SCSE Learning Assistants Program for Active Learning Courses
SCSE Learning Assistants Program for Active Learning Courses
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What is a Learning Assistant (LA)?
A Learning Assistant, or LA, is an undergraduate student who facilitates active learning in a course by using peer-to-peer learning to encourage student engagement and responsibility for learning. As an LA, you'll be working in one specific course collaboratively with a faculty member. LAs are guided by the course instructors and through participating in special pedagogy training.
How does the program work?
Sometimes faculty don't have the time to interact with every student during a lecture course, especially if there are a lot of students in the classroom. That's where LAs come in. LAs receive training in active learning pedagogy (think things like clickers, in-class projects, group work, etc) and collaborate with a faculty mentor to help their peers succeed. As a benefit, LAs learn the course material better by teaching.
Our SCSE Learning Assistant Program is modeled after many nationwide programs that are part of the Learning Assistant Alliance.
What are the SCSE LA Program Goals?
Students enrolled in active learning courses will achieve greater academic success, defined as lowered DFW rates and improved retention and persistence in their major.
Students will develop a greater community with others through peer-to-peer learning and increased self-identity in STEM.
The LA program will provide student support for faculty who are using evidence-based pedagogical approaches by creating a community of students who better understand active learning pedagogies.
The LA program will support institutional change by providing infrastructure to support faculty in innovative pedagogical practices.
Faculty Applications - click here!
Faculty Applications - click here!
Faculty Benefits and Responsibilities
Work with your LA in a weekly preparation session to prepare for the upcoming week's activities.
Collect data on student performance to determine the effectiveness of the LA program as compared with previous semesters.
Receive support to implement active learning approaches in your classroom.
LAs are funded through the SCSE Dean's Office.
Applications open on February 10th and close on March 3rd at noon.
Student Benefits and Responsibilities
Attend a mandatory dinner (for all LAs) and training (for new LAs) on August 25th from 5:00-8:30 p.m.
Participate in a weekly pedagogy training session to learn more about active learning with your peers. You must be able to meet at one of the following times in the Fall 2025:
Wednesdays 3:00-3:50 p.m.
Wednesdays 4:00-4:50 p.m.
Thursdays 2:00-2:50 p.m.
Meet weekly with your faculty member to collaboratively prepare for the week's activities.
Attend lectures, labs, discussion sessions, etc (this varies from course to course) and help your peers be successful in active learning.
Help your faculty implement innovative and active learning in your courses.
Get paid $15.25/hour for 5-10 hours a week while reinforcing your understanding of your STEM knowledge.
Applications are due on Sunday, March 23rd by 11:59 pm.
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