As in the more typical supplements, the SI leader attends class daily, listens to lectures, takes notes, and completes assignments just like other students. Since many of our composition classes include in-class writing, the SI leader, unlike in other SI's, is often asked to help the students with editing during the class period. Center personnel understand that they will not assign grades to papers or essays. They may suggest corrections or additions to papers, but only in the presence of the student. They may also, if the professor wishes, introduce concepts or answer student questions to clarify points made by the professor.
Professors request different kinds of assistance from their SI leaders.
This division of responsibility permits a higher degree of individualized instruction. Another professor, who considers the Learning Center's editing process to be particularly valuable, asked students to work with the SI leader before they submitted their themes. Since he taught three sections of English composition, he scheduled themes so that no more than one class had a paper due during any given week. The Learning Center Director, aware that the SI leader could not be expected to see each student personally, assigned tutors to assist with the workload during weeks that themes were in process. These additional tutors were trained in the editing process and were briefed by the SI leader as to the nature of the assignment and the professor's expectations.