Role of the SI Leader in the Classroom

[Jeremy A Joseph]

We’ve always operated under the premise that since SI Leaders are expected to be role model students in the classroom, SI Leaders should not be asked to do anything in the classroom that any other student should not be asked to do. Under that definition, that limits SI Leaders to helping pass out papers. We’ve had many faculty members ask if the SI Leaders can assist with proctoring a quiz during class; we have always told them no. However, with large classrooms, I can see the benefit of the SI Leader assisting with monitoring the room (what else are they supposed to do during that time?), but I also struggle with the realization that it puts the SI Leader into an authority position in the classroom.

 

Is there an official stance on this type of issue? What do you all do in these cases? Any help is appreciated!

 

 

Jeremy Joseph Mathematics, Statistics, and Supplemental Instruction Coordinator  The Learning Commons  Bowling Green State University 140 William T. Jerome Library Bowling Green, OH 43403 Office: 419-372-2823

 

To search past discussions on the SI-Net, visit our archive at http://groups.google.com/group/si-net

To add or remove from this mailing list, please go to <http://listserv.umkc.edu/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=SINET&A=1> or send an email message to the address list...@listserv.umkc.edu, with the text SIGNOFF SINET in the body of the message.

You are subscribed to the SINET list as si-net-gar...@GOOGLEGROUPS.COM.
Problems or questions should be directed to man...@listserv.umkc.edu.

[Curtis Line]

I am very glad that you asked this question. Our policy has been that the SI leader will look over the quizzes and exams, but not actually take them or have them be graded. Then, we have the SI leader reflect on how good of a job they did in preparing their students for that test based on the activities in their SI sessions (this is discussed during their meetings with the coordinator). SI leaders are paid to attend the 1 hour and 50 minute lectures, and they get paid 1 hour on a test day to look over the test.

I was under the impression this is a common SI practice, is it not? Do other schools do something similar to this? It's a very important issue to me right now and I'd love some feedback about it.

Thank you.


Curtis J. Line Jr., M.A.
Science Instructor/Supplemental Instruction Coordinator
Allied Health/Science
Delaware Technical and Community College
300 N. Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
Office: SE-308J
Phone: 302-573-5440
Email: curti...@dtcc.edu

---- Original Message ----
From: Jeremy A Joseph <jjo...@BGSU.EDU>
To: SI...@LISTSERV.UMKC.EDU
Sent: Thu, Feb 8, 2018, 9:33 AM
Subject: Role of the SI Leader in the Classroom

We’ve always operated under the premise that since SI Leaders are expected to be role model students in the classroom, SI Leaders should not be asked to do anything in the classroom that any other student should not be asked to do. Under that definition, that limits SI Leaders to helping pass out papers. We’ve had many faculty members ask if the SI Leaders can assist with proctoring a quiz during class; we have always told them no. However, with large classrooms, I can see the benefit of the SI Leader assisting with monitoring the room (what else are they supposed to do during that time?), but I also struggle with the realization that it puts the SI Leader into an authority position in the classroom.

 

Is there an official stance on this type of issue? What do you all do in these cases? Any help is appreciated!

 

 

Jeremy Joseph Mathematics, Statistics, and Supplemental Instruction Coordinator  The Learning Commons  Bowling Green State University 140 William T. Jerome Library Bowling Green, OH 43403 Office: 419-372-2823

 

To search past discussions on the SI-Net, visit our archive at http://groups.google.com/group/si-net

To add or remove from this mailing list, please go to <http://listserv.umkc.edu/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=SINET&A=1> or send an email message to the address list...@listserv.umkc.edu, with the text SIGNOFF SINET in the body of the message.

You are subscribed to the SINET list as curti...@DTCC.EDU.

Problems or questions should be directed to man...@listserv.umkc.edu.

[Kristen Tunison]

Hi Jeremy,

In our program, we see and hold a difference between "supporting students in their learning" (model student/guide) and "helping to run the classroom" (TA/authority figure). Little things like handing out papers are totally fine for the reasons you stated above. In our Calculus courses or any course that has built-in collaborative learning, we also allow and encourage instructors to have the PASS leaders assist students with in-class group practice. However, we do draw a hard line when anything puts the PASS leader in an authority role where they have to police or grade students, so proctoring is a no for us always. Our leaders don't attend class when there is a test/quiz and instead put that time toward extending or adding a session before the test/quiz. That helps with the issue of what they should do while the students are taking a test. 

We had an issue last semester where one of our PASS leaders found out after the fact that a friend in the class they were supporting had cheated on a test. They came and talked it through with the professional staff and ultimately decided to tell the faculty member. However, we try to minimize how often they are placed in these kinds of moral dilemmas. Because they are peers, they are in a unique role and relationship with the students that the faculty member or a graduate student is not. When I explain it to faculty in that way, they are typically very understanding and supportive. 

I hope that helps,

Kristen

You are subscribed to the SINET list as knm...@UAH.EDU.

Problems or questions should be directed to man...@listserv.umkc.edu.

--

KRISTEN TUNISON PASS Coordinator Student Success Center Salmon Library, 1st Floor North The University of Alabama in Huntsville 256.824.6216 kristen...@uah.edu

[Cheyenne Uvalle]

Hi Jeremy,

 

We have similar expectations for SI Leaders in our program. They can assist with passing out exams and with collecting them, but they don’t participate in grading the exams. Like you mentioned, we feel anything more than this may result in skewed perceptions regarding their role as peers. However, perhaps with larger classes they can stand at the back of the classroom where they won’t be in clear view of students attending the class and taking the test. Like an undercover proctor.

