Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics
SI Classes
MA 1713
MA 1723
What do you enjoy about working with the SI program and/or having a class with an SI Leader?
I like that the SI Leader is someone who has been through the material recently and is also sitting through the course again to see how the instructor teaches the material. I feel like this is helpful for them to potentially help the students understand the material since they may be able to explain the material in the way they were taught (if they learned a different way than the current instructor is teaching it). I also like that the students get to see who the SI Leader is and interact with them before or after class. This allows the students to be comfortable around the SI Leader, which may lead to them asking more questions during SI Sessions.
What would you say to students who are trying to figure out whether or not to go to SI Sessions?
I would tell them to try it once or twice, and if they feel it is not for them, I'd give them other tutoring options. I've noticed that it works for some while other students need that 1-1 tutoring that's offered by The Learning Center.
What would you say to a faculty member or department who is interested in having SI?
I would tell them to try it for a couple of semesters to see if it has an impact on students' grades. If they don't see that it's making a difference, then they can decide whether or not to continue offering the sessions. For me personally, I don't see how the SI Sessions could be a bad thing, but I may be biased since I like it so much.