What is Supplemental Instruction?

Supplemental Instruction (SI) provides weekly, peer-led study sessions to help students prepare for their courses outside of the classroom. SI study sessions are facilitated by an SI leader, a student who has previously completed the course with a high grade.

SI leaders plan and prepare for study sessions in advance and use active learning strategies to encourage comprehension and synthesis of course content. SI emphasizes collaborative, student-to-student learning and processing of information. In addition, SI Leaders also sit through the class again and act as model students.

SI began at Kennesaw State University as a pilot program in the Spring of 2006 with two SI Leaders supporting two courses (POLS 1101 and MATH 1111). Currently, we now have over 140 SI Leaders and support over 200 sections across 30+ courses.

SI is designed to improve student learning and success in historically difficult courses, those with DFW rates of 25 percent or higher. The SI Program targets courses, not individual faculty. It is not assigned to a course because of how it is taught or who teaches it. Priority is given to General Education and gateway courses, though SI has been successful in several upper-level courses.

 

 

SI Leaders in Fall 2025

How does SI Work?

  • SI Sessions are:
    • Offered to ALL enrolled students, not just those who are doing poorly.
    • Regularly scheduled with multiple sessions being held each week
    • Held outside of classroom instructional time
    • Free and attendance is voluntary
    • Anonymous
    • Not tutoring and not re-lecturing
    • Student-to-Student processing of material
  • The SI Leader will:
    • Attend all class sessions
    • Maintain a professional attitude about class standards, grades, student complaints, etc.
    • Discourage students from attending sessions as a substitute for class
    • Share SI materials with you before use, if possible.
    The SI Leader will not:
    • Re-lecture
    • Answer faculty-addressed e-mails
    • Grade assignments and exams
    • Teach the class in the instructor's absence

 

 

Differences in Types of Peer Educators

 

SI Leader Tutor
Identifies historically difficult courses and provides group learning sessions with a leader that has successfully completed the course. Identifies and helps individual students that need additional assistance in specific general course topics.
Focuses SI session on the content in a specific course. May focus on a subject or a course.
Typically works with larger groups at a time but divides the large groups into smaller groups. Works with one student.
Attends class with students. Does not attend lectures with students
Leader prepares activities, games, handouts, etc. for the SI sessions based on the course content. Tutor asks students to explain their needs at the onset of tutoring sessions
Focuses on collaborative learning.  Focuses on learning for the individual student’s preferences.
Set specific session times that are available to students on a voluntary basis.  Students schedule appointments to meet with tutors.
Provide on-going assistance to all students enrolled in the course throughout the semester.  Assist students by an individual case-by-case need request
Focused on content, learning/study strategies, and internalization of course content to ensure a passing grade in the class. Focused on helping students to understand general course content. 
Communicates regularly with the course instructor, and the instructor is aware of the SI session content.  Little or no communication with students’ instructor(s)
SI Leader Teaching Assistant
Primarily supports the students.  Primarily supports the professor
Attends class like a student and takes notes.  Assists the professor in class with activities or materials. 
Is a model student: leaders do not profess to know all answer; will refer to instructors and their resources.  Is a content specialist: TAs have demonstrated knowledge in the field of study. 
Is a peer student or mentor: leaders are able to relate to students on their level of learning.  Students see TAs as an authority figure, as they may grade homework, assignments and exams. 
Does not proctor exams.  May assist with exam proctoring.
Is focused on what is going on in the class from the students’ perspectives; what types of questions are being asked, non-verbal cues of students’ understanding, etc.  Assists with administrative tasks during class, such as taking attendance, collecting homework, or passing back exams/quizzes. 
Leads students towards success by facilitating collaborative learning and group participation. Leads students towards success by teaching subject matter. 
Is oriented towards serving students’ needs.  Is oriented towards meeting the instructor’s expectations. 
Facilitates study sessions throughout the course of the semester. Sessions focus on course content and study skills, through active learning.  May re-lecture or present new material. May hold office hours to assist students with homework. 
Is hired, trained, and supervised directly by the SI Program Staff and Faculty Liaison. Receives initial and on-going training.  Is supervised directly by the faculty. 

 

Faculty Expectations

Faculty Benefits

  • Students who attend SI sessions, on average, earn a letter grade higher than those who don't attend.
  • Students who attend SI Sessions have a better understanding of the subject matter.
  • Students who attend SI sessions participate more during class.
  • Strategies that are used in SI Sessions can be adopted during regular class time.
  • You can gain valuable feedback about the course from your SI Leader.
  • Having an SI Leader in your class may help improve overall course evaluations.

Faculty Mentor Responsibilities: Do's and Don'ts

DO:

  • During the first class meeting, please allow your SI Leader the opportunity to briefly introduce themselves, as well as introduce SI to the class and to let students know how they will be of help to them throughout the semester.

    They are also asked to play a video during their "First Day Speech".

  • SI Leaders with this status are allowed to view the syllabus and course material, as well as e-mail students regarding study session times and post announcements relating to study sessions.
  • Faculty Mentors should encourage attendance from all students who wish to gain a better understanding of the course and avoiding suggestions that only failing students should attend SI sessions.
  • We encourage weekly 1-on-1 meetings, but it is ultimately your choice and you may choose to hold them as frequently as you deem necessary.
  • The SI Program encourages feedback on the program and your SI Leader. We encourage Faculty Mentors to maintain consistent communication with the SILA Program by completing mid-semester and end-of-semester surveys and check-ins.
  • Faculty mentors are expected to provide the SI Leader with course resources and a copy of the textbook, when available.
DON'T:
  • We ask that Faculty Mentors respect the anonymity of SI Sessions and attendance by refraining from attending SI Sessions.
  • SI Leaders are allowed to hold SI sessions during class time if you will not be available, but they can only review previous material and are not trained to teach students material.