 

I like the idea that Curtis provided in regard to having leaders reflect on the students test performance by reviewing the tests without grading in order to help develop future sessions. In our program, we encourage leaders to have a post-exam session in which the students attending the session participate in activities that encourage them to share with the SI Leader how they felt they performed on the test and where they feel they could have improved.

 

 

Cheyenne Uvalle

I’m first gen!

Supplemental Instruction Program Coordinator

 

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Tomás Rivera Center for Student Success

One UTSA Circle

San Antonio, TX 78249

P: 210.458.6782

 

 

 

 

 

From: Supplemental Instruction Discussion List [mailto:SI...@LISTSERV.UMKC.EDU] On Behalf Of Jeremy A Joseph
Sent: Thursday, February 8, 2018 8:31 AM
To: SI...@LISTSERV.UMKC.EDU
Subject: Role of the SI Leader in the Classroom

 

We’ve always operated under the premise that since SI Leaders are expected to be role model students in the classroom, SI Leaders should not be asked to do anything in the classroom that any other student should not be asked to do. Under that definition, that limits SI Leaders to helping pass out papers. We’ve had many faculty members ask if the SI Leaders can assist with proctoring a quiz during class; we have always told them no. However, with large classrooms, I can see the benefit of the SI Leader assisting with monitoring the room (what else are they supposed to do during that time?), but I also struggle with the realization that it puts the SI Leader into an authority position in the classroom.

 

Is there an official stance on this type of issue? What do you all do in these cases? Any help is appreciated!

 

 

Jeremy Joseph Mathematics, Statistics, and Supplemental Instruction Coordinator  The Learning Commons  Bowling Green State University 140 William T. Jerome Library Bowling Green, OH 43403 Office: 419-372-2823

 

 

To search past discussions on the SI-Net, visit our archive at http://groups.google.com/group/si-net

 

To add or remove from this mailing list, please go to <http://listserv.umkc.edu/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=SINET&A=1> or send an email message to the address list...@listserv.umkc.edu, with the text SIGNOFF SINET in the body of the message.

You are subscribed to the SINET list as cheyenn...@UTSA.EDU.

Problems or questions should be directed to

man...@listserv.umkc.edu.

[Barata, Jose, L]

I am new to SI (first year) and find this conversation very useful.  I very much like Curtis’ idea, too, of having students reflect on the test and their preparation of students for it.

 

Thank you all!

José

 

José Luis Barata

Coordinator of STEM Initiatives | School of Science and Technology

Anne Arundel Community College

101 College Parkway, Arnold MD 21012

Phone: 410-777-2376 | Fax: 410-777-2445 | jlba...@aacc.edu

www.aacc.edu

Redefine yourself.

Redefine yourself.

You are subscribed to the SINET list as jlba...@AACC.EDU.

Problems or questions should be directed to man...@listserv.umkc.edu.

The information contained in this email may be confidential and/or legally privileged. It has been sent for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). If the reader of this message is not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication, or any of its content, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. Thank you.

[Waffaa Hanna]

Good morning,

In our program we ask the SI Leaders not to attend when there is a test/quiz. Also, they can't proctor or grade any exams. Last week one of the instructors had an emergency and she asked if the SI Leader can proctor the test. I explained to her our policy and declined to help, she understood and managed to find an alternative way.

As for seeing the tests, since not all the students attend the SI sessions I don't see that will help our SI Leaders. The SI Leaders are encouraged to ask the professors to promote their SI Sessions specially to the ones with low grades. 

I hope that helps. Thank you.

You are subscribed to the SINET list as waffaa...@CSUEASTBAY.EDU.

Problems or questions should be directed to man...@listserv.umkc.edu.

--

Waffaa Hanna

Supplemental Instruction (SI) Coordinator

Student Center for Academic Achievement (SCAA)

CSUEB

waffaa...@csueastbay.edu

(510) 885-4451 direct

(510) 885-2181 fax

[Barata, Jose, L]

Good thoughts – thank you!

 

José

 

José Luis Barata

Coordinator of STEM Initiatives | School of Science and Technology

Anne Arundel Community College

101 College Parkway, Arnold MD 21012

Phone: 410-777-2376 | Fax: 410-777-2445 | jlba...@aacc.edu

www.aacc.edu

Redefine yourself.

Redefine yourself.

 

You are subscribed to the SINET list as si-net-gar...@GOOGLEGROUPS.COM.

[Jeffrey Eagan]

At CSUB, most math classes that have SI also have a short quiz every week at the end or beginning of a class session. Some SI Leaders use this time to speak with the professor about their sessions and get in some faculty meeting time. After the quiz, SILs take their seats and follow along with lecture.

 

 

Jeff Eagan

Writing Center/Tutoring Coordinator-Enrollment Management

Supplemental Instruction Coordinator-Enrollment Management

Adjunct Lecturer-English Department

California State University, Bakersfield

9001 Stockdale Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93311

661-654-6411

jea...@csub.edu

http://www.csub.edu/admissionsandaid/student_support_programs/tutoring/

You are subscribed to the SINET list as jea...@CSUB.EDU.

Problems or questions should be directed to man...@listserv.umkc.edu.

To search past discussions on the SI-Net, visit our archive at http://groups.google.com/group/si-net