Faculty/Staff Resources

Supplemental Instruction is adapted from the International Center of Supplemental Instruction that is an academic assistance program that utilizes peer-assisted study sessions. Supplemental Instruction sessions are regularly scheduled, informal review sessions where students compare notes, discuss readings, develop organizational tools, and predict test items. Students learn how to integrate course content and study skills while working together. The sessions are facilitated by “Supplemental Instruction leaders”, students who have previously done well in the course and who attend all class lectures, take notes, and act as model students.

Benefits for Faculty/Instructors

• No time commitments other than encouraging students to take advantage of Supplemental Instruction
• Building relationships and providing resources with assigned Supplemental Instruction Leader sitting in your class
• Assisting Tutoring/Supplemental Instruction team in selecting candidates for Supplemental Instruction Leaders for your course 

Interested in Supporting a UWM Course with Supplemental Instruction?

Small group tutoring consist of five students or less facilitated by a tutor who who have previously done well in the course. The tutor will give individualized attention to students’ needs, while at the same time students will benefit from the questions and experience of the other group members. All group members sign up separately and are placed in groups according to the course and scheduling needs.

Interested in Supporting a UWM Course with Small Group Tutoring?

Drop-in tutoring program provides immediate, short-term assistance with popular subjects such as computer science, math, and physics. This is a great program for students who want help but can’t make a weekly commitment, or who want a tutor but don’t think they’ll need help every week.

According to the International Supplemental Instruction website, Supplemental Instruction is an academic assistance program that uses peer-assisted study sessions. These regularly scheduled, informal review sessions allow students to compare notes, discuss readings, develop organizational tools, and predict test items. Students learn to integrate course content and study skills while collaborating. Sessions are facilitated by Supplemental Instruction leaders—students who previously excelled in the course, attend all class lectures, take notes, and serve as model students.” 

Supplemental Instruction are weekly review sessions for students to attend. Students can drop in a scheduled Supplemental Instruction sessions and not required to sign up in advance. Supplemental Instruction Leaders attend regular lectures for the course and prepare agendas and activities for their sessions. Supplemental Instruction Leaders will also hold exam reviews. 

Tutoring is by-appointment only, and students must sign up in advance (no drop-ins). Tutoring sessions are small-group sessions (always five students or less). Tutors have experience taking the course before, but they do not currently attend the lectures. 

We do provide drop-in tutoring for various courses in addition to Supplemental Instruction and tutoring. 

The SSC provides tutoring and Supplemental Instruction primarily for 100 and 200, and some 300-level courses in most subject areas, with some exceptions.  

The SSC does not provide tutoring for any graduate-level courses.  

In addition, departments such as Chemistry and Engineering provide their own specialized tutoring for their classes, so students must contact those specific departments for more information. 

We are always open to exploring various courses and new collaborations. Please reach out to ssc@uwm.edu if you would like to discuss future collaborations.  

The SSC works with campus and departments to identify courses with high DFW rates, courses students have historically struggled with, or have large first-year student registration. 

If you are interested in exploring tutoring or Supplemental Instruction for your course, please feel free to contact any member of our team:

Anthony Marinetti: Tutoring & Supplemental Instruction Student Services Coordinator marinet3@uwm.edu  

Nick Moroder: Math & Technology Student Services Coordinator morodern@uwm.edu  

Nicole Oswald: Associate Director for Peer Programs nkheinen@uwm.edu 

Supplemental Instruction has been shown to help UWM students achieve higher retention rates compared to their peers who did not participate in Supplemental Instruction. See our Supplemental Instruction Retention Results for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Your Supplemental Instruction leader is not a TA. They do not do any grading. They can help you with the class if you wish but they are not to just be an extra TA for the class. Supplemental Instruction leaders must hold their Supplemental Instruction review session times and exam reviews so students can get additional help. Supplemental Instruction leaders are welcome to join meetings you have with your TAs. 

The Coordinator will work with Supplemental Instruction leaders before the semester begins to create Supplemental Instruction review session times that students can attend weekly to ask questions, review course material, and receive feedback on projects. If you have specific times you want your Supplemental Instruction leader to be available or times you do not want them to hold Supplemental Instruction review times, please let your Supplemental Instruction leader know or the Coordinator. 

All SI leaders receive training before the semester starts and throughout the semester. All Supplemental Instruction leaders follow the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) Tutor Certification guidelines.  We are certified for Levels I – Regular, Level II – Advanced, and Level III – Master.  Since certification, we have been following the standards proposed by CRLA Certification requirements for our tutor trainings. These standards include at least 10 hours of training for each level.  Some of the topics covered for tutor trainings include: tutor ethics, communication skills, study skills, planning a session, and tutoring do’s and don’ts. Level II and Level III tutors trainings include topics such as: handling challenging situations in a session, conflict resolution, motivational interviewing, group dynamics, and metacognition.   

SI Leaders also receive the same training as our tutors with an additional two hours added to their orientation that focuses on faculty relationships, exam reviews, and the factors that make SI different from tutoring. 

The simple answer is no.

To ensure a successful experience for you and your Supplemental Instruction leader, please complete the following steps before the semester begins:

1. Add your Supplemental Instruction leader to your Canvas course.
2. Share your syllabus with them.
3. Provide any necessary supplies, such as textbooks or access codes.
4. Meet with your Supplemental Instruction leader at the start of the semester to discuss your expectations.
5. Include their Supplemental Instruction information in your syllabus

Anthony Marinetti: Tutoring & Supplemental Instruction Student Services Coordinator marinet3@uwm.edu  

Nick Moroder: Math & Technology Student Services Coordinator morodern@uwm.edu  

Nicole Oswald: Associate Director for Peer Programs nkheinen@uwm.edu