Academic Success Center

Supplemental Instruction (SI)

What is Supplemental Instruction?

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a series of weekly review or study sessions for students enrolled in historically difficult classes.  The Academic Success Center partners with the course instructors to provide these sessions which are voluntary, free, and facilitated by a trained peer SI Leader.  SI is provided to students who want to improve their understanding of course material and improve their grades.  SI is not a substitute for class, doing assigned homework or meeting with the course instructor.
SI Session in Daniel Hall

The SI supported courses are:

  • Accounting 201, 202
  • Biological Sciences 222/223
  • Chemistry 101
  • Chemistry 223/224
  • Civil Engineering 201
  • Mechanical Engineering 201
  • Math Sciences 102,106,108,207
  • Physics 122

What is an SI Leader? 

SI leaders, students who have previously taken the course at Clemson and earned an “A”, attend all class meetings and guide students through the class material.  They are trained to integrate course content (what to learn) with study strategies (how to learn) in the SI sessions.  They will help students organize class material, compare notes, discuss difficult concepts, develop strategies for studying the subject, and be prepared for taking tests and exams. What SI Leaders won't do is lecture, re-teach or tutor the material.

SI Leader of the Week

April 15 - 21     
Erin Gotterbarm

 

April 8 - 14     
Trey Ryder
Trey is a Physics 122 SI Leader that continues to impress. Despite it being his first semester, he has quickly learned the SI model. He constantly stays overtime with his students to help with any last minute questions and has a great rapport with all of them. Thanks Trey and keep up the good work.

 

March 25 - 31     
Ava Hatfield

Ava Hatfield

Ava Hatfield is a senior Chemistry major, and she has been an SI Leader for Math for 4 semesters. Ava has a ton of experience working with students, and it shows every night during her sessions. She is a great leader who is always very helpful and friendly with her students. She is great at getting her students to work together, and she does a very good job of carrying the load of covering two sections of math. Congratulations to Ava, and her hard work and dedication to the program is very appreciated.

 

 

 


Program Highlights

  • Of the 10,282 students enrolled in 14 courses that offered SI in the 2009-2010 academic year, 5416 (52.7%) attended at least one SI session.
  • There were over 34,000 student visits to SI sessions in the 2009-2010 academic year.
  • On average, SI participants (with 6 or more visits during the semester) achieved a higher percentage of A’s and B’s, a lower percentage of C/D/F/Ws and higher course grades than non-participants.
  • Our SI leaders have an average cumulative GPR of 3.7.
  • "Outstanding SI program 2006" awarded at the International Conference on Supplemental Instruction, Malmo, Sweden.
  • "2006 SI Leader of The Year" Awarded at the International Conference on Supplemental Instruction, Malmo, Sweden.
What is expected of students?
  • Regularly attend class meetings; SI is support for the course, not a replacement for lecture or faculty contact.
  • Complete all required readings prior to attending class and SI sessions.
  • Bring questions to sessions; participation in sessions is important to understanding difficult concepts.  Be ready to share and ask questions of fellow students.
  • Regularly attend SI. Research shows that students who attend SI at least once a week perform better on exams and earn higher grades.
  • Relax and have fun!

Direct any questions regarding Supplemental Instruction to:
Laurel Whisler, SI Coordinator 
Academic Success Center 
(864) 656-6214

 

Site maintained by: Amanda Menefee
Academic Success Center, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29634, (864) 656-6212