Supplemental Instruction (SI) provides regularly scheduled, student-facilitated study sessions for traditionally challenging courses at CWRU. SI sessions are free and your participation is completely voluntary. Attending sessions allows you to ask questions, review notes, practice problems and prepare for exams in a relaxed environment.
Sessions are led by students who have successfully completed the courses, are recommended by professors and trained by Academic Resources staff. During the sessions, SI leaders will facilitate an activity related to recent material covered in lectures. The goal is to involve students with material and introduce good study skills and habits. Some activities may include practice quizzes, vocabulary building, review sheets or collectively working on problems. Because you will be working on course material, make sure you bring your book, notes and any other material you may need as a resource.
Depending on the number of SI leaders for your course, there may be anywhere from two to six 90-minute sessions per week. Consult the SI schedule for more information and to view courses currently supported by Supplemental Instruction.
Accessing SI Sessions
If you are enrolled in an SI supported course, you will receive information directly from your SI leader regarding the SI session schedule and how to access sessions.
Become an SI Leader
SI Leaders lead peer-assisted study sessions in traditionally challenging courses to reinforce material taught in lecture. Responsibilities include preparing for and leading two 90-minute sessions per week, attending lecture, maintaining communication with the professor, turning in reports and data and attending meetings and training sessions.
Qualifications: To be an SI Leader, you must have earned at least an "A" in the course and have a professor recommendation. SI Leaders must have good communication skills, be reliable and able to work autonomously and have a minimum overall GPA of 3.25.
Training: All SI Leaders attend a training program prior to the beginning of the semester and new SI leaders attend advanced training throughout the semester by enrolling in EDUC 200: Introduction to Supplemental Instruction, which currently meets on Tuesdays from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m.
Time Commitment: The SI Leader position requires a commitment of 10 hours per week. This includes attending lecture, preparing a facilitating sessions, attending meetings and training sessions and completing reports.
Scheduling: During SI training, SI Leaders collaborate to create the SI session schedule. Sessions are scheduled at times that are convenient for students in the course and in a way that minimizes conflicts between sessions that the same students may choose to attend.
Compensation and benefits: SI Leaders earn $13.31 per hour and are compensated for planning and facilitating SI sessions, attending training sessions and meetings and attending lecture. SI Leaders record their hours in an online payroll system and are expected to report their hours on a weekly basis. SI Leaders serve as an academic role model to multiple students. They develop mentoring relationships with faculty and staff and reinforce their understanding in their discipline. This position allows students to develop leadership skills in an academic role.
Questions about the Supplemental Instruction (SI) program? Contact James Eller, associate director, academic support resources.