The Benefits of Supplemental Instruction

for Students and SI leaders

By: Guadalupe Miralrio

Regular University Class

•Expectations of students from the classes•How do students handle these expectations/responsibilities?• Depends on the students

University Classes With SIT

• Also have the same expectations • How do the students react to SIT?

So how is SIT beneficial to Students?

• Formation of study groups

• focus on key points

• Test reviews

• Extra hour of study time/making up time to study

• Questions can get answered

• Easy way to get 10% of grade

• One-on-one tutoring

• Learn different studying techniques

• Students can test themselves on how much they actually know

• Job opportunity

• Get help with class materials

• Counseling/advice from coordinator

Former Student’s PerspectivesDestiny Uzaka-Chemistry 1013: “SIT benefitted me greatly because I practiced chemistry problems repeatedly and read over the material a lot. When it comes

to science and math, I have to practice as much as I can. If it wasn’t for SIT, then I wouldn’t have gotten an A in both lab and lecture.”

Christina Jones-Chemistry 1013: ”It helped me because I was able to work one- on -one with a SIT tutor to understand fully a certain topic since everyone learns

differently.”

Jamie Zhao-Microbiology 1003: “SIT benefited me greatly, with SIT I made a 104, without SIT I almost failed micro the first time. Second time when I had micro SIT,

I made an A. So I guess the moral of the story is practice makes perfect and tutoring DOES help.”

Asmait Solomon-Microbiology 1003: SIT was beneficial because it was former students who taught it. It was helpful because they gave us study skills that used to help them pass the class. Also, the reviews we had in tutoring were helpful as

well.”

Benefits of a Course Assistant: Professional level

• Time management

• Planning activities

• Increased understanding of course material

• Improvement in note-taking skills and studying strategies

• Improved communication and relationship skills• Enhanced interaction with faculty,

students, and other SI leaders

• Enhanced professional development

• (Stout and Mcdaniel)

Benefits of a Course Assistant: Personal Level

• Pushes you out of your comfort zone

• Patience

• Helps you put yourself in someone else’s shoes

• become aware of your weaknesses and strengths

• interaction with students of different cultures

• Develop a friendship with some of the students

• Learn to understand and LISTEN to others

• feeling of satisfaction and joyfulness

What Can We Do as Students and Course Assistants?

• Take advantage of these benefits!

• Allow ourselves to learn

• Apply some of these benefits to other classes and later on to our careers

• Allow ourselves to open up to these benefits

But Most Importantly….

Spread the word!!!

References:

Congos, Dennis H and Ana Mack. 2005. “Supplemental Instruction's Impact in Two Freshman Chemistry Classes: Research, Modes of Operation, and Anecdotes. Research & Teaching in Developmental Education, 21(2):43-64. Stout, M. Lisa and Amelia J. McDaniel. 2006. “Benefits to Supplemental Instruction Leaders.” New Directions for Teaching & Learning, (106):55-62.