Behind the Scenes of SI

SI targets historically difficult courses—those that have high withdrawal rates, as well as high rates of D and F grades (~30%)

SI Sessions are free and voluntary for all undergraduate students enrolled in the courses for which we offer SI

SILs (SI Leaders) are the facilitators of the sessions

SILs have previously taken the course and have excelled in it (B+ or better)

SI is comprised of students with varying abilities and we make every effort to get students working together to assist each other with the content. (No students should be segregated based on ability!)

SILs are trained on topics about how students learn and strategies aimed at strengthening academic performance

SILs go through the course again—attend all class meetings, take notes during class, and read assigned materials.

BEHIND THE SCENES OF SI (CONTINUED)

SILs conduct three 50-minute sessions, have 3 hours to prepare session content, attend class for 3 hours per week, are required to communicate with their faculty member 1 hour each week, and receive 2 hours of training every Friday.

Students who attend SI sessions discover appropriate application of learning strategies (e.g. note taking, graphic organization, questioning techniques, vocabulary acquisition, problem solving, and test preparation) as they review content material.

SI Program Specialist (PS) is responsible for identifying courses, gaining faculty support, selecting and training the SI leaders, monitoring the quality of SI sessions, and evaluating the program.

SI participants earn higher course grades and withdraw less often than non-SI participants. Also, data shows higher retention and graduation rates for students who participate in SI.

ESTABLISHING PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

SI Leader and

Professor

How would you handle these situations?

Assignment #2: Bring your written responses with you to the in-person training

1. The professor asks you to lecture for him/her during a time he/she will be absent.

2. The professor offers to show you some of the test items from an upcoming exam

3. The professor asks you not to pass out old exams in SI. A student brings one to the session.

4. The professor asks you to help distribute handouts in class

5. The professor asks if they can visit one of your SI sessions.

6. The professor wants to know which students have been attending the SI sessions.

7. The professor asks for feedback about content-related difficulties the students are experiencing.

SI Leader and

Students

How would you handle these situations?

Assignment # 3: Bring your written responses with you to the in-person training

1. Student asks you for a copy of your lecture notes because “his or her mom is in the hospital.”

2. A student asks you for the handouts you have prepared for the SI session but says he or she can’t stay for the actual SI session

3. A student repeatedly arrives late for the SI session.

4. A handout you have created is on the reading that was required for the last class session. No one in the group has done the reading.

5. A student tells you: “I got a 90 on my last test, and I don’t need to come to SI anymore.”

6. A student confides personal problems (this could be anything from registration difficulties to domestic abuse)

Assignment #4 : Br ing your wr i t ten response to the in-person tra ining

It is our responsibil ity as supervisors--Program Specialist (PS), Assistant Coordinator (AC), Student Manager (SM)--to assist you in doing your job as an SI leader.

1.) What area of the SI Leader position do you feel you’ll need the most support with?

2.) How would you l ike to give and receive feedback from your supervisors?

As supervisors our door is always open for you to bring questions and/or concerns!

SI LEADERS AND SUPERVISORS

YOUR FIRST WEEK OF SI AND BEYOND

The First Day of Class

Remind the professor that you will need to make a brief presentation about SI to the class

Arrive on time (15 minutes before class begins on the first day, 5 minutes early every other day, unless otherwise requested by professor)

Write your name and CAPS information on the board. For example:

Jane Generic- SI Leader Chem121.001/003Sessions: Mon 1-11:50 am , Humanities 309;

Wed 8-8:50 am, Zim 345; Thurs 2-2:50 pm, Zim 345;

Caps.unm.edu505-277-7205

Introduce SI to the Students

Side note: Don’t take extra class time beyond what is allotted to you by the professor.

Don’t be like Ted!

We will help you practice your first SI class announcement!