Supplemental Instruction (SI) | Springfield College

What is SI?

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is peer-led instruction that focuses on group collaboration in order to provide support for historically challenging courses in the Department of Biology/Chemistry. Through 60-minute, weekly SI sessions, students are provided with course-specific learning strategies, support for course content, and a structured time for study with peers.

What is an SI Leader?

SI Leaders are students who attend class lectures and facilitate weekly out-of-class group study sessions in targeted courses which they have successfully completed. SI Leaders utilize collaborative activities to ensure peer-to-peer interaction which integrate “what to learn” with “how to learn.”  SI Leaders plan and implement their study sessions, guiding students through the most difficult course concepts while sharing strategies to be successful in the course. SI Leaders meet weekly with the ASC’s Tutorial Services coordinator for one-on-one and group supervision and training. In addition, SI Leaders meet regularly with their professor to clarify course content and material.

Student SI Testimonials

“I owe much of my success in Anatomy and Physiology Concepts to the supplemental instruction I received. I struggled a lot studying on my own for the first half of this course, and it was great to go to the SI sessions. People often asked questions that I also had and it made learning Anatomy and Physiology Concepts much more fun and easier!”

“During the SI study session, I was exposed to different forms of studying. And hearing the content for a second time through someone else was really helpful in remembering the content.”

Study Session

Student SI Testimonials

“I have had a dramatic improvement in the second half of this course. SI had a great impact. Taking time to write down information about the chapter and talking it out with others made me feel more confident in the material, and in the end, helped me understand everything a little better.”

“My test grades went up a lot!”

Study Session

Tutorial Services

Offering peer tutoring in math, science, writing, content courses, and more.

Disability and Accessibility Services

Offering academic accommodations and support services to students with disabilities

Academic Coaching

Offering individualized enhancement of time management and learning strategies.