  • SI Leaders are prohibited from completing the following responsibilities that are commonly associated with "Teaching Assistants"

    • Leading Lectures/Group Activities
    • Administering Tests and Exams
    • Grading Homework, Assignments, or Exams
    • Holding Office Hours

     

    Responsibilities of a Teaching Assistant – Referenced from Graduate College at Kennesaw State University (https://www.kennesaw.edu/graduate/graduate-assistantships/docs/assistantship-types-chart.pdf)

  • If you are curious about general attendance data or want to offer extra credit, please reach out to the SI Program at si@kennesaw.edu

    Contact Us

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • To ensure that our SI sessions remain anonymous and to ensure that group dynamics are not affected by the presence of an authority figure, SI sessions are faculty-free zones. If you are curious about the content of sessions, feel free to discuss this with your SI Leader in your regular meetings, or reach out to si@kennesaw.edu.

  • SI is NOT a remedial program!

    SI is a program that targets courses, not students. Our program is inserted into courses with historically high DFW rates (>25%). Our program is designed to work with faculty teaching, and is available for all students, regardless of their grade in the course.

    We encourage our SI Leaders and our SI Faculty Mentors to dispel the assumption that SI is for failing students!

  • Students are not working on homework during SI Sessions. SI Leaders create engaging learning activities that are separate from graded coursework to facilitate a study session for students. These activities range from Mock Quizzes to Kahoot! to scavenger hunts! 

  • You can encourage your students to take advantage of SI by allowing your SI Leader to market their sessions in class, as well as sharing our information in your syllabi about Supplemental Instruction:

    Syllabus Insert

    This course was selected to participate in Kennesaw State University's Supplemental Instruction (SI) program. SI is a series of weekly review sessions designed to help students succeed in their classes. SI is provided for ALL students who want to improve their understanding of the course material and improve their grades.

    SI sessions offer a chance to meet with classmates to compare notes, discuss important concepts, develop strategies for studying, and test yourselves before quizzes and exams. At each session, you will be guided through the materials by your SI Leader, a student who has previously taken the course and done well.

    Each week, the SI Leader will conduct two study sessions. You may attend any of the sessions that fit into your schedule. Session times and locations can be found on the SI website at si.kennesaw.edu

    Some other ways to encourage SI session attendance are to:

    • Work with your SI Leader and share a difficult concept/problem with your class and state that it will be reviewed in the SI session.
    • Regularly give verbal encouragement to ALL students in the couse to attend SI.

    You can also collaborate with your SI Leader on different ways to encourage students to take advantage of Supplemental Instruction.

    If you are interested in encouraging extra credit for SI session attendance, please reach out to us at si@kennesaw.edu 

  • All SI Leaders are required to participate in both Pre-Semester Training and complete in-semester Professional Development trainings.

    Pre-Semester Training

    All SI Leaders, in their first semester as an SI Leader, get an opportunity to get hands-on experience in facilitating SI sessions. Our SI Leaders spend the first day of our two-day training learning all about the core parts of an SI session, which include learning effective facilitation techniques, how to incorporate engaging learning activities, and how to encourage collaboration in their sessions. SI Leaders are then expected to facilitate a mock SI session using the core parts to demonstrate knowledge and abillity to be an effective SI Leader.

    Professional Development Trainings

    All of our SI Leaders are required to complete Professional Development Trainings throughout the semester. These one-hour workshops are opportunities for the SI Leaders to enhance their facilitation skills and pedagogical knowledge, as well as other personal and professional development areas. These workshops are designed to be active learning opportunities with interactive components and activities, such as whole group discussions.

     

    Pre-Semester Training Professional Development Trainings Total Training Hours
    New SI Leaders 16 Hours 4 Hours 20 Hours
    Returning SI Leaders 8 Hours 3 Hours 11 Hours

  • If you notice that your SI Leader is not attending lectures or is not modeling appropriate behavior, please reach out to us at si@kennesaw.edu so that we can investigate.

    Contact Us

  • SI sessions are designed to be anonymous and attendance data is not shared.

    If you are interested in offereing extra credit, please reach out to si@kennesaw.edu 

  • SI Leaders are asked to provide a brief 3-4 minute presentation during the first class meeting of the semester to introduce themselves, as well as introduce SI to the class and to let students know how they will be of help to them throughout the semester. Allow the SI Leader the opportunity to share the information that they are comfortable with sharing.

  • Here are instructions on how to add your SI Leader to your D2L course:

    • From the Classlist page, click on Add Participants.
    • Click Add existing users.
    • You will be taken to the Add Existing Users page. From here, type the Name or NetID of the user you wish to add in the Search For field.
    • Click the Search button.
    • Place a check next to the user that you wish to add to the course.
    • Select Non-Grade Instructor or Visitor for the user in the Select a Role dropdown menu.
    • Click Enroll Selected Users.
    • The participant will be added to the course. To return to the Classlist, click Done.
    • Once this process is complete, let your SI Leader know that they have been added to D2L with their role.

    Not sure which one to pick? Here are the differences between the two:

    Visitor Role Non-Grade Instructor
    A visitor can participate in all course activities except for those that are graded. This role cannot edit content or grade students, nor can it send out announcements to the class. A Non-Grade Instructor has the capabilities for instructor but cannot grade students. This role can add or change content and is allowed to send announcements to the class.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the Supplemental Instruction Program or how faculty can get involved, please feel free to send us an e-mail at si@kennesaw.edu 

Contact Us

Faculty Applications

Faculty Applications for the Spring 2026 Semester are closed. 

Fall 2026 Applications will open next semester.