2008 Woodie Awards
Untapped resource for tough classes
Marquis Cook
Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: News
For troublesome and difficult classes, help is available to achieve success. Students may know about the math and reading centers, but there's an untapped resource at LBCC that many students may not be aware of.
Supplemental Instruction, or SI, is free additional instruction in a class that meets outside of regular scheduled class hours.
"The main difference is that SI is instructor and course-specific," Lauren Nalepa, supplemental instruction coordinator said.
The basic core of SI is comprised of the student, a tutor known as an SI leader, and course content.
However, the leader may be viewed more as a group facilitator than an instructor.
The leader attends class with students and bases study sessions around what is covered in class. This gives students the opportunity to discuss important class concepts in a non-formal setting.
To become an SI leader, one must have received an "A" in the course they are tutoring. The individual also must be a current student at the college.
SI leaders are paid part-time workers. They are compensated for job training, time in class with students and prep work.
"Teachers usually request to have an SI leader for their classes," Nalepa said.
SI is voluntary and anonymous for the student. The SI leaders are not required to keep attendance.
"Students from different classes attend my SI because they know it will help them pass the course," SI leader and LBCC? graduate Tina Longson said.
SI currently has 65 courses that have been traditionally difficult for students, including math, English, and reading.
"At first I took SI for reading and thought it wouldn't help, then as I tried going on a daily basis, it did help my grade," International Business major Abigail Sulibit said.
Nalepa said in order for a course to qualify for SI, it has to have a retention rate of 65 percent.
"The program is in its last year of state funding through Title 5 grants. We're hoping to get LBCC to fund the program by next fall," Nalepa said.
For more information, students may go to Building E 07LC at the LAC (located in the lower level of the building), call 938-4839, or e-mail lnalepa@lbcc.edu.
Supplemental Instruction, or SI, is free additional instruction in a class that meets outside of regular scheduled class hours.
"The main difference is that SI is instructor and course-specific," Lauren Nalepa, supplemental instruction coordinator said.
The basic core of SI is comprised of the student, a tutor known as an SI leader, and course content.
However, the leader may be viewed more as a group facilitator than an instructor.
The leader attends class with students and bases study sessions around what is covered in class. This gives students the opportunity to discuss important class concepts in a non-formal setting.
To become an SI leader, one must have received an "A" in the course they are tutoring. The individual also must be a current student at the college.
SI leaders are paid part-time workers. They are compensated for job training, time in class with students and prep work.
"Teachers usually request to have an SI leader for their classes," Nalepa said.
SI is voluntary and anonymous for the student. The SI leaders are not required to keep attendance.
"Students from different classes attend my SI because they know it will help them pass the course," SI leader and LBCC? graduate Tina Longson said.
SI currently has 65 courses that have been traditionally difficult for students, including math, English, and reading.
"At first I took SI for reading and thought it wouldn't help, then as I tried going on a daily basis, it did help my grade," International Business major Abigail Sulibit said.
Nalepa said in order for a course to qualify for SI, it has to have a retention rate of 65 percent.
"The program is in its last year of state funding through Title 5 grants. We're hoping to get LBCC to fund the program by next fall," Nalepa said.
For more information, students may go to Building E 07LC at the LAC (located in the lower level of the building), call 938-4839, or e-mail lnalepa@lbcc.edu.
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