UHD Faculty Feedback on Supplemental Instruction Program (SI)

10. What did you find
the most helpful about SI?

1.      Having
her in class to help me check students and to answer questions on in-class
exercises.

2.      It
was really helpful that the SI was interested in discussing the homework
problems particularly that I was using a new text. The most helpful aspect of
having an SI was the eventual help with student questions during class.

3.      The
opportunity of SI to provide additional office hours and help for students,
besides the help already offered by the instructor and Math Lab (N-925).

4.      She
made extra review sheets for the students and was readily available to help
them. Overall, the students were very pleased with her and felt she made a
difference.

5.      Each
one knew how to reach the student academically and then move forward to the
concept as he was teaching. Each knew how to reduce the level of terminology
simple enough to reach the student involved. They all had a very good report
with the students.

6.      Students
can find someone who is more like them and hence more comfortable to interact
with and for asking any kind of questions which they may hesitate to ask the
instructor.

7.      I
feel that she was always supportive of my efforts to get the students to do the
work that was in their best interests. A knowing and obviously successful
student voice (and actions) made a big difference in the work, study habits,
and grade results of this group of students.

8.      The
time it allowed me to spend with my students. Being able to divide the class
up, as it were, between the two of us, enabled me to spend more time with
students who were having a lot of problems.

9.      The
extra help available to students for a course with a very high attrition rate.

10.  She was
someone besides me that students could turn to for more information about the
course.

11.  They were
able to serve as yet another resource for students who were having difficulty
meeting the requirements of the course, particularly those who had missed
classes as the result of illness, family obligations or had scheduling
conflicts with their jobs. They were proactive in contacting students whose
attendance and/or academic performance challenged their chances for success and
were able to assist them in complying with course requirements.

12.  In the past
they have helped with study sessions; befriending students which really makes
students comfortable asking questions.

13.  Having a
person available to the students at times when they could meet was very
helpful.

14.  The SI
leader was in class with my students, and students felt at ease talking to him,
or asking him questions.

15.  That there
is another resource person (who has a strong concern for student success) that
a student can turn to.

16.  Willingness
to help with classroom activities and willingness to accommodate students’
schedules.

17.  Gave
students an additional resource. Students did not use that resource as much as
they should have, but that is their fault, not the SI, who was excellent.

18.  Having a
teaching assistant for in-class activities is very helpful. Together we can
give more students individual attention and this is a real plus for the
students. Also, since the SI walks in the shoes of the students, the SI
feedback is useful on addressing common problems. The SI was early to class and
among the last to leave, and during these times he tried to interact with
students and gauge their progress in understanding course topics.

19.  The SI
leader also helped students in the classroom when I gave in-class assignments.

20.  The SI
leader tutored the students in everything. He arranged their schedules. He backed
me up.

21.  Willingness
to help students in class while they were working on assignments.

22.  The SI
leader was proactive in contacting students whose attendance and/or academic
performance challenged their chances for success and was able to assist them in
complying with course requirements.

23.  As we
talked about the works we read, she had obviously read them too so that she
could help the reader.

24.  I deeply
appreciated having a strong student peer who was capable of serving as liaison,
mediator, between me and the class. I am 54 years old. No matter how much I
would like to speak with first year students in a way that genuinely engages
them, I find that the distance between us is often just too great. It is a
delight to have a student present who is passionately engaged with the course
material and can simultaneously communicate that engagement to her peers. SI
bridges an inevitable gap between teacher and student. The SI leader was a
superb liaison.

25.   My impression this semester (as I
compared this section to my section that ended up without an SI) is that she
set a good example for the students through her great attitude about college
and what it takes to succeed. Moreover, during class she helped students (who
raised their hands) with practice activities, which is helpful since I cannot
always help everyone due to time constraints.

26.   Helped answer individual
questions–did not need to be asked.

27.  She was
helpful when going to the museum when it was more important to work one on one
with students.

28.  During
in-class activities, he and I could check on everyone within the time allotted
to answer their questions and check on their progress.

29.  Just having
an extra qualified person to be available for the student with their questions
is a big help. A lot of students feel comfortable seeking help from an SI
leader- almost their peer.

30.  Having an
SI leader gave me the opportunity to spend more with each student. Also,
students were given different perspectives on doing certain problems

31.  That a
peer-tutor is an excellent resource because the students are comfortable asking
him questions.

32.  He was
there in class and after class helping students.

33.  In
developmental classes with 40 students it is difficult to help or answer
everyone’s questions at the same time! I like giving examples for
students to work and enjoy having examples for students to work and enjoy
having an additional instructor there to help and give feedback.