Supplemental Instruction (SI) and Tutoring
Contrary to popular belief, the learning process does not change from high school to college. However, your role as a student in that process does. Generally, the learning process consists of:
- receiving information expected to be learned
- internalizing and processing the information in order to achieve understanding of key ideas and concepts, and
- demonstrating understanding of the information
Receiving information expected to be learned is achieved by attending lecture, reading your textbook, and familiarizing yourself with your course syllabus. The demonstrating understanding part of the learning process most often occurs in the form of a test or a quiz, or a graded homework assignment. However, the step students most often neglect in the learning process is internalizing and process the information they are expected to learn. Peer collaborative learning activities, like Supplemental Instruction (SI) and Peer Tutoring, have long been among the most effective strategies to help students internalize and process information they need to learn to do well in a course.
By taking advantage of the Supplemental Instruction (SI) and Peer Tutoring programs, students will have the opportunity to interact with other students and to engage collaboratively in the course material. Additionally, students will benefit from the collective experience of the SI leaders and tutors who have already completed the course.