Supplemental Instruction (SI)
Welcome to Supplemental Instruction (SI)!
Supplemental instruction (SI) is a nationally recognized, peer-facilitated learning support program. The University of Dayton SI program is coordinated by the Office of Learning Resources.
Supplemental Instruction is:
- Collaboration between faculty members, SI Leaders, and students
- Focused on review and practice of materials
- Available to all students in a section with an assigned SI Leader
Accredited
by the International Center for Supplemental Instruction
1,000+ STUDENTS
attend SI sessions each semester
What to Expect in SI
Supplemental Instruction is a dynamic and collaborative learning environment where experienced and trained peers share their knowledge and learning strategies with students in interactive group review sessions. Students who attend SI are able to get additional practice and to ask questions about course material, while working at their own pace and building confidence.
Dr. Alison Witte is the Supplemental Instruction (SI) Coordinator for the University of Dayton. She has a background in teaching English and draws on her teaching experience to facilitate one of the largest SI programs in the US, with over 60 SI Leaders, supporting more than 40 faculty members each semester. Alison believes in Supplemental Instruction because SI is about helping students grow in confidence and succeed academically. SI supports all students in difficult courses with focused-review sessions in a small group setting, while also providing opportunities for SI Leaders to develop leadership and communication skills through training and working closely with a faculty member.
Please reach out to si@udayton.edu to contact Alison about Supplemental Instruction.
What is a SI Leader?
Working as an SI Leader is a great opportunity to help your peers and stay fresh in course content, while honing your skills in communication, project management, and problem solving. SI Leader positions are competitive, so planning and applying early are important.
Interested in Becoming an SI Leader?
Working as an SI Leader is a great opportunity to help your peers and stay fresh in course content, while honing your skills in communication, project management, and problem solving. SI Leader positions are competitive, so planning and applying early are important.
To prepare to apply, interested students should:
- Express interest in becoming an SI leader to faculty members of a desired course. The SI Leader/Faculty relationship is important to a successful semester, and many faculty members prefer to pre-select their SI Leaders, rather than have one placed with them from the general applicant pool. This is particularly true for courses in accounting, biology, chemistry, and engineering.
- Determine courses that the applicant is able to support. Successful applicants are willing and able to be placed in one of a few courses to help meet SI Program demand. For example, applicants who are willing to lead accounting, math, biology and chemistry are more likely to be placed than applicants willing to support only one course.
- Build a schedule that allows the applicant to attend the course section(s) the applicants would like to support. SI Leaders are required to attend class regularly; applicants need to indicate which sections they are able to attend when they apply.
- Talk to other SI Leaders to understand the position and its responsibilities. SI is a considerable time commitment (7-10 hrs a week) and requires significant levels of independent work.
Application Process:
Undergraduate student applicants must apply for the SI Leader position through Handshake. The priority application period for Fall semester is March-April, and the priority application period for Spring semester is November-December. Applicants must also complete the Peer Learning Facilitator form, which is linked in the Handshake application.
Qualifications:
- Must have received a grade of "A" in the course they want to support as an SI Leader
- Must have the ability to attend all class sessions of a section of the course they want to support
- Must have the ability to work at least 2 hours a week between 5-9pm, Sunday-Thursday
Resilience Micro-credential
All SI Leaders earn a Resilience Micro-Credential as part of their on-going training. These credentials can be displayed on LinkedIn and demonstrate to employers that you have the ability to cope with stressful situations and productively respond to set-backs or challenges.