Supplemental Instruction
Certain courses have historically high failure rates. Students find it difficult to grasp the subject in a normal class period. They may need it explained differently; they may need more examples; they may need guidance to develop study skills. To give students the extra help that they need, Lone Star College-Kingwood has established a Supplemental Instruction program. A student who has already successfully completed the course attends the class, modeling good student behavior. This student, or Supplemental Instructor (SI) is then available outside of regular class hours to work with any students who choose to come to the sessions.
What is SI?
SI, or
Supplemental Instruction, is a unique program designed to help students succeed. While at first SI may seem similar to tutoring, there are many differences between a peer tutoring program and SI. Our program focuses in on classes that have historically been high-risk, not high-risk students. Also, SI is for everyone — not just for students who think they are behind or need extra help. SI Leaders work in tandem with the curriculum and in response to student needs to provide a guided group-study environment so all students can reinforce their learning to make success more achievable. Best of all, it's
free to the students who choose to participate.
What SI Does
SI Leaders are students. A Leader will attend all class meetings to take notes and do all assigned homework and reading, just like the rest of the class. The Leader will also hold SI Sessions outside of scheduled class time. These sessions are open to everyone, and are designed to be a guided group-study where more active participation and collaboration is used to help students construct their own knowledge of the material.
What SI Doesn't Do.
SI's purpose is to help students succeed. There are, however, many misconceptions about what SI does or does not do. Leaders try to avoid methods which appear to help students but, over time, are counterproductive. SI is not a substitute for class, a place to get another copy of notes, or a before-test comprehensive review.
Is Supplemental Instruction helpful?
In the spring semester 2001, of the 525 students who had an SI available to them, 112 actually attended at least one session. One hundred of those students received C's or better in their class! Meanwhile, 162 of the students who chose not to attend earned a D, F, or W. The average grade for assisted students was 3.0; for unassisted students in the same classes, the average grade was 2.21.
For more information write Janis Terry or call 281-312-1553.