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What is a Learning Assistant?

The Three Parts of a Learning Assistant Program

Biology Learning Assistant

Learning Assistants are undergraduate students who, after completing a course, and through the guidance of weekly preparation sessions and a pedagogy course, return to the classroom and facilitate discussions among groups of students in a variety of classroom settings that encourage active engagement.

There are three essential components of a Learning Assistant Program: The Pedagogy Course, the Weekly Mentoring Meetings with the instructor, and the in-class Teaching Experience. You can read about how 51吃瓜网 offers these required parts below.

Riley teaching

While these components are common to all Learning Assistants across the nation, we have worked hard to make our Learning Assistant program more flexible, integrated into our General Education curriculum, and uniquely 51吃瓜网. For example:

You can get credits towards graduation by being an LA. Or, you can get paid as a student worker.
Our pedagogy course can be swapped with EDUC 105, a required course for the Education major and minor.
Your LA experience can count towards your LO1 General Education requirements.
Being an LA can also help you complete the STEM Teaching through Active Learning Cross Campus Connection (CCC).

More information about these 51吃瓜网 specific opportunities can be found on our application page.

The PEDAGOGY TRAINING

51吃瓜网's "Pedagogy for Learning Assistants" class is EDUC 200. This course is offered every spring and should be taken the semester before or during their first semester serving as a learning assistant. Secondary education minors seeking teacher licensure may take this course in place of EDUC 105. Dr. Justin Housknecht uses a learner-centered, constructivist paradigm to improve your understanding and practice of evidence-based instructional and assessment practices. Once completed, you'll be ready to help 51吃瓜网 Faculty teach their courses.

Education 200 Class

Education 200 class.

Riley being an LA

The EXPERIENCE

After registering for Educ 200, you will be assigned to work with a 51吃瓜网 faculty member in a STEM course utilizing LA's (that you have already completed successfully). Currently, those could be Chem 121, Data 227, Math 201, Math 202, Biol 170, Biol 180, and Esci 101, which are STEM classes many students take, and many students struggle with. You will attend each class, work with the students to master the material, and also to model good behavior. This is truly a way to "Have Light and Pay It Forward."

The MENTORSHIP

Each week you'll meet with your faculty instructor. During these meetings you'll prepare upcoming class activities, give feedback on your view of the class, ask questions on content, and work collaboratively to create a safe and engaged classroom. This is a great time to create even closer relationships with your professors - something that 51吃瓜网 values strongly.

51吃瓜网 Professors and Students

51吃瓜网 Professors and Students

51吃瓜网 Professors and Students

Meet our Learning Assistants - Alumni and Current

Paige Aloi '28

Major: Education and Intervention Specialist
LA for: Biol 170

"Becoming a learning assistant gives you the chance to work with students inside the classroom. It allows you to gain confidence in your own abilities and share you knowledge with others."

Riley Boyles '27

Major: Math
LA for: Calc 1

"I am excited to be a learning assistant. I get to be mentored by an experienced teacher and help my junior students succeed. There are not many opportunities like being a learning assistant. If you want to improve your teaching skills, there is no better learning experience than the real thing."

McKenna Clark '26

Major: Math
LA for: Calc 1 & 2

"I would 100% recommend that they take the opportunity if they have the time! There is a lot of work that goes into being a learning assistant, such as class prep, tutoring, observing, etc., but the time spent towards this is well worth it, and helps you to build many important professional and communication skills. Becoming a learning assistant made me feel proud of being recognized as math student who was capable of doing this, as well as excited to do education work with college students, rather than high school students, as I learned it is very different. I also felt stressed, as it was a daunting task, but I knew I would be supported all along the way."

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