Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is available for students in selected chemistry courses.
What is SI?
SI provides a chance for you to get together with people in your class to compare notes, discuss important concepts, develop strategies for studying the subject, and to test yourselves before you professor does, so that when he/she does, you'll be ready.
Supplemental Instruction (SI) sessions are review sessions for students enrolled in historically difficult courses. SI targets tough courses!
SI is provided for all students in first-year chemistry courses who want to improve their understanding of course material and improve their grades. The sessions are facilitated by a trained SI leader.
Your SI leaders are:
 |
John Cieslewicz [jwciesle@mtu.edu] |
CH1150 |
SI Sessions: Tuesday, 7:00 - 8:00 pm, Wads G04 |
 |
Sarah Weinreis [saweinre@mtu.ed] |
CH1160 |
SI Sessions: Monday, 7:00 - 8:00 pm, Wads G04 |
|
Nate Green [nhgreen@mtu.edu] |
CH2420 |
SI Sessions: Tuesday, 3:00 - 4:00 pm, Dow 641 |
 |
Dan Drake [dadrake@mtu.edu] |
SI Student Supervisor |
SI Sessions: To be determined |
What is an SI Leader?
Have you ever wished you could do something over, knowing what you know now?
That's impossible, but you can come close in SI. SI leaders are students themselves
who have taken the class before and earned a high grade. They are prepared to
share with you what they have learned about how to study effectively for this
course. They know the course content and are anxious to help guide you through
it. They'll also be in class with you every day, taking notes and listening
closely to the professor.
How does it work?
At each session you will be guided through course concepts by your SI leader, a competent student who has previously taken the course and been trained in group facilitation techniques.
Your leader will not re-lecture or give you his/her class notes. You leader will not do your homework or your thinking for you.
You leader will help you make good use of your study time. After all, you have to study anyway. You might as well do it with friends so that you can share your knowledge and figure things out together, right? Your leader will share with you the strategies he/she used to be successful in the course. Your leader's job is to help you think about the lectures you hear and the books you read, and then put it all together into some kind of perspective during SI sessions so you can learn it more efficiently.
What's in it for me?
If you attend SI sessions regularly, chances are you'll earn a better grade. Research shows that students who attend SI sessions regularly average one half to one full letter grade higher than their classmates who choose not to attend. When you attend SI, you'll develop a better understanding of course content as well as more effective ways of studying. Hopefully, you'll make a few new friends, too!
When do sessions start?
SI sessions will begin the second week of class. Remember, the secret of success is to study proactively! Don't wait until the night before the test!! Since you have to study anyway, why not come to SI and make efficient use of your study time? Your SI leader will keep you informed about the times and locations for sessions.
What does it cost?
SI costs you nothing except your time. Assistance is free! Come as often as you like. Keep in mind, though, the statistics show that the more you come, the better your grade.
How will I know when it is offered?
During the first week of class, your SI leader will
make an announcement about SI. You will fill out a short survey to let the SI leader know your class schedule.
Please bring your official schedule of classes with you to the first class period
so that you will be able to complete the survey accurately. Each SI leader will set up three review sessions a
week at times that are best for the majority of the class. You can attend one, two or three sessions.
And each one will be different because you'll have new material to discuss. SI sessions are informal.
Bring your notes; bring your textbook; bring your questions.
Interested in becoming an SI leader?
SI leaders attend course lectures, take notes, plan and facilitate
interactive SI to assist students with course content and study
skills. They lead a minimum of three, 60 minute study sessions per week
for a designated course plus a 2 hour "marathon session" before each
exam. Following training sessions at the beginning of the semester, SI
Leaders attend regular weekly training meetings. SI leaders are also
responsible for promoting the program and developing a good working
relationship with the faculty member teaching the course. They typically
work ~10 hours per week. SI is a paid, professional opportunity for
students leaders who want to build rapport with an academic department,
gain experience in facilitating interactive groups and provides an
opportunity to review an academic discipline in preparation for an advanced
degree or job. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.
Applications are accepted starting the week after Winter Carnival
with the deadline being one week after Spring Break.
However, to assure hiring for the next academic year, applications should
be submitted by March 19th, 2012.
Application can be downloaded here (pdf).