/dgssc/kaelyn-deroche.jpg)
Kaelyn DeRoche
CHEM 231: General Chemistry I (Section 01) - Dr. Benjamin Tokheim
Hometown: Superior, WI
Major: Biology
Classification: Senior
Fall 2024 schedule coming soon.
![Martin Olsen](/resources/webspaces/campuslife/dgssc/martinolsen.jpg)
Martin Olsen
COMP165: Fundamentals of Programming (Section 01) - Dr. Kourosh Mortezapour
Hometown: Marshall, MN
Major: Computer Science
Classification: Senior
Sessions: Every Thursday 6:00pm-7:00pm SM274
Office Hours: Every Wednesday 10:00am-11:00am Deeann Griebel Student Success Center (DGSSC)
![Kyra Kusnierek](/resources/webspaces/campuslife/dgssc/kyrakusnierek.jpg)
Kyra Kusnierek
ENG251: Writing in Professions (Section 02) - Dr. Lisa Lucas
Hometown: Eagan, MN
Major: Elementary Education
Classification: Junior
Fall 2024 schedule coming soon.
Shelby Louwagie
ENG 151: Academic Writing (Section 02) - Professor Jessica Hennen
Hometown: Cottonwood, MN
Major: Elementary Education
Classification: Senior
Fall 2024 schedule coming soon.
Alyssa Engels
MATH 150: Calculus I (Section 01) - Dr. Heather Moreland
Hometown: Ivanhoe, MN
Major: Applied Computational Math and Chemistry
Classification: Senior
Fall 2024 schedule coming soon.
Taylor Haberman
MGMT 101: Introduction to Business (Section 88 and 02) - Dr. Heather Rickgarn and Dr. Marsha Grimes-Rose
Hometown: Brewster, MN
Major: Management
Classification: Senior
Fall 2024 schedule coming soon.
Kiley Hillemeier
MGMT221: Computer Concepts and Application (Sections 01, 02 and 88) - Dr. Marsha Grimes-Rose and Professor Heather Earl
Hometown: Olivia, MN
Major: Finance
Classification: Senior
Fall 2024 schedule coming soon.
Arianna Urch
MKTG301: Principles of Marketing (Section 02) - Professor John Rickgarn
Hometown: Courtland, MN
Major: Marketing
Classification: Sophomore
Sessions: Every Tuesday from 12:00pm - 1:00pm Deeann Griebel Student Success Center (DGSSC)
Office Hours: Every Friday from 11:00am - 12:00pm Deeann Griebel Student Success Center (DGSSC)
Jilyanii Sauceda
PSYC 101: General Psychology (Section 02) - Dr. Christine Olson
Hometown: Atwater, MN
Major: Psychology
Classification: Sophomore
Fall 2024 schedule coming soon.
Frequently Asked Questions:
For more information about Supplemental Instruction (SI), please visit: https://info.umkc.edu/si/faq/
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/
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