About Supplemental Instruction
What is Supplemental Instruction?
The SI program is a free, peer-led academic support program for students in challenging courses. SI Leaders, who have successfully completed the course with a A or B, facilitate collaborative study sessions to review material, teach effective study strategies, and foster a supportive learning environment.
How does it work?
- SI Leaders lead sessions twice a week, focusing on note-taking, organization, and test preparation.
- Sessions are hands-on and collaborative, encouraging all students to participate.
- SI Leaders attend lectures, review course materials, and collaborate with faculty to guide sessions effectively.
Why does it matter?
- Provides an evidence-based approach that improves understanding, confidence, and academic performance, while building community.
- Helps reduce DFW (D, F, Withdrawal) rates.
- Provides leadership and professional development opportunities for SI Leaders.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no limit. Any student enrolled in the designated course may attend at any time.
Not exactly—but you will get support that actually helps. SI Leaders don’t give out answers to homework, exams, or confidential information. Instead, they guide you through similar problems, clarify tough concepts, and share strategies that helped them succeed in the course. The goal is to build understanding and confidence, not just hand out answers.
SI Sessions are held twice per week by the SI Leader. Once session locations and times are decided, they will be found on our website at https://learningandwriting.ku.edu/courses-si. Additionally, dates and locations of sessions will be announced the second of week of the semester in the lecture you attend.
SI sessions are free to any student enrolled in the designated course.
SI is voluntary, but attending may enhance your performance in the class.
SI Sessions are 1 hour long. The locations and times will remain the same the entire semester. In the event that the session time or location needs to be changed; you will be notified of this change.
Yes, you are welcome to attend as many sessions as you would like. Sessions will generally follow a similar outline, all discussing material as it is covered in class.
Yes, but students are highly encouraged to come at the beginning of each session. Sessions are structured and a student may miss important information by arriving any time after the start of each session.
At this time, materials used in SI sessions are only available to students who attend the session. Because SI is a collaborative, participation-based program, we’re unable to share worksheets or materials outside of sessions. Additionally, SI Leaders do not use personal email accounts to send materials to students.
Tutoring usually focuses on one-on-one help with specific questions or assignments. Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a peer-led, group-based program that reinforces course material through collaborative activities and study strategies tied directly to the class.